Watamu National Marine Park
Watamu National Marine Park
4.5
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Duration: More than 3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
643 reviews
Excellent
401
Very good
168
Average
46
Poor
15
Terrible
13
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JG_137
Nairobi, Kenya46 contributions
Jan 2022 • Solo
Not a place where you can snorkel from the beach, I went at low tide, walked around, swam around, came across little but acres of seaweed, sometimes stinking rotting seaweed, and one solitary clownfish. Very generic tours here are sold by some 100x ‘captains’ around town. The one I went on promised dolphins and snorkelling. Dolphins are nice though chased by about 3-4 boats, you’ll see mostly fins and backs from 100 m away. Snorkelling was majorly disappointing…the boat didn’t have enough snorkels to go around, we stayed at the site for only 20 minutes, there was nothing of note in the water (full brown coral, a couple butterflyfish and one parrotfish…that was it). Guess I should’ve booked a trip through a dive shop but from the rave reviews on the Internet I had the impression Watamu marine park was teeming with accessible wildlife.
Written January 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Giorgia
4 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
We stayed a week in March 2024 at the Jacaranda beach resort, we had a great time. Also thanks to some guys, called beach boys, we met on the beach, in particular Stefano, a super helpful guy who gave us incredible experiences. The first day at low tide he took us to these wonderful strips of sand that are created in the ocean and showed us the starfish, urchins and puffer fish, then with him we did the 1 day safari in Tsavo East National Park with the Jeep where we saw many animals in the wild and the blue safari where we saw incredible places and ate excellent quality lobsters, prawns and swordfish, the flavor is truly unique. We also took some souvenirs from him made of wood and engraved with our names. Stefano made our holiday even more special and unique thanks to all his wonderful precautions. I'll leave you my WhatsApp contact in case you happen to take a holiday there +254 735 888498, I absolutely recommend it.
Written March 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travel228235
Kiel, Germany3 contributions
Feb 2021 • Friends
I drove from Malindi to Watamu to go snorkeling. If you have been on some great places in the world freediving and snorkling... It’s absolutely not worth it!! I think it’s never a good sign if they have to through bread into the water. You see a few fish, but it's far from being amazing.
Written February 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aleksandra B
Amman, Jordan173 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
We are a family with two young kids and a teenager and we all love Watamu.
Some of the reasons are the beach and the rich marine life.
Even though we visit Watamu quite often, we never get bored of finding all sorts of “sea creatures” once the tide is low.
Deep sea sports fishing is another great thing you can do there and be almost sure that you will catch at least 1 big fish.
We also like it because we never get harassed there by so called Beach Boys.
We can swim, sunbathe, build wonderful sand castles and never get bored.
Some of the reasons are the beach and the rich marine life.
Even though we visit Watamu quite often, we never get bored of finding all sorts of “sea creatures” once the tide is low.
Deep sea sports fishing is another great thing you can do there and be almost sure that you will catch at least 1 big fish.
We also like it because we never get harassed there by so called Beach Boys.
We can swim, sunbathe, build wonderful sand castles and never get bored.
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sara D
Italy49 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Fantastic experience thanks to Polenta Usei (+254758882147) and Ebo who from Watamu beach will take you by boat to see the dolphins and swim with the colorful fish of the coral reef. I recommend this experience to all lovers of snorkeling and the marine ecosystem.
The excursion is also suitable for children
Finally the boat tour ends in the mangrove forest with a lunch of lobsters and grilled fish (very good)
Polenta and Ebo are kind-hearted, serious and reliable people who will make you experience unique emotions. You can contact him from Italy and arrange all excursions with him at advantageous prices.
The excursion is also suitable for children
Finally the boat tour ends in the mangrove forest with a lunch of lobsters and grilled fish (very good)
Polenta and Ebo are kind-hearted, serious and reliable people who will make you experience unique emotions. You can contact him from Italy and arrange all excursions with him at advantageous prices.
Written February 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caroline L
21 contributions
Nov 2020
One of my favourite places on earth - the sandy white beach is gorgeous and the park teeming with life. But on this trip I collected 25 sacks of plastic along the high tide mark. I know it is a Sisyphean task, but it has to be done (on one morning alone I saw two dead turtles on the beach) - and no one seems to be showing any inclination to keep on top of the huge problem. One would think that the many hawkers, beach boys and coconut sellers would understand by now that it is in their best interests to keep their "office" clear. But no. I actually saw one fellow just dump the debris from his picnic at the high tide mark..sigh.
Written November 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GIOVANNA
5 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
This summer in July 2024, we stayed with our children aged 6 and 14 in Kenya and stayed in Watamu at Cristal Bay on Watamu's most beautiful Marine Park. You can admire the island of love and the huge cliffs that make the view extraordinary. To discover the beauty of that sea do it together with the beach boys. We relied on the beach boys Felice, who in addition to being a good guy, has a great desire to work and get to know newcomers, so do not be afraid of beach boys. Felice also offers excursion service, trust that its prices are much lower than those of the Resort. It was very reliable and helpful!
Automatically translated
Written August 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Valentine M
7 contributions
May 2021 • Family
Have been in October 2020 and May 2021. In May the weather is not so favourable as the fish and dolphins are not easily seen. Despite the choppy waters, we were able to see fish during the May visit. Kiddo got sea sick but all in all it was an amazing experience
Written May 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Claudia
64 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
Magnificent week in Kenya in Watamu. Beautiful beach and sea characterized by the tides. I made all the excursions with Carriola which I recommend to everyone.
Safari, Blue Safari, Love Island, aperitif at sunset with mangroves.
I leave you Carriola's contact details: +254 705 242 361 and some photos so you can contact him before leaving and I assure you that it will be unforgettable.
Safari, Blue Safari, Love Island, aperitif at sunset with mangroves.
I leave you Carriola's contact details: +254 705 242 361 and some photos so you can contact him before leaving and I assure you that it will be unforgettable.
Written March 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Isabella221
Kilifi, Kenya4 contributions
Jan 2023
snorkeling here is a sad experience. too many boats and people all getting off in the same place. Tour operators tossing bread into the water even when they are not supposed to. Coral is getting destroyed. This is unnatural and sad for the environment,. KWS should be doing a better job monitoring this situation
Written February 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If it worth the trip from Mombasa to the marine park - was looking at an organised trip that included pick up from our hotel and option of a canoe trip around the mangroves. Feel it could be a long drive.
Written August 6, 2022
Is it possible to see whales here in June?
Written May 4, 2019
Vvery difficult to see Whales in June and July and seas are choppier... Best season is to see the migration of Whales from mid August to mid September
Written May 6, 2019
Ad Agosto è possibile fare snorkeling ed effettuare i safari blu? Oppure non è il periodo ideale? Inoltre c è la possibilità di nuotare con i delfini in tale periodo (settimane centrali di agosto)?
Written September 23, 2018
Io a settembre delfini zero ... periodo ideale è dicembre !!!! Ottobre e novembre possono andare bene ... safari blu fatto è una meraviglia!!!
Written September 24, 2018
Vincenzosicily3
Palermo, Italy
Ciao a tutti io sarò a Watamu settembre 2018 avrei bisogno di qualche piccola dritta ho già prenotato il viaggio è l'appartamento che sarebbe quello di Bati charo e Marina Adesso mi manca a delineare il safari e le escursioni a chi posso affidarmi? Come posso strutturare entrambe le cose? Da premettere che vorrei fare 3/4 giorni di Safari e la vacanza durerà sui 12 giorni..
Written November 27, 2017
Ciao,io e la mia famiglia nudismo spesso a watamu,almeno una volta l’anno tutti e 4,bimbo di 3 anni compreso e ci affidiamo sempre alla stessa agenzia e allo stesso ragazzo:kaingu mwaringa +254 798 653 258. È onesto,gentile e parla bene italiano. Ha una pag Facebook anche kaingu Safari
Written December 12, 2017
Jambo!! I'm planning spend this sunday at Watamu park, I read the entrance is 200ksh but what about the activities there?, like snnorkeling.
Written August 5, 2016
Emmah , this depends on whether you are a resident or non-resident.Non-residents is around 200 Kshs / 2 $ . Go to the KWS Website , watamu marine park reserve , then click park entry fees
Written November 11, 2015
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