KIUNGA MARINE NATIONAL RESERVE

An Enchanted Underwater World

Further north along Kenya’s spectacular Indian Ocean coast is the Kiunga Marine National Reserve. This pristine ecosystem incorporates a chain of about 50 calcareous offshore islands and coral reefs in the Lamu Archipelago. Visitors can view the teeming sea life in the coral reefs, seagrass, and extensive mangrove forests which are a refuge for sea turtles and dugongs. The reserve provides ideal opportunities for windsurfing, diving and snorkeling, water skiing, and sunbathing. Some of the marine life that thrive in the area include sea turtles, leatherback turtles, reef fish species, lobsters, sea urchins, and crabs. The park covers an area with approximately 50 islands and coral reefs in the Lamu Archipelago. It borders the Boni and Dodori National Reserves.The Coast is humid with mean annual temperatures ranging from 22 to 34 °C. Rainfall is about 500 mm/year. It is located at an altitude of 30 meters above MSL. The outer islands of the Reserve host many seabirds. Species nesting here include roseate tern, sooty gull, white-cheeked tern, bridled tern, and brown node.