A small coastal town between Malindi and Kilifi, known for its marine park, coral gardens, turtles and calm bays
Watamu is a relaxed town on Kenya's north coast, built around a small headland between Watamu Bay and the Blue Lagoon. A string of bays and coves, including Turtle Bay, are separated by low coral cliffs and islets, and at low tide the sea retreats to reveal sandbanks and rock pools. Just offshore, coral gardens host hundreds of species of fish along with turtles, octopus and rays, making Watamu one of the best snorkelling and diving areas on the East African coast.
The town itself mixes fishing villages, small hotels, villas and restaurants, and the community is closely involved in protecting the sea. Local groups patrol turtle nesting beaches and run rescue and release programmes, while the nearby mangroves and forests add birdlife and quiet walks to a beach holiday. Gede Ruins, Mida Creek and the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest are all within a short drive.
Archaeological finds suggest people have lived at Watamu since at least the 13th century, when it formed part of the network of Swahili trading settlements that included nearby Gede. Fishing and coconut farming sustained the area for centuries.
The Kenyan government established the Watamu Marine National Park in 1968, among the country's first marine protected areas, and in 1979 it became part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Tourism grew from the late 20th century, and Watamu now has a population of around 30,000. Coral bleaching in 1997 and 1998 and pressure from coastal development have made conservation a central concern for the community.
Watamu's population is a mix of Mijikenda and Swahili families, Kenyans from upcountry and a long-established Italian community, which shows in the many pizzerias and gelato shops alongside Swahili restaurants. Fishermen land their catch on the beach in the mornings, and grilled fish, octopus curry and coconut rice are local favourites. Fishermen also take part in turtle conservation, releasing turtles caught in their nets.
Glass-bottom boats and snorkelling trips head out to the coral gardens about 300 metres offshore, and dive centres offer reef and deeper dives, with whale sharks and manta rays possible in season. Local Ocean Conservation's Marine Information Centre explains its turtle rehabilitation and nest protection work. On land, visitors explore Gede Ruins, take a guided boardwalk walk over the mangroves of Mida Creek, or go birdwatching in the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest.
December to March offers the calmest, clearest water and the best snorkelling, with sea temperatures near 30°C. July to October is also dry but windier, with cooler water. The long rains from April to June bring rough seas and more seaweed. Turtle nesting takes place through much of the year, with hatchlings emerging some weeks after nests are laid.
Checked against the sources on 29 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.
General guidance from our specialists, not official information.
Gede Ruins is a few kilometres inland, and Mida Creek's mangroves and tidal flats lie just to the south-west. The Arabuko-Sokoke Forest borders the area, and Malindi, with its marine park and old town, is about 15 km north. Kilifi and its creek are to the south on the road to Mombasa, and Lamu is reached by a short flight from Malindi.
Lamu Old Town, on Lamu Island in the far north of Kenya's coast, is regarded as the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in East Africa and has been lived in for more than 700 years. Its narrow lanes, coral-stone houses and seafront are explored on foot or by donkey, as there are almost no cars.
ExploreA marine park and reserve near the Tanzanian border, made up of small coral islands, fringing reefs and open channels where dolphins are often seen. Boat trips leave from Shimoni and usually combine snorkelling in the park with a visit to Wasini Island, a quiet island with no cars.
Explore
Kenya · 7 nights4★ LodgeKenya · 9 nights4★ ResortThis guide was researched from the sources below and reviewed by our team on 29 October 2026. Facts under “Verified information” link to the page they were checked on; travel tips are general guidance. Photos are credited on each image. The ambient recording’s author and licence are shown in the sound player.
