Hotels in Watamu

Watamu: Coral Coast Town on Kenya's Indian Ocean Shore

Watamu sits 105 km north of Mombasa on Kenya's Malindi-Watamu coastline, where the Watamu Marine National Park — established in 1968 and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve — protects some of East Africa's most intact coral gardens. The bay curves into three sheltered coves backed by casuarina trees, and the water stays warm year-round, averaging 26–28 °C. Green and hawksbill turtles nest on the beaches between October and March, monitored by the Local Ocean Conservation programme operating since 1997.

Where to Stay in Watamu

Hotels line the Watamu Beach strip and the quieter Blue Lagoon headland to the south. Budget guesthouses cluster near the village centre off Watamu Road, while mid-range and full-board resorts face the marine park directly. Snorkelling, glass-bottom boat trips, and sport fishing for marlin and sailfish draw visitors from November through April, the dry northeast-monsoon season.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Malindi Airport (MYD), 19 km north, handles daily flights from Nairobi's Wilson Airport; the drive to Watamu takes 25 minutes.
• Best season: November to March offers calm seas and reliable sunshine; April–May brings heavy rains.
• Marine park fees: A daily reef entry fee applies; confirm the current rate at the Kenya Wildlife Service gate on arrival.
• Currency: Kenyan shilling (KES); ATMs are available in Malindi, so carry cash to Watamu.