Mombasa Marine National Park

Overview

Mombasa Marine National Park and Reserve is a captivating aquatic sanctuary located in Mombasa, Kenya. The park covers an area of 10 square kilometers, while the larger reserve extends to 200 square kilometers, offering expansive protection to its diverse marine ecosystems.

The park features a vibrant tapestry of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests, each playing a crucial role in supporting a rich array of marine life. These habitats provide essential breeding grounds and shelter for a variety of marine species, including colorful reef fish, graceful rays, and elusive sea turtles.

Visitors to Mombasa Marine National Park and Reserve can explore these underwater marvels through activities like snorkeling and scuba diving, where they can experience the stunning beauty of the coral reefs and encounter a variety of marine creatures in their natural habitat. The mangroves and seagrass beds also offer opportunities for eco-friendly boat tours and birdwatching, as these areas are home to numerous avian species and offer a unique perspective on coastal ecology.

With its combination of vibrant coral reefs, lush mangrove forests, and expansive seagrass beds, Mombasa Marine National Park and Reserve is a must-visit destination for those seeking to immerse themselves in Kenya's rich marine biodiversity.

Park access

From within Kenya, visitors can travel to Mombasa by road. Mombasa is well-connected to other major cities and towns in Kenya via road networks. From Nairobi, the capital city, the journey to Mombasa takes approximately 6 to 8 hours by road, depending on traffic and road conditions.

Once in Mombasa, visitors can make their way to the coastal areas where Mombasa Marine Park is located. Public transportation options such as taxis, matatus (minibuses), and tuk-tuks (auto-rickshaws) are available for local travel within Mombasa.

Park gates

Upon arrival at the designated departure point, visitors typically check in with the boat operator or tour guide.
Visitors may need to pay any required fees, such as park entry fees or tour fees, and receive safety instructions before boarding the boat.

Park attractions

Snorkeling: Guided snorkeling tours allow visitors to explore the coral reefs and observe the marine life up close. Snorkelers can rent equipment or join organized tours led by experienced guides.

Scuba Diving: Certified divers can explore the deeper areas of the marine park through guided scuba diving excursions. Diving sites within the park offer opportunities to see coral formations, reef sharks, rays, and other marine creatures.

Glass-Bottom Boat Tours: For those who prefer to stay dry, glass-bottom boat tours provide an opportunity to view the underwater world from the comfort of the boat's transparent bottom. These tours offer a glimpse of the coral reefs and marine life without getting wet.

Boat Safaris: Boat safaris allow visitors to cruise along the coast and explore the mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and other coastal habitats. Boat tours may include opportunities to spot marine mammals such as dolphins and whales.

Park wildlife

The park is renowned for its vibrant coral reefs, which are among the most biodiverse in East Africa. The coral reefs support a rich variety of marine life, including colorful reef fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and other invertebrates. Visitors can explore the underwater world through snorkeling and scuba diving, encountering species such as parrotfish, butterflyfish, angelfish, and moray eels.
In addition to coral reefs, Mombasa Marine Park protects important seagrass beds and mangrove forests along the coast. These habitats provide nursery areas for fish and other marine species, as well as serving as feeding grounds for sea turtles, dugongs, and various bird species.