Explore the wonders of Watamu

Watamu is located near the city of Malindi and just 1,5 hour drive from Tsavo East National park (the largest wildpark in Kenya), has the most spectacular beaches and plenty of activities for an amazing holiday. A variety of watersports and a relaxing vibe as this village is a lot less busy than Mombasa and the people are definately friendly and helpful. There are plenty of restaurants, local handicrafts and culture all waiting to be discovered.

Due the presence of Arabs since the Early Modern times the coastal area north of Mombasa has a rich mix of Swahili and Arab culture. Which makes the town Malindi and the village Watamu treasures of old world charm, flavours and colors. The coastline with pristine white beaches and the turqoise Indian Ocean are part of the Watamu National Marine Park which is home to a rich marine life such as dolfins and turtles. The area is a UNESCO site of natural excellence and demonstrates how local people and the environment can coexist.

Explore Watamu and Kilifi County

Mida Creek & the Mangroves

Stretching inland from the Indian Ocean into Arabuko Sokoke Forest is one of Watamu’s true hidden treasures: Mida Creek, a broadwater tidal creek surrounded by extensive mangroves and one of the most important and beautiful natural attractions on the Kenyan coast. Mida Creek can be explored by boat, kayak, stand up paddle board (SUP) or even a guided float through the waters of the creek in a life-vest.

Visiting the creek is also a part of the Safari Blue Experience!

Gede ruins

Gede is one of many medieval Swahili-Arab coastal settlements that stretch from Somalia to Mozambique. The site of Gede includes a walled town and its outlying area. All of the standing buildings at Gede, which include mosques, a palace, and numerous houses, are made from stone, are one-story, and are distributed unevenly in the town. There are also large open areas in the settlement which contained earth and thatch houses. Stone "pillar tombs" are a distinctive type of Swahili Coast architecture found at Gede as well.

Arabuko Sokoke Forest

Go and visit the elephants on the doorstep of Watamu at Arabuko-Sokoke forest (41.600ha) as it is the largest natural coastal forest remaining in East Africa. Its rich biodiversity includes a concentration of endemic and endangered flora and fauna. On the African mainland the forest ranks second in bird conservation value. The forests conservation depends on its co-existance with the surrounding rapidly growing rural population that is hard pressed for land, jobs and income sources.

Malindi

The small city of Malindi is located 30 minutes north of Watamu, at the mouth of the Galana river. Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama stopped at Malindi on his way to India in 1498 and built a pillar that remains overlooking the harbor. Game fishing, surfing and simply relaxing on the beach are popular local pastimes. There are plenty of Italian restaurants and the old town radiates the multicultural history, the narrow streets and market of Malindi's old town are definitely worth a visit.

Watamu Turtle Watch

This is the only Turtle Rehabilitation Centre in East Africa. Sick and injured turtles are monitored, nursed back to health and then returned to the ocean. This facility also serves as a powerful education tool to local and international visitors of all ages. Come for a tour and learn more about the marine environment and visit patients recovering in our Sea turtle Rehabilitation Centre.

Hell's Kitchen

Hell’s Kitchen in Marafa is an hour drive from Watamu. Marafa is a small village with conspicuous baobab trees. It was originally a place characterized by sandstone, which as a result of the rains, has eroded over thousands of years, creating a canyon where pinnacles, ravines and structures alternate creating a wonderful show. The perfect time for a visit is early in the morning, when the sun is not at its strongest, or late afternoon and catch a romantic sunset.

Daytrips from Watamu

Safari Blue Watamu

The pristine white beaches and reef-protected lagoon line of the Watamu National Marine Park are a unique location for a day spend on the water!
The day includes

Dolphin watching
Snorkling
BBQ lunch at an uninhabited island in Mida Creek between mangroves

Hell's Kitchen & Robinson Island

After a drive through tour of Malindi, a historical Swahili/Arab coastal town, you will head to Robinson Island for lunch and beachtime. In the afternoon you will visit Hell’s Kitchen in Marafa. Which was originally a place characterized by sandstone, which as a result of the rains, has eroded over thousands of years, creating a canyon where pinnacles, ravines and structures alternate creating a wonderful show.

Roadtrippin

The amazing green countryside of Kilifi County is absolutely an educational and amazing experience. To get a feel of local life in Kilifi County you should visit the local villages with traditional clay houses and colorful people. This is your personalized experience!

At the end of the afternoon the elephants in the Arabuko forest come to the wateringhole to drink and bath which is a unique sight and worth while adding to your roadtrip!

Swahili Dow

How about spending a day on a traditional Swahili Dow boat and sail away on the Indian Ocean. Or book a romantic Sundown trip with your loved one(s). The Dow has room for a maximum of 10 of your best friends or family to share this amazing and real Swahili experience.

What to expect:

Day of half day trip with a captain and staff
Drinks and Swahili snacks- Sail the indian
Ocean and Mida Creek