Nine Beautiful Attractions In Watamu, Kenya
The beautiful attractions in Watamu make it a beautiful, underrated location where you combine archaeological sites dating back hundreds of years with lush forests home to elephants, sandy beaches and coral gardens.
The small but beautiful coastal town is situated just over 100km north of Mombasa, and less than 30 minutes from Malindi, featuring a shoreline of wonder and a lifestyle driven by harmony with nature and an unbreakable connection between the residents. Here, the metropolitan chaos of Nairobi and Mombasa are forgotten, and a calm excitement settles in.
The shoreline is arranged in different bays and beaches, namely Garoda Beach, Turtle Bay, Blue Lagoon Bay, Watamu Bay and Jacaranda beach, all protected as part of the Watamu Marine National Park. The Marine Park is considered to be one of the best snorkelling and diving sites on the East African coast, and with its sparkling white sand beaches, it is also rated the third-best beach in Africa.
With the diversity of culture and attractions in Watamu, your holiday can be anything from a peaceful beach getaway to an adventurous trip or even an educational excursion. I’d say that mine was all three wrapped up together by the warmth of the sun and was worth the wait after four lockdowns.
As I touched down at Malindi Airport after what I’d say was a spontaneous booking, the humid and salty air hit me delightfully, and I was beyond thrilled to be on a holiday that combined everything I loved about travelling and you will too!
Travel and Accommodation In Watamu
The best way to get to Watamu is to fly into Malindi, and then taking a cab/hotel transfer to your accommodation. Unless things have changed since I’ve written this, there is no Uber or Bolt in Watamu, however as a tourist hotspot, independent cab drivers and companies are plentiful.
Hotels range from 3* to 5*, all located on the beachfront, and you can book beach houses or villas too. Some of the most popular places include:
Nine Beautiful Attractions In Watamu
Sail Around Mida Creek
Mida Creek is a wide broad water creek surrounded by mangroves and palm trees, stretching from the ocean into the Arabuko Sokoke forest. The creek is best explored by boat, especially if you cruise through at sunset when the water is glimmering in gold, and the sky is filled with birds. Mida is a stopover point for many migratory birds and an important protected area for their survival, making it one of the most important and beautiful natural attractions on the Kenyan coast.
Visit The Gedi Ruins
A historical, abandoned city hidden by tropical forest, Gedi is believed to have been established in the 13th century and was inhabited by the locals and traders and sailors from around the world. Unlike other well-known Swahili towns such as Lamu, Mombasa and Zanzibar, almost no historical record was made of Gedi, nor was it marked on maps from that period. The reason for the secrecy surrounding the existence of Gedi is unknown, and the cause of its downfall also remains a mystery.
As a result, walking through the ruins is fascinating as you come across a collection of medieval architecture, including a palace, a mosque and even a bank, showcasing how the Gedi people may not have been so different from you and me.
The flora and fauna is this regions is also just as intriguing, so don’t forget to look out for the rare Mugumo tree.
I’m not a big fan of tour guides, I prefer to explore a place on my own terms, but Watamu relies heavily on tourism so its a great way to support the local economy, and you learn a lot more about the ruin’s history.
The Local Ocean Trust
Exploring the Local Ocean Trust is one of the best attractions in Watamu because it is a conservation-focused trust that protects particular marine areas and endangered species in the region. A visit here gives you insight into the work they do on anti-poaching patrols and nest protection and are also home to the only marine turtle rehabilitation facility in East Africa.
The Bio-Ken Snake Farm
While this does not sound particularly fun for people that are afraid of snakes, reptile lovers will feel right at home. You can explore the farm to learn about these reptiles and their behaviours through a guided tour by their highly skilled snake farm experts.
Arabuko Sokoke Forest
The Arabuko Sokoke Forest is the largest remaining coastal forest in Eastern Africa. Some of Kenya’s rarest animals, like the Sokoke Bushy-tailed mongoose and the golden-rumped elephant shrew, are found here. With over 270 bird species and over 260 butterfly species, this a paradise for nature walks, cycling, and hiking.
The Marafa Depression
The Maraca Depression, sometimes called Hell’s Kitchen because temperatures go up to 50 degrees Celsius in the summer, is a great sandstone ridge that has been worn by natural weather phenomena into a series of jagged gorges. The layer of stones in the canyon reveals colours of white, pink, orange and deep crimsons that makes the places especially striking at sunset.
Lichthaus by Temple Point
The waterfront restaurant is the perfect place to spend the day eating delicious cuisine and swimming in clear waters, or to simply have a sundowner. However, no matter how long you stay, don’t forget to carve out time to lay on hammocks that hang over the sea. You definitely leave the place relaxed and mesmerised.
Snorkelling
No list expressing the attractions in Watamu in complete without trying to convince visitors to indulge in pleasant activity in the water. The region’s beautiful coral reefs and fantastic variety of fish species, allows the Watamu Marine Park to provide excellent conditions for snorkelling.
Scuba Diving
Watamu is pretty much a water sports heaven. If you want to take you water adventures to another level, there are about twenty diving sites around that are appropriate for divers with a variety of experience. You can swim with turtles, fish and also explore beyond the coral reef. If you are lucky, you might spot a pod of dolphins!
P.S most resorts also offer free non-motorised, on-site water sports such as bodyboarding, canoeing, kayaking and windsurfing. However, you can also participate in other types at an additional charge.
Average Cost For Five Days In Watamu Per Person
Transport (flights from Nairobi + local travel): £200
Accommodation: £300 (£600 per double)
Attractions: £150
Food and amenities: depends on if you stay in an all inclusive hotel or not.
Practical Information About Watamu
Location: Kenya, East Africa
National Languages: Swahili and English
Currency: Kenyan shilling
Neighbouring Countries: Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia
2 Comments
Khilna Shah
Till the next time.
Happy to know it was a dream come true
Sanika Shah
Definitely!