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Watamu National Park

Watamu National Park is part of a complex of marine and tidal habitats on Kenya´s north coast stretching from Malindi town to beyond the entrance to Mida creek. It is enclosed by the Malindi Marine National Reserve which also encloses Malindi Marine National Park. Habitats include inter-tidal rock, sand and mud, fringing reefs and coral gardens, coral cliffs, platforms and islets, sandy beaches and Mida creek mangrove forest. The park was desingated as a Biosphere reserce in 1979.

Mida creek is a large, almost land locked expanse of saline water, mangrove and inter-tidal mud. Its extensive forests are gazetted as forest reserves and the extreme western tip of Mida Creek is part of the Arabuko Sokoke Forest reserve.

Location: North Coast, Malindi

Climatic conditions: Mumid with mean annual temperatures ranging from 22-34 C. Rainfall about 500mm per annum

Major Attraction: Haven of green turtle; unique coral garden; Mida creek

Wildlife: Reptiles/Fish: fish, turtles, Insects/arthopods: crabs

Acess:
Roads: Access is via tarmac road from Mombasa or Malindi
Air: Mombasa or Malindi Airports

Accomodation: There is no accomodtion within the reserve but a wide range of options exist in nearby Watamu town or Malindi town

Best time to Visit: All year round

Activities: Wind surfing, snorkeling, water skiing, sunbathing, diving