Diving Centre Turtle Bay
Turtle Bay Beach Club is located adjacent to one of the most unspoilt underwater reserves in the world: Watamu National Marine Park, the first to be set up not only in Kenya but the first in Africa. As fishing is not allowed within the park, it has become a safe haven and breeding ground for numerous species of fish. On the other side of the reef within the park reserves it is not unusual to encounter Manta Rays, Whale-Sharks, Dolphins and Turtles.
The Diving School is run by professionals who are proud of safety standards that are maintained and diving is conducted in small groups of 4 divers per guide in order to ensure safety is kept at the highest level.
Location:
The Dive Centre is situated within the Hotel grounds with immediate beach access to the Watamu Marine Park.
Dive Team:
2 Instructors assisted by 6 experienced guides. Language: English and German.
Teaching -Association: PADI
Diving:
The diving school is open throughout the year accept in May due to the start of the rainy season. The best diving season being between the last week of October until the second week in April. Due to the weather conditions, diving at the outer reef is not guaranteed between the months June to October.
Trips:
The Dive-base is open 7 days a week and organize dives twice a day. Night dives depending on weather and tide conditions.
Diving sites:
There are 20 Prime Diving Sites where we go to and it can take between 10-35 minutes from the diving school by boat to reach the location. The dives are taking place at a depth between 10-30 meters. The reef offers some of the richest variety of fish and corals in the world. Inside the lagoon is an ideal site for novices and unforgettable night dives.
Half day trips with double dives can be arranged on request.
Windsurfing:
24 new Windsurfing Boards of F2 and Starboards with exchangeable sails from 1.7 to 9.9 meters are available.Trial lessons for beginners are free. Beginner Boards are free to use when having a windsurfing certificate or after doing a course of Pounds Sterling 30.
Fun Boats:
5 Fun Boats are available at the watersport centre. The guests can take a course for £25 and a sailing certificate will be issued to them, this will allow the guest to take the boat out for maximum ½ hour a day whenever they like for the rest of their stay. Or another option will be one of the watersports supervisors take the guest on a 30 minutes sailing trip through Turtle Lagoon for £5.
Pedelo's:
One 4-seater and three 2-seater pedelows are available for our guests to use free of charge. They are easy to handle and fun for young and old to explore the Turtle Bay.
Paddle Skis:
Eight brand new, white, single users paddle skis have been introduced complementary to our guests. Not sinkable, no lessons necessary and also for kids easy to use with a life jacket.
Boogie Boards:
The watersports Centre issued 20 boogie boards for our all inclusive guests. It is fun for the whole family taking a ride on the waves of the Indian Ocean.
Snorkelling:
Any snorkelling in the Marine Park requires a marine park ticket. The following is the position at Turtle Bay with regard to snorkelling.
Direct snorkelling from the beach:
If a guest wishes to snorkel in front of the hotel, snorkels and goggles are available for use at the Funbase shop located near the swimming pool. The National Marine Park is managed and patrolled by Kenya Wildlife Service who ensure that all marine life within it’s boundaries are protected. This does come with a price to pay for this heritage for people who are going snorkelling and goggling.
It does not apply to those who are just swimming in the ocean nor those who are using the water sports equipment with the exception of scuba divers. You can purchase marine park entry tickets from the hotel, which can be charged, to your individual room account.
The coral is quite sharp and it is easy to injure yourself. We recommend when windsurfing, sailing or walking in the sea that you protect yourself by wearing closed toe and closed heel shoes.
Unguided snorkelling in the Coral Gardens:
If a guest wishes to visit the Coral Gardens in a boat where the highest density of fish can be found but without a professional guide, the Hotel hires a glass-bottomed boat from the local Watamu Association of Boat Owners twice a week. The excursion fee paid to the Hotel by the guest covers all boat and ticket costs.
Guided ‘Snorkel Safari’ trip:
Turtle Bay Beach Club operates its own glass-bottomed boat on an excursion to the Coral Gardens every day except Mondays. Guests are given an introductory lecture about the Marine Park and what they are likely to see before being taken to the Gardens in the hotel boat. The guide, an Oxford zoologist who has been in Watamu for many years, will point out fish and coral of interest and will answer any questions on what is being seen. The cost of the excursion includes Park entry ticket and guide fees; all equipment is supplied.
Seasonal trade winds and seaweed:
Snorkelling is generally not so good during the period May to September due to strong winds and seaweeds on the beach and inside the reef.
Deep Sea Fishing:
An angler's dream of watching the leaping antics of a hooked sailfish or the struggle with a huge marlin and other monsters from the deeps can become a reality when fishing out from Turtle Bay. Offshore is offered some of the best of Africa's big game sport for a host of species while the Beach Club makes a perfect base from which to operate, and to relax between the rigorous sessions.
Fishes encountered include Black, Blue and Striped Marlin, Sailfish, Broadbill, Tiger, Hammerhead and Bull Sharks, Wahoo, Kingfish, Greater Trevally, Cobia,Yellowfin Tuna, Dorado, Grouper, Red, Ruby and other Snappers along with many other smaller species.
Within the confines of the Marine Reserve will be seen a number of quality game-fish boats, large diesel powered craft all backed with experienced and knowledgeable captains and extremely competent and well-trained crews. Aboard will be the best quality tackle for use, ranging from bait rods and reels to the really heavy gear, plus a fighting chair.
Visiting anglers who wish to try fly-fishing for the bigger species are advised to bring their own tackle. Full safety equipment, shelter from the hot sun and plenty of cold soft drinks and water are available. Your needs the day before will be the booking of an early call and the lunch box.. Lightweight clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and high factor sun cream makes up the list.
With departure at 6 a.m.., leave the hotel beach around dawn turn left and a short walk will find the captain on the sands by Ocean Sports where a small boat is ready to take the party to the game vessel. Discuss with the captain as to the preferences for species and personal fishing experience. This is invaluable when it comes to striking and hooking.
The season commences in August and continues until March. Few of the game species are resident, simply passing through the local waters. As a general guide as there are no fixed rules on fishing habitats, marlin are first on the scene in pursuit of the tuna shoals, which in themselves find the bigger ones around in September - November. Thereafter smaller specimens abound for the rest of the season. Sailfish arrive north of Turtle Bay at the beginning of November, then move down and provide excellent sport until the close. Larger billfish, the marlins are to be found again from January to March.
Experience the searing reel runs of the wahoo which join the fighting qualities of the kingfish and barracuda, the back-aching contest with greater trevally usually taken on live bait worked deeper by means of the downrigger, this species never seems to tire. On light tackle, dorado, particularly the larger females will cause excitement. Sometimes the captain will recommend a short spell at bottom-fishing, some 500 feet deep where big groupers are present along with many of the snapper family. Bringing the catch up from these depths is very tiring!
With a fight ahead which could last for hours, a meeting with a large tiger shark which can attain four figures will never be forgotten or the need of the fighting chair. Where else in the world will this combined package of climate, boats, friendly people, a host of species and a perfect base in Turtle Bay Beach Club be found?
Conference facilities:
The club has opened up a brand new conference room which can take a maximum of 150 delegates. Along with the new conference room, the club has three more meeting rooms for smaller groups or group work. Your stay includes all meals, domestic drinks, sparkling wine, day and night entertainment.
CONFERENCE PACKAGE One price covers everything
- Use of the conference room
- Flip chart stands boards / papers
- Writing material pens Marker pens
- Overhead projector
- Screen
- Transparencies
- Slides projector
- Morning & afternoon tea breaks / snacks
- TV/Video
- Built in Sound system
- Free email service
- Drinks and meals
- Entertainment
- Water sports
- Accommodation
PALM ROOM:
Situated opposite the hotels Reception desk for easy access> Equipped with split unit air condition
- Has personal power supply for laptops
- Theatre style 150 pax
- U Style 60 pax
- Square style 80 pax
KASARAMBA ROOM
- Split unit air conditioning
- Theatre style 30 pax
- U style 20 pax
- Square style 28 pax
BAHARI ROOM
- Theatre style 90 pax
- U style 30 pax
- Square style 36 pax
TURTLE ROOM
- Split unit air conditioning
- Theatre style 18 pax
- Square style 16 pax
- U style 12 pax
