Watamu is quieter than Diani and, for a lot of travellers, the more beautiful of the two. Three crescent bays, weathered coral heads offshore, and water inside the reef that glows an improbable turquoise.
The marine park was gazetted in 1968, one of the first in Africa, and its coral gardens are shallow enough to snorkel comfortably. Between October and February whale sharks pass through.
Inland, the thirteenth-century Swahili town of Gede sits abandoned in the forest, and the Mida Creek boardwalk gives the coast's best sunset.
Day 1
Fly to Malindi or take the SGR to Mombasa and transfer north. Check in at Watamu and spend the afternoon on the beach.
Day 2
A morning glass-bottom boat trip into the marine park with two snorkelling stops over the coral gardens. Afternoon free, with optional diving at Turtle Bay.
Day 3
A morning at the Gede ruins with a guide, then a visit to the Local Ocean Trust turtle rehabilitation centre. Late afternoon we head to Mida Creek for the mangrove boardwalk and sunset over the water.
Day 4
A free morning and late checkout, then transfer for the return flight or train.
Beachfront hotel on Watamu bay with pool, restaurant and direct beach access. Twin-share by default.
Departure pattern: Twice monthly · School holidays · Private dates on request. Private dates available on request for any group size.
Between roughly October and February, when they pass along this coast. Sightings are never guaranteed but Watamu is one of the better places in Kenya to try.
Diani has more nightlife, more watersports and a longer beach. Watamu is quieter, has better snorkelling straight off the boat and more to see inland. If you want to switch off, choose Watamu.
Diani Beach, Kwale County
Four days on Africa's most-awarded beach with a dolphin boat trip, a Wasini dhow day and three nights beachside.
From
Ksh 18,000Ksh 20,000
per person
Stone Town & Nungwi, Zanzibar
Stone Town, Prison Island, Nakupenda sandbank and swimming with turtles — by road from Nairobi and the Azam ferry from Dar es Salaam.
From
Ksh 65,000
per person
