The Malindi Marine National Park covers a stretch of Indian Ocean just south of Malindi town, protecting coral reefs, seagrass beds, and the creatures that depend on them. Snorkelling and diving here reveal a dense community of reef fish — parrotfish, angelfish, lionfish, hawksbill turtles — in water that can be startlingly clear when the Galana River is running low.
Glass-bottom boat trips are the most common way to visit and can be arranged through hotels or directly with boat operators on the beach. Snorkelling gear can be hired. The best visibility is during the dry seasons (January to March and July to October) — the short and long rains stir up sediment from the river mouth. Whale sharks occasionally appear offshore in February and March. Fishing is prohibited within the park boundaries.