A truly tropical paradise Kenya's coast is 250 miles of white, palm-fringed beaches, is gently caressed by the balmy trade winds and protected by a virtually coral reef running within a kilometer off shore. The reef creates a series of blue lagoons for safe swimming and goggling where every form of aquatic sport is available.

A little further North is Malindi. Malindi's history goes back 1000 years, according to Arabic records and by Vasco da Gama's explorations when in 1498 he anchored with his fleet at explorations at Malindi and was 'royally entertained'. Malindi's 7 km long curving beach is a favorite for surfing, best in July and August when the trade winds sweep the rollers in though the break in the reef.

Malindi's big game fishing facilities are excellent and relatively inexpensive. It has an international reputation for its plentiful Marlin, Sailfish, Barracuda, Kingfish Tunny. Fishing contests are held in October and November as part of the annual sea festival and an international bill fish competition takes place in January. To date Kenya holds six world records for big game catches.

From the old harbor, many stalwarts from all over the world have set forth in search of these big fish of the deeps. Ernest Hemingway, the famous author, frequented Malindi writing and fishing in the Thirties.

Further along is the Watamu Marine Park with fantastic outcrops of see lace and undersea landscapes and fish so tame they can be hand-fed (due to the long time ban there on spear fishing). Nearby are the intriguing ruins of an ancient city of the 13th century whose population inexplicably vanished, leaving no clue as to their fate.

MARINE NATIONAL PARKS

When they were gazetted in 1968, the first two marine parks in Kenya, Malindi and Watamu, were also the first in Africa. Since then two other parks have been added; Kiunga (north of Lamu) and Kisite-Mpunguti (near the Tanzanian border). Each of the parks is protected by a surrounding reserve. Within the parks fish, shells and corals are entirely protected but licensed local fishermen can operate within the reserves.

All four parks are within the fringing reef and the water is warm and entirely safe for bathing. Within each park are extensive coral gardens whose beauty is overwhelming and attracts myriads of brightly colored coral fish. At Kiunga the most exciting coral formations center on the tiny islet of Kiu, fabulous haunt for the scuba enthusiast and reached by private boat from Kiwayuu Island.

At Malindi the coral gardens are close to Casuarina Point, a few kilometers south of the township and almost all hotels have daily boat runs to the best areas for goggling. For non-swimmers glass-bottomed boats hover above this underwater fairyland.

Again at Watamu, the hotels supply boats to visit the coral which lies near the entrance to Mida Creek. This entrance is narrow and guarded by giant grouper (serranidae). These huge fish can reach a weight of several hundred kilograms. Mida Creek is also a bird sanctuary and between March and May, hundreds of thousands of migrating waders are to be found.

The best time for goggling within the Parks is two hours on either side of low tide when water movement east disturbs the bottom of the ocean and the coral gardens are nearer the surface.

TOURISM GIVES RESORT TOWN MAJOR FACELIFT

Malindi is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kenya today. To cater for the international and local visitors some first class hotels, villas, cottages, restaurants and private cottages have been built.

In recognition of the region's fast development pace, President Moi recently upgraded Malindi from a sub to a full district.

Tourism is the mainstay of the region and is the biggest employer in the area. Many international investors have opened businesses, mainly tourist resorts.

The district with a beautiful coastline is ideal for fishing and other water sports. Tournaments bringing in participants from all over the globe have done a lot to make the area a top tourist destination in the world.

MALINDI - MAMBRUI - WATAMU

Malindi is home to many Italian investors who have transformed the town into a top tourist destination.

Its growth and fast-development pace has lead to greater demand for land which is being sold at a premium. The great demand for land has led to the penetration and opening up of what used to be small villages in Watamu and Mambrui for the development of tourist facilities.

If the current development pace is maintained, many people see the three areas Malindi, Mambrui and Watamu being fused into one in the near future through the development of building complexes. The towns are now linked by the Casuarina-Mayungu road.

Even Mambrui which until three years ago was a virgin beach with only makeshift restaurants is now home to some of the largest hotels in the area.

Most of the beach plots in Casuarina, Silversands, Malindi Bay, Watamu and Mambrui have been bought by investors.

The resorts that have been put up on these beaches are popular with Italian, German, English and Swiss tourists.

The opening of Malindi to international investors does not mean that the region lacks small-scale restaurants, cottages, and guest houses which are popular with domestic tourists.

According to the local District Commissioner, Ms. Claire Omolo, Malindi has tourist hotels with more than 7,300 beds.

Tour operators and hoteliers under the Mombasa and Coast Tourist Association (MCTA) whose chairman is Mr. Gideon Mung'aro indicate that during the high tourist season bed occupancy reaches to 85 per cent. The association, together with tour operators and hoteliers has held promotional fairs in Italy and other world capitals.

Italian investors in Malindi have also sponsored a film documentary featuring the region as a top class tourist destination. The film Magical Malindi and a brochure received rave reviews in the Milan fair.

Malindi has many attractions that keep tourist flocking to the area from all the corners of the world. These include internationally renown Malindi and Watamu marine parks and game reserves run by the Kenya Wildlife Service.