Sparkling sands, lush sea grass and emerald waters. These are just some of the amazing features of the oldest marine park on the African continent: Malindi Marine Park and Reserve.
An International Treasure
Not only does the park take precedence on a continental level, but in 1968, it also clinched the title of Kenya’s first marine protected area. Located on the Southeastern shores of the country, along the vast Indian Ocean, the reserve covers a whopping 213 km2 of land. It can be found on the South side of the coastal town of Malindi, and it neighbours other national treasures, including the famous Gede Ruins and the glorious Arabuko Sokoke Forest.
Towards the end of the 20th century, the importance of the reserve was recognised on a global level when it was included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves during the 1979 UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme. This means that Malindi Marine Park and Reserve is expected to preserve its biodiversity by ensuring the sustainable use of the area by human beings. As such, several rules have been put in place to protect the area including the illegality of fishing, coral reef mining, litter disposal and more.
A Diverse Ecosystem
As of 2023, there are more than 300 species of fish that have been discovered in this part of the sea – in part, due to the above stringent measures. These various fish range from reef sharks and jellyfish to parrotfish and sea cucumber. There are also mammals and reptiles like humpback dolphins and sea turtles, respectively. Malindi Marine Park and Reserve is also rich in other natural resources including living coral reef ecosystems which house marine life, and several species of birds.
With temperatures within the area ranging from 20 – 30 degrees Celsius, Malindi Marine Park makes for the perfect holiday destination. There are a range of activities on offer which allow human beings to appreciate the beauty of the area without damaging the natural environment. These include glass-bottom boat rides, scuba diving and snorkelling; all of which enable the up-close exploration of the reserve’s diverse underwater ecosystem. There could never be a dull moment as one can only marvel at the various colours, textures and patterns on display. Tourists are encouraged to explore from a safe distance and not touch anything to avoid either harming themselves or the marine life. Other popular activities include sunbathing on the pearly white beaches, birdwatching, or for the adrenaline junkies, windsurfing and water skiing.
Have you ever been to Malindi Marine Park and Reserve? What was your favourite part about it? Let us know in the comments.