Travel to Watamu

lovely beaches, strong diving and a laid-back feel

Watamu is the portion of the central Kenya Coast which is centred on a small town of the same name.

Unlike nearby Malindi, Watamu is much more of a village than a town, with a scattering of small shops and a reasonably hassle-free environment.

The coast is largely lined by sweeping white sand beaches, whilst just to the south lies the scenic Mida Creek with its mysterious mangrove forests.

Offshore lies an extensive system of reefs, which provide some of the best diving in the region.

Until relatively recently Watamu was considered to be a place to avoid the crowds, with a large number of private house rentals providing pleasantly low key accommodation.

But in recent years there has been considerable development and the place now has its share of large beach resorts, almost all of which often seem to offer very low rates in an attempt to attract visitors.

Overall the place feels slightly past its best, although there are some reasonably interesting accommodation options.

The Watamy area does combine very easily with overland safari through Tsavo East.

We tend to recommend Watamu for inclusion in trips relatively rarely.

However, there are occasions when it’s the right option, most commonly for divers who want to explore these specific waters or for people who are returning to this coast for the first time in many years and want to revisit old haunts.

rarely features in trips these days