With an international reputation for its white sandy beaches and reef protected lagoons with abundant fish life and spellbinding coral gardens, Watamu Marine Park and Reserve is an excellent example of a pristine, marine protected area. Located on Kenya’s north coast, the Protected Area is home to Kenya’s famous ‘Marine Big Five’s’; sea turtles, whale sharks, dolphins, whales and billfish. It hosts the humpback whale migration, the marine part of the double natural phenomena, which occurs simultaneous to the annual wildebeest migration dubbed “The Twin Migration”.
The marine park and reserve encompass the Mida creek mangrove forest where young corals begin their existence before the tides take it out to the reefs beyond. The forest roots are rich in fish, crabs, prawns and oysters. Tewa caves near the mouth of the creek are partly underwater where giant groupers coexist with many other tropical species. On the mainland, giant monitor lizards, Dik dik, mongoose and monkey species are present.
The coral reefs are home to over 140 species of hard and soft corals. Their symbiotic relationship with the chlorophyll generating plants give the corals their spectacular nighttime phosphorescent colors. Being biodiversity strongholds, the reefs provide breeding grounds for fish and other marine life, a vital barrier against the force of the sea, protecting marine organisms and tourist recreation; they keep out dangerous sharks common in the deeper waters. Their color and the exotic coral fish, they support and provide a major attraction for tourists. The historic Gede Ruins in Watamu offer an interesting excursion.
