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Best 7 Reasons To Visit Mombasa Marine Park In Kenya
The best 7 reasons to visit Mombasa Marine park in Kenya are; coral reefs, marine/ aquatic life, snorkeling, diving, sun bathing, boat rides and beach life. This park is exceptionally beautiful with white sandy beaches and naturally warm ocean currents. Did you know that it is possible to love everything within sight as much as you love yourself? Mombasa Marine Park is more than willing to have you drop your jaw in awe countless times.
This Park is located in Mombasa, Kenya on the coast near areas which attract hundreds and thousands of tourists from different corners of the world all year long. For this reason, it is no surprise that she is the most popular of the protected marine areas. Mombasa Marine Park is made up of a National Park and a National reserve which occupy 4 square miles and 80 square miles respectively.
It is also strategically located between two creeks (Mtwapa and Tudor) making it accessible and a favorite go-to spot for surfers, snorkelers, scuba divers and marine life researchers. Mombasa Marine Park is home to various marine species such as turtles, crabs, star fish, jelly fish, octopus, sea cucumber and migratory birds like the crab plovers among others.
It is also blessed with clear blue waters and astonishing coral reefs of unique colors and shapes. These are the best 5 reasons to visit Mombasa Marine Park;
1. Coral Reefs at Mombasa Marine National Park
The beautiful but fragile coral reef occupies 230km of the Kenyan coast. It is a source of food and shelter for close to a million different marine species hence plays a great role in boosting the marine eco system. The reef comes in various striking colors, unique shapes and sizes which are so lovely to look at. A few of their names are; the acropora coral, the brain coral, open-branched stag’s horn coral and so many other interesting names. Remember to move with your camera because you would not want to miss any part of the coral reefs.
2. Marine/Aquatic Life at Mombasa Marine National Park
A variety of marine life thrives so well in the perfect condition at the park. Some of these include; octopuses, crabs, sea urchins, jelly fish, star fish and so many other species. Sightings have been made of even larger marine life at the park, these include; various types of sea turtles, sharks, dolphins, sting rays and among others. You can actually watch baby turtles as they hatch on the beach during the breeding season at the park.
3. Snorkeling at Mombasa Marine National Park
Snorkeling is really entertaining for both the by-standers (spectators) and swimmers which has put the park on the bucket list of hundreds of people. This activity usually takes place within the confines of the reef, it involves swimmers admiring and looking at sea treasures and other marine life like dolphins, sea turtles, corals among other things from within the water while wearing breathing tubes and googles. The clear water makes it easy for snorkelers to see properly while under water. The park hires out the necessary snorkeling gear to the interested tourists. It is a fun packed activity which you should try out to be honest.
4. Diving at Mombasa Marine National Park
Mombasa Marine National Park is strategically located which makes it easily accessible to everyone. With one of the best diving sites in the world, tourists and diving enthusiasts from all over the globe visit the park to get the thrill of it. The beautiful blue warm water alone is enough to make you want to dive in even if you had not planned to.
Diving at the park usually happens outside the reef, you get to explore and observe several fish species of all sizes such as big sharks and whales alongside smaller fish like parrot fish and surgeon fish. Professional divers are always around to assist and come to the aid of whoever needs it. You to will find this temptation very hard to resist.
Snorkeling and diving are actually related because they are both fun activities that will add an extra thrill to your visit whenever you decide to come to the park, it is an amazing way to relax away from your usual busy work schedule.
5. Sun Bathing at Mombasa Marine National Park
This is simply lying on the beautiful white sandy beach while enjoying the warm sunshine as it tans the body. After wet activities like diving and snorkeling, sun bathing is a great way to dry up.
6. Boat Cruise at Mombasa Marine National Park
This exciting activity is done while on a boat, some boats have transparent bases to make viewing of several marine species possible. Corals, fish, sea turtles, octopuses and many others are in full view by tourists as they cruise away. Packed lunch is provided for all the boat occupants to enjoy when it is lunch time. I am so certain that you do not want to miss out.
7. Bird Watching (Birding) at Mombasa Marine National Park
There are many bird species at the park especially water birds like sea gulls and pelicans, these too can be spotted when cruising on the boat.
When To Visit Mombasa Marine National Park
The park is accessible throughout the year, but the perfect time to visit depends on your activity of interest for example; October to March is idea for snorkelers and scuba divers while June to December is spot on timing for watching the migration of Humpback wells.
How To Access Mombasa Marine Park in Kenya
By Road
Since the park is in Mombasa which is about 487km from Nairobi(Kenya’s capital city) it can be accessed by road from Mombasa in either public or private means.
By Water
The park can also be accessed using boats that come from any of the places around the beach, some of these places include hotels like; Serena Hotel.
Accommodation/ Where To Stay At Mombasa Marine National Park
This simply means sleeping arrangements of guests and tourists who are going to tour the park. This is provided in three classes for example; Luxury, Mid-range and Budget accommodation. Most of them are found in areas neighboring the park.
Luxury Accommodation at Mombasa Marine Park
This targets high class tourists who are willing to spend as much as possible without the limit of a budget. Examples include;
- Sarova White sands Beach Hotel and Spa, It is amongst the best hotels, it is pet friendly and has a guest bar and lounge area for you to enjoy.
- Cowrie Shells Beach Apartments, this has a restaurant, bar, gardens and an out-door pool together with friendly staff members.
- Swahili Beach Resort; This is near Diani beach, has excellent services and is rated as fabulous as the general review.
- Baobab Beach Resort and Spa; This has a very good general from former guests and it is near Diani beach.
Mid-Range Accommodation at Mombasa Marine Park
This has places for clients who can spend a bit but not as extravagantly as the luxurious ones. Examples include;
- Southern Palms Beach Resort; It offers good services with an exceptional pool bar for you to enjoy.
- Voyager Beach Resort; This too offers fabulous services and has 3 restaurants which are accessible 24 hours a day (It ranges between Mid-range to Luxury).
- Hotel English Point Marina & Spa; Guests gave credit to the general cleanliness of the place, the service is good and they have an out door pool.
- Azul Margarita Beach Resort; It has an out door pool and offers good services to its clients.
Budget Accommodation at Mombasa Marine Park
This is the most affordable and cheapest accommodation class. It is for clients who do not want to spend at all because they are within a vey tight budget. Examples of places within this class include;
- Mali Guest House; This place offers breakfast and has simple rooms with TVs. It is fairly cheap and affordable.
- Akogo House (Hostel and Backpackers); It is a 2-star hotel with good African decorations in the rooms with free breakfast, Wi-Fi and other services.
- Cingaki Hotel; It is a smoke-free hotel with a restaurant, a 24 hours dry cleaning and other good services.
- Tulia House Backpackers; They have basic rooms, an out door pool and restaurant.
Regardless of where you want to stay while in Mombasa on Planned Safari to this park, please endeavor to book for your stay at least a month or two before you come. Online bookings, consultation and even counseling bookings are all possible. This will save your time and actually secure your spot. Those places usually run out of space because so many people enjoy touring.
My Conclusion About Mombasa Marine Park
Other than the best 7 reasons to visit Mombasa Marine Park, please make it a point to visit the lovely park in person, the warm ocean current, colorful coral reefs, breath-taking sights like the pearly white sand and clear blue waters are clearly calling out your name so that they can show you what great mood boosters they truly are.
Your visit will be an unforgettable experience, do not forget to bring your loved ones a long. A well organized group of tour guides Like Kubwa Five Safaris awaits you to show you around, book a tour with them.