Malindi Marine National Reserve

The Malindi Marine National Reserve covers an area of 213 kilometres squared, and stretches from a 30 metre wide strip inland above the high water mark to 4.5 kilometres out into the Indian Ocean. It's northern boundary is just south of Malindi town at Vasco da Gama Pillar, and its southern boundary reaches the southern edge of Mida Creek.

Within this reserve are both the Malindi Marine National Park (6 kilometres squared) and the Watamu Marine National Park (2 kilometres sqaured).

The best times to visit the reserve and national parks is during the drier seasons of the year. As the monsoon brings two main rainy seasons in April/May and October; run off from the Sabaki River can cause excess siltation in the water - and make for poorer visibility in the ocean. Rainy seasons may also lead to rougher seas, and less sunlight - both worsening the quality of snorkelling or diving.