What Bahari Hai Conservation does

Bahari Hai Conservation is a Kenyan nonprofit marine conservation organization founded in 2021 by sixteen Kenyan conservation professionals and headquartered in Watamu, Kilifi County, on Kenya's Indian Ocean coast. The organization works within the Malindi-Watamu Seascape, an approximately 30-kilometer stretch of coastline encompassing Malindi and Watamu Marine National Parks and Reserves, and has expanded activities into Kiunga in Northern Kenya and Lamu via peer-to-peer learning exchanges. Its programmatic portfolio covers sea turtle conservation (nest monitoring, photo identification by facial scale patterns, and bycatch mitigation), sharks and rays conservation (through Baited Remote Underwater Video surveys with the Wildlife Conservation Society), community-based fisheries management, anti-poaching patrols using SMART Conservation Tools, environmental education reaching local schools, applied science and research, policy and advocacy, and community development.

Underlying technology and methods are field-centric rather than software-centric: nightly nest patrols, non-intrusive photo identification of individual sea turtles, BRUV underwater video deployments, and SMART patrol data collection. The organization maintains an indexed monitoring beach surveyed every night of the year and operates one of the few dedicated anti-poaching units along the Kenyan coast, led by Sammy Safari in coordination with Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Fisheries Service.

Revenue is generated through three streams: (i) donations and grants from private donors and institutional partners, processed via credit card, PayPal, M-Pesa, wire transfer, and through the German partner AGA which issues donation certificates; (ii) the Eco Visits Programme, a fee-based volunteer tourism offering tiered durations from day visits to extended stays, with accommodation sourced from partner providers; and (iii) fashion merchandise (T-shirts) sold through AGA and Kipepeo Clothing, with proceeds donated back to Bahari Hai. The customer base spans small-scale fishing communities organized as Beach Management Units, local schools, government agencies (KWS, Kenya Fisheries Service), conservation volunteers and eco-tourists, and institutional funders including Blue Ventures, WCS, WWF Kenya, WildAid Marine, Fauna & Flora International, and SEE Turtles.

Name

Bahari Hai Conservation

Legal name

Bahari Hai Conservation

Website

https://baharihai.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Bahari Hai Conservation is a Kenyan nonprofit founded in 2021 that runs community-led marine conservation programs — sea turtle, shark and ray, fisheries, anti-poaching, and education — along the Malindi-Watamu coast, serving fishing communities, schools, and government partners with funding from donations, grants, and volunteer tourism.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH), Marine Wildlife & Coastal Nature Tours (Whale/Dolphin Watching, Sea Kayaking) (THAAAEAD), Wildlife, Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation Administration (BPAIAMAG)

Keywords

• Marine conservation
• Sea turtle protection
• Fisheries management
• Anti-poaching patrols
• Environmental education

Headquarters

HQ city

Watamu

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: Fully relies on private donors and grant funding from partner organizations. Donations accepted via credit card, PayPal, M-Pesa, and wire transfer. German partner AGA processes donations for international donors and provides donation certificates.
2. Eco Visits Programme: Volunteer tourism program offering conservation experiences ranging from day visits to extended stays. Participants pay for accommodation and program participation, with diverse accommodation options through partner providers.
3. Fashion Merchandise: T-shirt sales through AGA and Kipepeo Clothing partners, with proceeds donated to Bahari Hai. Features artwork drawn by local children inspired by marine conservation themes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Bahari Hai Conservation is a Watamu, Kenya-based marine conservation organization founded in 2021 that delivers community-led programs protecting sea turtles, sharks and rays, coastal fisheries, and the broader marine ecosystem through anti-poaching patrols, environmental education, applied research, and policy advocacy. It also operates a paid Eco Visitor Programme for travelers, students, and interns who participate directly in fieldwork.

Product overview

Bahari Hai Conservation operates as a unified nonprofit organization offering multiple interconnected conservation programs centered on marine ecosystem protection. The core offerings include Sea Turtle Conservation (with sub-programs for nest monitoring, photo ID, and bycatch mitigation), Sharks & Rays Conservation, Fisheries Management, Anti-Poaching Patrols, Environmental Education, Science & Research, Policy & Advocacy, and Community Development. Supporting services include the Eco Visitor Programme for volunteer experiences, Internship/Attachment Programme for professional development, and One-off Projects for urgent interventions. The organization focuses primarily on the Malindi-Watamu Seascape in Kenya's Kilifi County, with strategic projects extending along the broader coastline.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sea Turtle Conservation Programme
• Sharks and Rays Conservation Programme
• Fisheries Management Programme
• Anti-Poaching Patrol Programme
• Environmental Education Programme
• Science and Research Programme
• Policy and Advocacy Programme Engagement with government agencies and stakeholders to translate on-the-ground findings into stronger marine protection policy, co-management frameworks, and BMU support.
• Community Development Programme
• Eco Visitor Programme
• Internship and Attachment Programme

Quantifiable outcome

• 60% reduction in sea turtle bycatch in Mida Creek compared to years before intervention
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• WildAid MarinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic support partner providing technical advice, mentorship, and capacity development to the anti-poaching unit. WildAid works to strengthen Bahari Hai's team capabilities and enhance conservation impact.
• Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment conservation agency collaborating on anti-poaching patrols, sea turtle conservation index beaches, law enforcement, and turtle conservation training programs. KWS Watamu Warden involved in enforcement operations.
• Blue VenturescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner providing model frameworks for community-led marine conservation and fisheries management. Facilitated peer-to-peer learning exchanges with Lamu communities.
• Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading the Kenya BRUV project spanning multiple West Indian Ocean countries. Bahari Hai conducts Baited Remote Underwater Video surveys as part of broader shark and ray conservation research.
• A Rocha KenyasupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConservation organization collaborating on Kenya BRUV project for shark and ray monitoring in Kenyan waters.
• Extra Divers Temple PointsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDive center partner in Watamu contributing to Kenya BRUV project underwater video deployments.
• Kenya Fisheries Service (KeFS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment fisheries authority partnering on bycatch mitigation initiatives and illegal gear exchange programs in Mida Creek and surrounding areas.
• Fauna & Flora InternationalsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational conservation organization that commissioned Bahari Hai for sea turtle training in Kiunga, Northern Kenya, working with local Turtle Conservation Groups.
• WWF KenyasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed mangrove ecosystem degradation assessment in Mida Creek with Bahari Hai participation. Also partners on Triple Benefit Project - Land to Sea initiative.
• Coral Reef CaresupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in developing and delivering Shark & Ray educational programs with tailored kits for children and adults along the Kenyan coast.
• Actionsgemeinschaft Artenschutz (AGA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerGerman partner organization facilitating international donations with certificates, T-shirt merchandise sales, and match-funded campaigns. Key channel for European supporter engagement.
• Kipepeo ClothingsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSustainable fashion partner selling turtle-themed T-shirts with proceeds donated to Bahari Hai.
• SMART Conservation ToolssupportingTechnology or IntegrationBahari Hai is an official learning centre for SMART Conservation Tools, using the platform for patrol data collection and monitoring.
• LaMCoT (Lamu Community Conservation Trust)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost organization for peer-to-peer learning exchange on community-based fisheries management, demonstrating successful seasonal closure and governance models.
• Friends of Arabuko Sokoke ForestsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner participating in Triple Benefit Project Land to Sea sensitization activities and enforcement stakeholder engagement.
• Kenya Fisheries ServicesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner in Phase 2 of Malindi-Ungwana Bay turtle conservation program, supporting beach patrols and data collection.
• Mokowe BMUsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeach Management Unit in Lamu serving as model for governance, financial transparency, and community-led conservation practices.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Sea Turtle Conservancy: World's oldest sea turtle research and conservation organization; comparable in sea turtle photo-ID, nest monitoring, and beach management unit training, though operating at global scale across the Americas, Caribbean, and West Africa.
• Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS): Large international conservation NGO leading the Kenya BRUV project in which Bahari Hai participates; overlaps in shark/ray research, community conservation, and policy advocacy across the Western Indian Ocean.
• WildAid Marine: Strategic capacity-building partner providing mentorship to Bahari Hai's anti-poaching unit; focuses on marine wildlife protection and illegal fishing/wildlife trade, sharing conservation mission and donor constituency.
• WWF Kenya: Leading international NGO that partnered with Bahari Hai on the Mida Creek mangrove degradation assessment and the Triple Benefit Land to Sea project; overlaps in fisheries, coastal ecosystems, and policy advocacy.
• Fauna & Flora International (FFI): International conservation organization that commissioned Bahari Hai for sea turtle training in Kiunga; comparable in mission and operates across species and seascapes in Kenya and beyond.

Direct peers

• A Rocha Kenya: Kenyan conservation NGO partnering with Bahari Hai on the BRUV shark/ray project; operates community-based marine and coastal conservation programs along the Kenyan coast with overlapping methodology and geography.
• Local Ocean Conservation: Watamu-based marine conservation nonprofit operating sea turtle bycatch mitigation, nest protection, and community programs along the same Kenyan coastline; closest direct peer in geography and species focus.
• LaMCoT (Lamu Community Conservation Trust): Lamu-based community conservation trust that hosted Bahari Hai's peer-to-peer learning exchange; directly comparable community-led fisheries and marine conservation model in adjacent Kenyan county.
• Blue Ventures: Global nonprofit pioneering community-led marine conservation and fisheries management; explicitly cited as Bahari Hai's strategic model partner and facilitator of peer-to-peer learning exchanges in Lamu — directly comparable mission and methodology.

Peers

• Coral Reef Care: Partner developing shark and ray educational kits with Bahari Hai; community-facing marine conservation education NGO with overlapping species and education focus in East Africa.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WatamuCF
• Facebookfacebook.com/BahariHai
• Instagraminstagram.com/bahari_hai
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bahari-hai-conservation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bahari Hai Conservation