Turtle Dive Center

Run by Harry and Tina Scholz since May 2020, Turtle Dive Center operates from two waterfront bases in Watamu, Kenya — inside Watamu Beach Cottages and Jacaranda Beach Resort — both with direct access to a natural sandy beach. It's a PADI Resort staffed by 2 PADI Instructors, welcoming divers in English and German.

Reefs, courses and marine life

The center fronts the Watamu Marine National Park & Reserve, one of the oldest in Africa, where over 150 species of hard and soft corals thrive and fishing is prohibited. Watamu is an important breeding area for green and hawksbill turtles, and encounters with turtles, whale sharks, dolphins and manta rays are not uncommon. Boats head out at least twice a day to around 15 dive sites — including Moray Reef and surrounds, Brain Coral, South Canyon, Canyon and Dolphin Point — all reachable within 10–25 minutes.

Newcomers can try PADI Discover Scuba Diving from USD 119, while certified divers can step up with the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course. High season runs November to March; in low season, diving stays on the beautiful shallow inner reef, a reliable spot for turtles.