National Park
Mombasa Marine National Park
Kenya 10 km² (4 mi²) Est. 1986
About Mombasa Marine National Park
Mombasa Marine National Park protects a stretch of coral reef and seagrass habitat along the north coast of Mombasa, Kenya's second-largest city. The most accessible of Kenya's marine parks, it offers convenient reef snorkelling and diving just minutes from the popular Nyali and Bamburi beach hotels.
Covering 10 square kilometres of protected ocean, the park's coral formations support a colourful array of tropical fish, sea urchins, starfish, and occasional dolphins and sea turtles. While not as pristine as more remote marine parks like Kisite or Watamu, Mombasa Marine Park provides an easy and affordable introduction to Kenya's underwater world for beach holidaymakers.
0
Safari Tours
3.3
Avg Rating
40
Years Protected
Highlights
- Most accessible marine park in Kenya — minutes from Mombasa hotels
- Easy snorkelling for families and beginners
- Affordable entry fees and boat trips
- Can be combined with Mombasa city sightseeing
- Good introduction to Kenya's marine ecosystems
Considerations
- Less pristine than remote marine parks (Watamu, Kisite)
- Proximity to Mombasa means higher pollution levels
- Coral health affected by urban runoff
- Can be crowded with beach resort day-trippers
Wildlife
Big Five Status
🦁
Lion
Not present
🐆
Leopard
Not present
🐘
Elephant
Not present
🦬
Buffalo
Not present
🦏
Rhino
Not present
Notable Species
Monitor Lizard
Occasional
Whale Shark
Rare
Bottlenose Dolphin
Occasional
Green Sea Turtle
Common
Common Occasional Rare
Best Time to Visit
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Peak Season Good Time Less Ideal
Climate Overview
Getting There
Mombasa Marine Park is directly off the Nyali and Bamburi beaches in Mombasa, accessed by short boat ride from the beach. Most Mombasa beach hotels can arrange snorkelling trips to the park. Moi International Airport is 15 km away.
Nearest Airport
Moi International Airport
Nearest City
Mombasa
Drive Time
0.3 hours