NAIROBI - Watamu & Malindi

Nairobi. At just a metre deep, this isn't about pushing your depth limits. It’s about history you can practically touch. The old steam trawler, a Castle-class minesweeper from WW1, went down in 1923, and what’s left of her is now a tangled, sun-drenched playground just beneath the surface. We love finning slowly over the skeletal remains of the hull, spotting the way the light plays through the gaps where the deck once was. It’s shallow enough for snorkelers, but divers get a real appreciation for the sheer size and the way the coral has started to claim the metal. You’ll see small reef fish darting in and out of every nook – damselfish, juvenile snappers, and the occasional moray eel peeking from a dark corner. It’s perfect for long, relaxed dives, especially if you’re into underwater photography. The ambient light is incredible. Go at high tide for the best visibility; the shallower water means stirred-up sediment can cloud things quickly after a rough patch.

Location: Watamu & Malindi, Kenya, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates: -3.214167, 40.134530
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 1m

Marine Protected Area: Malindi

Best Time to Dive in Watamu & Malindi

The warmest water temperatures in Watamu & Malindi occur in January, averaging 28.2°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 28.2°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 28.2°C (air: 27.7°C)
February: 28.2°C (air: 27.9°C)
March: 28.2°C (air: 28.2°C)
April: 28.2°C (air: 27.1°C)
May: 28.2°C (air: 26.5°C)
June: 28.2°C (air: 25.6°C)
July: 28.2°C (air: 24.8°C)
August: 28.2°C (air: 24.8°C)
September: 28.2°C (air: 25.3°C)
October: 28.2°C (air: 26.2°C)
November: 28.2°C (air: 26.8°C)
December: 28.2°C (air: 27.5°C)

Nearest Dive Centres to NAIROBI

Marine Life in Watamu & Malindi

Home to 254 recorded species including 148 reef fish, 57 hard corals, 17 seagrass & algae, 10 sea cucumbers, 6 sharks & rays, 3 crabs & lobsters.

Notable Species

Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
mangrove (Rhizophora mucronata) - Seagrass & Algae
gray mangrove (Avicennia marina) - Seagrass & Algae
Kankra (Bruguiera gymnorhiza) - Seagrass & Algae
Sundari tree (Heritiera littoralis) - Seagrass & Algae
Dhundal tree (Xylocarpus granatum) - Seagrass & Algae
Staghorn coral (Acropora valida) - Hard Corals
Species code: Tc (Thalassodendron ciliatum) - Seagrass & Algae
Species code: Si (Syringodium isoetifolium) - Seagrass & Algae
thalassia (Thalassia hemprichii) - Seagrass & Algae
Long-spined sea urchin (Diadema setosum) - Sea Urchins
Staghorn coral (Acropora secale) - Hard Corals
Rainbowfish (Stethojulis albovittata) - Reef Fish
Rainbowfish (Halichoeres hortulanus) - Reef Fish
Staghorn coral (Acropora aculeus) - Hard Corals
Queen coris (Coris formosa) - Reef Fish
cymodocea (Cymodocea rotundata) - Seagrass & Algae
Goldbar wrasse (Thalassoma hebraicum) - Reef Fish
Staghorn coral (Acropora nasuta) - Hard Corals
Wrasse (Stethojulis interrupta) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for NAIROBI

Based on average water temperature of 28.2°C.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°C water needs minimal exposure protection
Mask - essential for every dive
Fins
BCD - buoyancy compensator
Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories