Kiunga Marine National Reserve incorporates a chain of about 50 calcareous offshore islands and coral reefs in the Lamu Archipelago, running for some 60km parallel to the coastline off the northern most coast of Kenya and adjacent to Dodori and Boni National Reserves on the mainland. Composed of old, eroded coral, the islands mainly lie inland around 2km offshore and inshore of the fringing reef. They vary in size from a few hundred sq m to 100ha or more. Their walls rise sheer from the surrounding seabed and are usually deeply undercut on the landward side.

The larger islands and the more sheltered inner islands are covered with low, tangled thorny vegetation including grass, aloes and creepers. The small outer islands provide nest sites for migratory seabirds. The reserve conserves valuable coral reefs, sea grass meadows and extensive mangrove forests, with their attendant biodiversity and is also a refuge for sea turtles and dugongs. The climate is hot and humid with rainfall around 500mm per year.

Major attractions

  • Sand dune,
  • Kiwayu Island,
  • Coral reefs.

Activities

  • Wind surfing,
  • Snorkeling,
  • Water skiing,
  • Sunbathing,
  • Diving,

Reptiles/fish

  • Sea Turtles,
  • Olive Ridley,
  • Leatherback,
  • Turtles,
  • Reef fish

Insects/arthropods

  • Lobsters,
  • Sea urchins,
  • Sea star,
  • Crabs,
  • Mosquito

Common Vegetation

The islands consist of bare sharp edged spikes and ridges of coral on the seaward side with a little straggling vegetation such as Saliconria and the succulent sanseveria.