Watamu & Malindi
Coral-reef marine parks and white-sand beaches on Kenya's north coast, with the Gede Ruins, mangroves and Italian-flavoured Malindi.
Watamu and Malindi lie about 20 km apart on the north coast of Kenya's Kilifi County and are the most popular beach resorts north of Mombasa. Watamu is known for its white-sand bays, coral-reef marine park and mangrove ecosystems, and has a quiet atmosphere; Malindi is a Swahili port town with a thousand years of history where Vasco da Gama landed in 1498. It has a large Italian expatriate community, and Italian restaurants and gelato shops are everywhere.
Seasons: Dec–Mar and Jul–Oct are relatively dry and sunny, with the best underwater visibility; Apr–Jun is the long rains, with short rains in Oct–Nov. Things to do: snorkel and take glass-bottom boat trips in the Watamu or Malindi marine parks; birdwatch and watch the sunset from the Mida Creek mangrove boardwalk; combine the Gede Ruins and Arabuko-Sokoke Forest in a single day; spend half a day in Malindi's old town and at the Vasco da Gama Pillar; and head to Marafa's "Hell's Kitchen" in the late afternoon for sunset over the canyon.
Getting there: Malindi Airport has flights to and from Nairobi (about 1 hour); by road it's about 2–2.5 hours from Mombasa along the coastal highway. Getting around locally is by tuk-tuk and motorbike taxi. Plan to stay 4–6 days. Marine park fees are collected by KWS (Kenya Wildlife Service), so carry cash in Kenyan shillings; take precautions against mosquitoes and malaria, and protect yourself from the sun.
Top sights
- Watamu Marine National Park – One of Africa’s earliest marine protected areas, with snorkeling in coral gardens and glass-bottom boat trips to see fish schools and sea t…
- Gede Ruins – The ruins of a Swahili city-state from the 12th to 17th centuries, with a mosque, palace and ancient wells hidden in the primeval forest.
- Watamu Beach & Turtle Bay – A bay of fine white sand and coral islets. At low tide, large sandbars emerge, making it one of Kenya's most beautiful beaches.
- Local Ocean Conservation (Watamu Turtle Watch) – A sea turtle rescue hospital run by a local nonprofit. Visitors can see injured turtles recover and learn about conservation work.
- Mida Creek – A tidal bay surrounded by mangroves, with boardwalks and suspension bridges running through the forest. It is a prime spot for migrating bi…
- Arabuko Sokoke Forest – The largest surviving coastal forest on East Africa's coast, home to the Sokoke scops owl and other rare endemic species, as well as the go…
- Malindi Marine National Park – Kenya's first marine park, offering coral reef snorkelling and glass-bottom boat trips. At low tide you can even walk out onto the coral sa…
- Vasco da Gama Pillar – A limestone cross pillar erected when Vasco da Gama arrived in Malindi in 1498. It is one of the oldest European monuments in East Africa.
- Malindi Old Town & Portuguese Chapel – The old Swahili quarter, with a pillar-tomb mosque, a Portuguese chapel, and a museum housed in a converted historic building.
- Marafa Depression (Hell's Kitchen) – A sandstone canyon carved by wind and rain, with red, orange, and white rock walls in layers. At sunset it looks like it is on fire.
- Mambrui Sand Dunes & Beach – A Swahili fishing village north of Malindi, with towering white dunes running down to the Indian Ocean and a vast, uncrowded beach.
- Bio-Ken Snake Farm – A well-known snake research and rescue centre in Watamu, housing dozens of East African snake species. Guided tours are available, and visi…
Where to eat
- Dabaso Crab Shack – A community seafood shack beside the Mida Creek mangroves, built on stilts and known for sunsets, giant Mida crab and c…
- Hosteria Romana – A popular Italian restaurant in Watamu village, serving wood-fired pizza, handmade pasta and local seafood, bringing It…
- Willy Beach Restaurant – An affordable beachfront seafood spot at the southern end of Papa Remo Beach (Lovers' Bay) in Watamu, where you can eat…
Itineraries
- Swahili Coast: South to North – Travel from south to north visiting Diani, Mombasa, Watamu, and Lamu to experience pristine beaches and historic towns.