Hemingways offers snorkelling in Watamu Marine National Park.
The Watamu National Marine Park boasts over 600 species of fish in just 10 square kilometers, although the reserve area itself spreads out over more than 32 sq km in total and has a total of over 1000 species.
It is one of the best kept secrets in the world with only the Great Barrier Reef itself having a bigger species list and that only in a far greater expanse! It is virtually impossible to snorkel without seeing at least a few dozen species inside the main reef; divers outside the fringe reef stand an excellent chance of viewing the magnificent whale shark and Manta Rays that are seasonal visitors. November is best for spotting these magnificent animals.
Whilst our corals are not as colourful as in the south Pacific, we do still have an incredible selection; over 200 species exist in the Park and Reserve. The most important from an exploration point of view are the stony corals which form what we call a reef. Some of the more commonly seen fish include of course the parrotfish, whose digestion of the coral reefs over the millennia, have produced the white sand beach itself.
Angelfish, groupers, filefish, lionfish and snappers are just a handful of the easily seen species within this superb, brightly colored underwater world. One of the best routes for a snorkel exploration is right in front of Hemingways; a gentle swim to the ‘Larder’. Head out in between the two rocky island directly in front of Hemingways. As you swim over the eroded coral ledges there are numerous damselfish, young butterfly and angelfish, morays, groupers and octopus.
Through the seagrass pass you’ll find blue spotted rays, mullet and snappers. Once you get the edge of the grass area, around 100metres out, turn right and follow the grass edge along its contour line. After about 100m you’ll find the larder to your left; a series of 6 or so large coral heads which are the home of hundreds of sweetlips, snappers and drummer fish. You’ll also find lionfish and crocodilefish if you look closely. Another bonus here are the large barracuda which hang around near the seabed in large groups. They are nocturnal feeders and ‘sleep’ during the day so are easy to approach.
