Safari & Wildlife

Watamu Marine Park & Sudi Island Mangrove Forest Canoe Ride.With sea food lunch

AFRICAN NATIVES TOURS & TRANSFERS

Tour Operator

Detailed Description

Watamu Marine National Park sits about 100 kilometres north of Mombasa, and the effort of getting there is worth it for what you find: protected coral gardens in water that is genuinely clear rather than the murky visibility common along more trafficked stretches of coast, a mangrove forest on Sudi Island that you access only by canoe, and a reasonable chance of encountering sea turtles and dolphins in open water. African Natives Tours and Transfers runs this full-day excursion with a 4.25-star average from 32 reviewers, combining snorkelling, a mangrove canoe trip, and a seafood lunch into a 9.5-hour day. The day starts with a hotel pick-up in the early morning from your Mombasa or nearby accommodation, and the drive north along the Mombasa-Malindi road takes approximately 90 minutes through coastal lowland — coconut palms, small market towns, and stretches of baobab woodland that signal you're moving up the coast. Arriving at Watamu around 9:30am, you head directly to the marine park, where the snorkelling portion of the day begins. Watamu's coral system spans three bays of protected reef. The park designation means the coral has recovered better than most — you'll see table corals, brain corals, and sea fans alongside the fish that depend on them: parrotfish grazing the reef flat, grouper holding in the coral shadows, angelfish in pairs, and the occasional blacktip reef shark moving through the deeper blue beyond the reef edge. Crown-of-thorns starfish are visible on the seafloor; giant moray eels occupy the reef crevices. Snorkelling equipment is provided. Dolphins are a genuine possibility here, particularly in the channel between shore and outer reef, and sea turtle encounters happen regularly enough to be expected rather than hoped for. After the snorkelling, the itinerary moves to Sudi Island for a guided canoe trip into the mangrove forest. Moving through these channels at water level changes how you see the environment: the pneumatophore root systems rise from the water in dense thickets, the bird life overhead is active and varied — kingfishers, herons, and sunbirds are common — and the light filtering through the canopy creates a stillness that's distinct from the open-ocean energy of the morning. Your guide explains the mangrove's ecological role in coastal protection and fish nursery function. Seafood lunch is included and served at a local restaurant — fresh grilled fish and prawns from the Watamu coast, typically accompanied by rice and salad. The return drive brings you back to Mombasa by late afternoon. At KES 21,070 per person including transport, snorkelling equipment use, the guided canoe tour, all park fees, and lunch, this is a full coastal day that doesn't require choosing between reef and forest. Bring sunscreen (reef-safe where possible), a rash guard, and a waterproof bag for your phone and camera.

Itinerary

480 min

Stop 1

Our driver guide will picked you from your hotel or desired pick up point early in the morning,then drive North towards Watamu via the Mombasa Malindi rd.Its 100kilometers from Mombasa and it will take roughly one and a half hours to reach watamu. On your way you will be able see different land scape and plantations along the road. At around 9:30 am we arrive at the Marine park Watamu.Your driver will hand you over to the captain/guide who will make sure your marine park fees is paid, and then you will board a motorized 2 decor glass boat so you can lay on the top deck and bask in the sun or just relax on the lower deck and enjoy the underwater life as you cruise towards the Marine park.Your excursion will begin with dolphins sighting where your captain/guide will take you to the hot spots where according to his experience you will be able to see and swim with the dolphins, remember this is for the adventurous souls. Once the dolphins stop moving around you can put on your snorkeling equipment (to be provided on board) and jump into the ocean so you can get close up with the gentle creatures. After the mad fun, once again board the glass boat and continue towards the marine park. The Pristine white-sand beaches and reef-protected lagoons line the Watamu National Marine Park and Reserves, which are the oldest in East Africa and cover over 229 kmsq. It is one of the best kept secrets in the world with only the Great Barrier Reef itself having a bigger species list and that only in a far greater expanse! The marine protected area in Watamu is also recognized internationally as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This means that the area is designated as a site of natural excellence, and should demonstrate how local people and the environment can coexist through careful stewardship of our natural marine resources and human assets. The Marine Park and Reserve is renowned world wide for its natural beauty and boasts a rich marine life. It is virtually impossible to snorkel without seeing at least a few dozen species inside the main reef; divers outside the fringe reef stand an excellent chance of viewing the magnificent whale shark and Manta Rays that are seasonal visitors. November is best for spotting these animals. The Park is also home to three species of sea turtle who also nest on the Marine Park beaches. The Park and its coral gardens are one of the main justifications for visiting Watamu. Some of the more commonly seen fish include of course the parrot fish, whose digestion of the coral reefs over the millennia, have produced the white sand beach itself. Angelfish, groupers, file fish, lion fish and snappers are just a handful of the easily seen species within this superb, brightly colored underwater world. One of the best routes your captain is going to follow in this for exploration is a gentle cruise to the Larder in Turtle Bay. Head out in between the two rocky islands directly south of the KWS Blue Bay HQ. As the glass boat floats gently over the eroded coral ledges, there are numerous damsel fish, young butterfly and angelfish, morays, groupers and octopus. Through the seagrass pass you'll find blue spotted rays, mullet and snappers. Once you get to the edge of the grass area, around 100metres out, turn right and follow the grass edge along its contour line. After about 100m you'll find the Larder to your left; a series of 6 or so large coral heads which are the home of hundreds of sweetlips, snappers and drummer fish. You'll also find lion fish and crocodile fish if you look closely. Another bonus here are the large barracuda which hang around near the seabed in large groups. They are nocturnal feeders and sleep during the day so are easy to approach. There is an exceptional shoreline with Watamu voted one of the top ten beaches in the world; steeped in natural fauna and flora and with three stunning bays, Watamu, Blue Lagoon and Turtle Bay. Here you will also be allowed to get into the ocean for snorkeling and shallow diving into the ocean floor to see the magnificent coral caves hidden under the blue water.Get a chance to swim and touch hundreds of schools of fish and turtles After snorkeling next stop will be amazing, white sandy beach with crystal clear blue waters where you will be allowed to step off the boat for a swim on this magical waters for a while before returning to the boat and sail off to sudi island while enjoying the lush green mangroves along the creek side. At around -1:00pm we will arrive at Sudi island where you will receive a warm welcome to the island followed by a little entertainment from the natives. The captain and his crew will then quickly start preparing for where they will grill and serve fresh and delicious sea food with varieties like ; lobsters,king fish,baracuda,and crabs etc(chicken is available for these who don’t eat seafood).. After lunch you can choose to take a canoe ride into mangrove forest on the island with a guide and learn a little history about the island and the creatures found there For these who choose to remain on the island can take the opportunity to swim on the islands shores or just busk in the sun and take photos.Take some time and capture your last moments on the sandy beaches. Enjoy your last moments at the island and its environment. At 4:30 its time to board the boat and head back to mainland where your driver will be waiting to drive you back to your hotel or desired drop off point in time for dinner. End of our program!!