Holiday in Watamu
City in Kenya — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇰🇪
Country
Kenya
Type
City
Best time to travel
January to March (hot, dry, whale shark season) and June to October (cooler, dry). Avoid the rainy season in April-May.
Budget/day
60-130 €
Getting there from Germany
Flight to Mombasa (MBA, approx. 10-13 h with a layover) + 2 h transfer to Watamu. Or domestic flight Nairobi-Malindi. E-visa (€51, apply online in advance).
Deals for Watamu:
What makes Watamu special as a destination?
Watamu is a small coastal town on Kenya's north coast that has established itself as one of the best beach destinations in East Africa — with a surprisingly large Italian community that gives the place a Mediterranean flair. Here, you can find excellent pizzerias alongside Swahili street food and Chianti next to Tusker beer. The Watamu Marine National Park is one of the oldest marine protected areas in Kenya and is home to spectacular coral reefs, sea turtles, and dolphins. The Bio-Ken Snake Farm and the Watamu Turtle Watch program are exemplary conservation projects. Between October and March, you can observe whale sharks off the coast. The Gede Ruins — just 15 minutes away — are the atmospheric remains of a medieval Swahili town from the 12th century, overgrown in tropical forest with monkeys and butterflies. Mida Creek is a protected mangrove channel that invites relaxation during kayak tours and bird watching. Sardinia 2 Beach, Turtle Bay, and Garoda Beach offer powdery white sand and warm, calm waters — ideal for families. At low tide, natural pools form in the coral reefs where you can splash around like in a bathtub in the Indian Ocean.
What are the top highlights in Watamu?
The top highlights in Watamu include Watamu Marine National Park, Gede Ruins, Mida Creek, Whale Shark Season, Turtle Bay.
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Watamu Marine National Park
Spectacular coral reefs with turtles and dolphins: one of the oldest marine protected areas in Kenya.
Gede Ruins
Medieval Swahili ruins from the 12th century: atmospheric, overgrown in tropical forest with monkeys.
Mida Creek
Protected mangrove channel: kayak tours, bird watching, and spectacular sunsets.
Whale Shark Season
October to March: observe the gentle giants off Watamu's coast and snorkel with them.
Turtle Bay
Protected beach with warm natural pools at low tide: perfect for families and snorkelers.
Bio-Ken Snake Farm
Renowned snake farm and research station: experience venom extraction and species conservation up close.
Hotels in Watamu
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Reise-SIM für Watamu
Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Watamu?
The best time to visit Watamu is January to March (hot, dry, whale shark season) and June to October (cooler, dry). Avoid the rainy season in April-May.. 27-33 °C, hot and humid with monsoon winds In winter: 24-30 °C, pleasantly warm and dry, cooling breeze
Recommended travel time
January to March (hot, dry, whale shark season) and June to October (cooler, dry). Avoid the rainy season in April-May.
Summer
27-33 °C, hot and humid with monsoon winds
Winter
24-30 °C, pleasantly warm and dry, cooling breeze
How much does a holiday in Watamu cost?
Budget travellers: 25-50 €/day, mid-range: 60-130 €/day, luxury: 150-400 €/day.
Average costs per person per day
Budget
25-50 €
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
60-130 €
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
150-400 €
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
How do I get from Germany to Watamu?
Flight to Mombasa (MBA, approx. 10-13 h with a layover) + 2 h transfer to Watamu. Or domestic flight Nairobi-Malindi. E-visa (€51, apply online in advance).
Book a package holiday to Watamu
Compare thousands of package holidays to Watamu and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays nowWhat travel tips are there for Watamu?
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
E-visa — apply online in advance (€51). Yellow fever vaccination is checked upon entry.
Malaria prophylaxis — Watamu is in a malaria zone. Use mosquito repellent from dusk, wear long clothing in the evening, and use DEET repellent.
Italian food — Watamu has surprisingly good pizzerias and gelaterias thanks to the large Italian community.
Whale shark snorkeling — book tours with local providers (approx. €50-80). Season October-March, best chances November-February.
Matatu to Malindi — the local minibus costs less than €1 for the 15 km route. Adventurous but authentic.
What should you eat in Watamu?
Typical specialities in Watamu: Biryani ya Samaki — Swahili fish biryani with saffron and coconut milk: Kenyan coastal cuisine at its finest., Maharagwe ya Nazi — red beans in coconut milk: creamy Swahili comfort food, served with chapati., Pizza Napoletana — thanks to the Italian community, authentic wood-fired pizza: unusually good for East Africa., Mahamri — sweet, cardamom-spiced fried buns: for breakfast with chai, Watamu's morning ritual., Dawa Cocktail — vodka with lime and honey: Kenya's national cocktail, perfect on the beach at sunset..
These specialties you must try!
