The Canyon - Watamu & Malindi

The Canyon. You hear the name and expect something dramatic, and Watamu’s version doesn’t disappoint. We usually hit this one in the late morning, when the sun angles just right, sending shafts of light down into the main gully. It’s an intermediate dive, dropping from a reef top at 15m down to a sandy floor at 30m. What we love here is the sheer scale of the place. You drift along, often with a gentle push from the current, watching massive schools of orbicular batfish just hang in the blue. Keep an eye out for giant trevally, too. They patrol the edges, sleek and fast. Our favourite moment is always drifting over the sandy patches at the bottom, looking for knife razorfish burying themselves or catching a glimpse of a black teatfish. It's a deep blue dive, perfect for those who enjoy feeling small in a big underwater landscape, rather than picking through macro life.

Location
Watamu & Malindi, Kenya, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-3.380000, 40.050000
Type
reef
Maximum Depth
15-30m
Difficulty
Intermediate

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)

Nearby Dive Sites in Watamu & Malindi

Nearest Dive Centres to The Canyon

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

Recommended Packing List for The Canyon

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