Malindi - Watamu Beaches

Watamu S.C.U.B.A. diving sites:
The dive sites are 10-20 minutes boat ride from the base. There are approximately 18 dive sites, all of which are buoyed to prevent damage caused by anchors.

A brief introduction to our fabulous diving area:

Most of the diving sites are just outside the main fringing coral reefs that protect Turtle Bay, the name of the bay in which the diving centre is located. All are within the jurisdiction of Kenya Wildlife Service, and are protected areas, either as National Marine Parks or National Marine Reserves.

Within Turtle Bay there is Turtle Reef, 10-15 metres deep. Here are many large coral heads, the haunt of shoals of larger parrot fish, surgeon fish, unicorn fish and a few resident whitetip reef sharks. Green turtles are also seen here if you are lucky.  The other attraction within the lagoon where beginners get to dive early on in their course is the Coral Gardens. Here it is easy to see hundreds of species of fish, and to familiarise yourself with the sea and swimming with all the new equipment!

The main places are described in detail below…

MORAY REEF

This site is the home of 'George' the semi-tame giant moray! The buoy line is tied off at a depth of 9-11 metres, near the top of the reef. The drop off is a short swim away, during which, you are lkely to spot octopus, several smaller species of moray, scorpion fish & crocodile fish.

The reef, which is encrusted with a wide variety of hard & soft coral, drops off to a sandy bottom at 28-30 metres. George's haunt is half way down the drop off, amongst the overhangs, which also house various other reef creatures - such as leaf fish, stone fish, nudibranchs & perhaps if you are fortunate- frog fish!

The dive will take you either north or south of here, along the edge of the reef which is alive with various species of reef fish such as angel fish, butterfly fish, groupers, tangs.

It is also possible to see large honeycomb morays, lobsters, turtles and the larger pelagics such as kingfish, barracuda, rays, napoleon wrasse etc.. (adjoining dive sites - north moray & cracas)

THE CANYON

The Canyon is a wonderful divesite combining deep drop-offs with coral gardens, overhangs and an arch.

The buoy line here is tied off at a depth of 11-13 metres at the edge of the drop off which descends to a depth of 26-28 metres. Here there are a series of overhangs and an arch filled with glass fish and soft corals, underneath which you are likely to see an uncommon creature - the ribbon eel. South of the buoy is the'canyon' itself - a sandy channel with steep drop offs on two sides.

 At certain times of the year it is possible to see black or white tipped reef sharks lying in the sand at the bottom of the'canyon, or large groupers & rays cruising down the channel. The reef on the other side is alive with large schools of trevallies, fuseliers, snappers, spade fish or sometimes, something larger passing by in the deep water! On the top of this reef is a prolific 'coral garden', where it is often possible to see turtles. (adjoining dive sites - north canyon, south canyon and dolphin point)

BRAIN CORAL

This dive site is named after a very large piece of 'rose' coral (!) which is situated next to the buoy line at a depth of 11-13 metres.

The 'rose' coral is home to many different species of marine life - octopus, scorpion fish, lion fish, nudibranchs - to name a few! The reef slopes down gently on either side of the 'rose' coral to a depth of 13-15 metres on the landward side & 21-23 metres on the seaward side. In the channel on the north side of the coral, the sand is 'alive' with garden / sand eels & you can also occasionally see blue spotted & thorn-tail rays.

South of the buoy is a beautiful example of the vivid pinky-red 'fire' anemone. Further south are several overhangs laden with white & yellow soft corals which play host to many of the smaller species of marine life. Here you will also swim through vast 'clouds' of anthias (jewel fish) & glass fish - it is not unusual to be caught amongst these fish when huge schools of trevally and emperor fish power their way through in their quest for food.

 It is also here that we have had most of our underwater dolphin 'experiences' - though these are not a common occurrence!

There are often sightings of turtles & large napoleon wrasse in this vicinity. (adjoining dive sites - deep place & south deep place)

DRUMMERS REEF

This is a shallow diving site, suitable for beginners or a second dive of the day. The buoy line is tied off at the edge of a shallow sandy channel at a depth of 9-11 metres. A careful look around the sandy channel (dotted with coral heads) will reveal blue-spotted rays, moses sole, false stonefish, crocodile fish & the occasional larger ray.

         
The seaward side of the sandy channel drops down over a series of overhangs to a sandy bottom at 26-28 metres.  Here it is possible to see lion fish, morays, scorpion fish, leaf fish, turtles, napoleon wrasse and occasionaly dolphins, mantas or other pelagic rays. The landward side of the sandy channel is surrounded by a profusion of eye-catching hard corals such as staghorn coral, boulder corals, table corals etc. Here you are also likely to encounter turtles and maybe a passing barracuda.

MIDA WRECK

The Mida wreck is an ex-shrimp trawler. Because the wreck is close to the mouth of the salt water Mida Creek there are substantial tidal water movements around the wreck so dives can only take place at high neap tides. It is a small (20+ metres), steel hulled trawler, which lies on it's side in sand at a depth of approximately 14 metres - making this an ideal dive for those who have never visited a wreck before.

The boat went down in about 1988, & it is interesting to note the coral growth & the marine life that has established itself here since it sank. You will see snappers, sweepers, leaf fish, lobster, scorpion fish, stone fish, octopus etc. It is also possible to see large grouper lurking in the old refrigeration rooms. The wreck is not suitable for penetration.

GENERAL RATES:

Basic dive charges include tank & weights.  Equipment is available for hire at an additional cost.

1. 1 DIVE ON WATAMU REEF US$
2. 1 NIGHT DIVE – US$
3. 1 WRECK DIVE – US$
4. DIVING SAFARI - (1 DAY) - KILIFI CAVE & REEF DIVING – US$
5. DIVING SAFARI - (7 DAYS) TANZANIA LIVEABOARD - US$

DIVING PACKAGES - (INCLUDING TANKS & WEIGHTS)

1. 3 DIVES – US$  
2. 6 DIVES – US$
3. 10 DIVES – US$

SURCHARGES – US$ FOR NIGHT DIVES & US$  FOR A WRECK DIVE
(10% DISCOUNT: 10 DIVE PACK - 20% DISCOUNT: 20 DIVES )

EQUIPMENT RENTAL PER DIVE

1. MASK – US$
2. FINS – US$
3. REGULATOR WITH OCTOPUS, DEPTH & PRESSURE GAUGE US$
4. BUOYANCY JACKET WITH AUTOMATIC INFLATOR US$
5. WET SUIT - SHORT US$ 
6. WET SUIT LONG US$
7. TORCHES - MAIN & BACK UP – US$

PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE & DO NOT INCLUDE THE COST OF PARK FEES AT $5 PER DAY

DIVING COURSES
Internationally recognized qualifications in the following:

• Padi Scuba Diver 3days / 2 dives US$
• Open Water Diver 4 days / 4 dives US$
• Advanced Open Water 3 days / 5 dives US$
• Open Water + Advanced Course Package US$
• Emergency First Response 2 days US$
• Rescue Diver 4-5 days US$ 
• Rescue Diver + EFR 6-7 days US$
• Divemaster 2 weeks US$

The above courses are based on the PADI system, & the price includes tuition, full equipment, boat transport, full certification procedure and log book.

MISCELLANEOUS:

• Discover Scuba Diving 1 day / 1 dive US$
• Experienced Diver Programme 3-4 days US$
• Refresher/ Scuba Review pool & theory US$
• Open Water Referral pool checks  US$  
• Open Water Referral dives (each) US$

*PLUS Open Water Referral Personal Identity Card US$

(Not included: Park entry fees at $5 per day)

Excursions
Scuba diving in caves must be one of the most exciting diving adventures to be had. The deep, dark corners of the caves hide huge groupers up to 300kgs - quite a stunning sight! The divers go down to Kilifi, some 45kms from Watamu, early in the morning (we can organise the transport to Kilifi at an extra cost) to meet the boat at Swynfords Boat yard in Kilifi Creek. The first dive site is approximately 40 minutes boat ride away and is at VUMA CAVES.

The caves are at the bottom of some shoreline cliffs, where you descend to a sandy bottom at approximately 20 metres, swim along the reef for a bit looking at the reef fish, and not forgetting to look out to the deep sea where you may have a chance to glimpse dolphins, sharks, barracuda etc. After entering the caves you may come accross large groupers & snappers 'lurking' towards the back! You can then swim up a 'chimmney' and emerge on the top of the reef at approximately 10 metres.

After the Vuma caves dive you will have at least a one hour surface interval on the boat, before diving on one of the many outer reef dive sites, such as Barracuda Reef. On the outer reef it is possible to see a multitude of the usual reef fish ( angel fish, buttefly fish, snappers, groupers etc.) as well as Turtles, Barracuda and the occasional Whale Shark!