Malindi is a base for sportfishing and also offers the snorkeling, windsurfing, and other water sports that the other coastal areas do. The Malindi Marine Park has both snorkeling and scuba diving. The northern part of the reef is separated by a deep sea channel, allowing some pelagic fish not usually seen inside Kenya's reef systems to get in. The road leading to the park also has a Snake Park, which might be worth a visit to those interested. Malindi also has some of the biggest waves which the protected Kenyan coast gets, making it the ideal place for body and board surfing.

South of Malindi is Watumu and the incredible Watamu National Marine Park, which is in the protected zone of the Marine National Reserve. Watamu allows absolutely no fishing, so the fish are not afraid of humans. The coral gardens offer every type of tropical marine life imaginable and the water is crystal clear. Glassbottom boats are available and snorkeling is about as perfect as it gets. The overhanging cliff gardens and the "Big Three Caves" at Mida Creek have some giant grouper for those who want to see some of the bigger fish that inhabit Kenya's reefs.