MOMBASA MARINE NATIONAL PARK.
Mombasa Marine National Park is situated at the coast of the Indian Ocean and its protected under the Kenya World Life Authority. This national park is mostly known for offering aquatic safaris in Kenya as tourist destination. The national park was established in early 1987 with the aim of conserving the aquatic life in Kenya. The park was divided into sectors because of different aquatic life. The park is bordered by magnificent beaches such as, Bamburi Beach, Shanzu, Kenyatta public beach, Nyali beach and others. this national park is among the busiest national parks in Kenya mostly the offshore ones.
Mombasa Marine National Park is famous for protecting the Mangrove, Seagrass Beds, Sandy beaches, and the coral reefs. The park is also credited for the incredible activities like diving, fishing, and many activities.
Location and length
The park covers an area of 210 km2 divide into various sections that is to say the Marine sector covers an area of 10km and reserving the other 200km for other activities. The park lies between Mtwapa and Tudor creeks is the park receives a lot of visitors who are mostly aquatic lovers and the blue waters, coconut palms, white sand and the rare coral reefs and the park is found in the South East of Nairobi.
Some of the park’s attractions
Birds: This National Park is has a variety of birds at the sea, which are important and loved by many visitors and researchers. Some of these rare birds include, crab plovers and roseate terns.
Vegetation: there is beautiful water vegetation with unique formation. Some of these include the seagrasses, marine algae that are rare and enjoyed by visitors who came here.
Sea features: Some of these features include the rare coral reefs that adds beauty and value to this place. They also play a big role in ecosystem of the ocean. Some of the coral reefs include, brain coral, Pavona coral, Favia, Acropora coral Open branched, horn and others.
Those enjoying watching turtle this could be your chance too in case you visit the park when the turtles are breeding, these move slowly lay their eggs in the sand and hatching for takes 60 weeks.
Marine life: This is among the of the marine parks at the India ocean that supports much marine life. some of the marine life include, crabs, turtles, starfish, urchins, jellyfish, sea cucumbers, sea horses, crabs and many others. Here exists larger marine life like sharks, rays, turtles, and others. Divers can get a chance of seeing most of the marine life while they can also be seen through a glass boat without diving
Activities at Mombasa Marine National Park.
Diving.
This among the most interesting activities taking place at this park because it gives a direct view for the marine animal view. Kenya is among the top countries for diving area worldwide. Single and double dive is allowed. Here diving is categorized into three that’s beginners, experience and wreck dive depending on the depth of the diver the beginner will stop at the coral reefs while experienced will take until 65 feet deep and the wreck will go to MV Dania which ranges from 82 to 115 feet deep. Here, a lot of aquatic life is seen under the water depending on how far the diver has gone.
Snorkeling: On such safari, you sail on a glass bottom boat on the Indian ocean. Here, visitors also getting the chance of seeing Aquatic life including the marine animals, coral reefs and many others without even getting wet with water.
Sunbathing
Sunbathing here takes place on the sandy beaches along the shores of the Indian ocean where visitors get to enjoy the warm sun rays and beautiful breeze at the ocean.
Some of other activities include, water skiing, windsurfing, and boat trips.
When to visit the Mombasa Marine National Park.
Visiting the Mombasa National Park will depend on what the visitor wants because the park is open throughout the year but in case the visitor wants to see the humpback whale, the period of June, to December is the best time. From the month of August-October, that’s when the yellowfin is seen and from December to march the best time to view the three species of marlin. For the divers, the northeast wind that blow from November to March, the southeastern monsoon wind that blow from April to October may limit the activity.
ACCOMODATION
While on Mombasa Marine safari, accommodation shouldn’t be among your worries. There are various hotels that offer a variety of enmities like bedding foods and beverages of any kind. Some of the accommodation facilities include, Mombasa continental Resort, Mombasa Marine Campsite, Hotel English Point.
NOTE: because the accommodation is divided into luxury medium and budget accusations, visitors on the budget accommodation are informed that between the month of December and the first three weeks of November this could be the best time because the prices are reduced. DIRECTIONS TO MOMBASA MARINE NATIONAL PARK
This national park can be reached by road via Mombasa city center which is 487 kilometers from Nairobi. From here you can hire a boat to the park there are also various entry points, through the Serena Hotel, Severin Gate on the beach, and many others.
