Things to do in Watamu
Things to do in Watamu : One of the Kenya tours/ Kenya safaris most visited part on the kenya coast is Watamu. Situated on a short promontory between Watamu Bay and the Blue Lagoon, Watamu is situated on Kenya’s Indian Ocean Coast, 105 kilometres north of Mombasa and 15 km south of Malindi. Not many people are aware of Watamu, a small, charming, and undiscovered fishing village in Kenya that is a veritable paradise. Watamu, a true gem in enchanted Kenya, should be on your bucket list because of its white sand beaches, offshore coral formations, azure blue Indian Ocean waters, mangroves, and rich cultural safari tours to explore the past.
Visit Watamu Beach
Start your kenya safari tours/ kenya tour holiday at one of the most stunning locations in the area, which is recognised as one of the greatest beaches in the world. Watamu Beach is never crowded, so you can have some alone time with your loved ones. From the beach, you can see the azure waves of the ocean. When the weather warms up, all you need to do is jump into the ocean and unwind. Following that, you can have your favourite beverage or locally produced palm wine while soaking up the sun. Take a stroll along the beach to take in the scenery and chat with the locals, who occasionally sell tourists trinkets like bracelets and shells that would make the perfect status symbol. Every time you’re feeling peckish, local street food will satiate your cravings and leave you in awe of how delicious they are. Take a stroll in the evening to enjoy the fresh wind and sunset sights as you wrap up your day. Anyone would consider horseback riding at the seashore to be an kenya tour experience of a lifetime. Thus, make sure you completely enjoy while at the beach if you want to keep your visit exciting.
Stay at Hemingways Hotel watamu
The 21 opulent apartments that make up the stunning Hemingways Residences are situated along this coastal town’s silky white sand beach. These apartments are a part of Hemingways Watamu, a five-star boutique hotel on the Indian Ocean that offers memorable experiences presented with classic touches of elegant, world-class hospitality. It is an oasis of tranquilly. The Hemingways Residences are magnificent in every manner. They are tastefully decorated with modern elegance and flair to create the perfect setting for peaceful days of enjoyment. Think of completely equipped and furnished modern kitchen arenas, cosy lounges, and dining rooms that flow naturally onto the vast expanse of light-filled wide-vista verandas.
Visit Gedi National Monument
Gedi National Monument is managed by the National Museums of Kenya and features ruins, a butterfly sanctuary, and a snake park. Nestled between Watamu and Malindi, the 13th-century Gede Ruins are an old village encircled by tropical trees. The reason Gede was abandoned centuries ago still baffles academics; it was once a prosperous, cosmopolitan area with archaeological evidence of artefacts from all over the world, such as Venetian glass and Ming Chinese vases. The location was home to a palace, mosques, multiple homes, and stone-pillar tombs, according to the crumbling ruins, but no sign of the previous occupants can be seen. Though it’s a ghost town, it’s a fantastic opportunity to learn more about a little-known period of history.
Tour Bio-Ken snake park
The amazing research centre and snake farm, which has the biggest snake collection in East Africa, is one of the most fascinating things to do in Watamu. Normally, villagers bring or rescue snakes to the farm, where they are held for educational purposes before being released back into Arabuko Sokoke Forest. For Ksh 1000, visitors can enjoy a fascinating guided tour of over 100 species, including chameleons, tortoises, snakes, and lizards, at Bio-Ken.
Watamu Marine National Park
One of the oldest and greatest places to snorkel on the coast is Watamu Marine National Park, a United Nations Biosphere Reserve that is best visited early in the morning. Watamu town is 4.2 kilometres away. This Kenya safari tours with more than 600 different types of fish, the crystal-clear waters make it easy to spot them, and compared to Wasini in Diani, there’s a greater likelihood of seeing dolphins. You may get a peek of this underwater world by diving into the warm, clear water of Kenya’s best-protected coral reef. At low tide, you can swim out to the reef or even take a boat excursion. The main beach in Watamu is home to green, hawksbill, and olive ridley turtle nests, which can be seen from April to October.
The roughly 150 types of hard and soft coral that live here, including sponges, delicate fan corals, and brain-looking corals, are what make the coral itself a highlight. The cost of the boat ride can be negotiated with the merchants, although the admission charge is Ksh 200 for adults and Ksh 125 for children.
Mida Creek
Sail down Mida Creek in style in a magnificent dhow and enjoy a cocktail (or mock tail) as the sun sets. Trips are offered at dusk and consist of a sailing journey down the stream accompanied by refreshments and snacks, or a complete meal. Mangroves and palms make up Mida Creek Reserve, a remarkable tidal ecology that is home to a wide variety of birds and marine creatures. A stroll along the suspended walkway with views over the stream among the mangroves would be part of the excursion. The Mida Creek Conservation Community, which operates a local crab shack restaurant (Crab shack Dabaso restaurant) and a crab farm, will greet you here.Take your time, relax in the breathtaking surroundings, and savour the well-known crab samosas as the sun sets.
Visit the Seven islands
Situated on the edge of the Indian Ocean, with a view of Watamu’s seven islands, this opulent apartment complex is among the best in the area. The resort, which gets its name from the seven islands that make up Crystal Bay, is well-known for its weekly huge beach parties. Walk-in guests are welcome to attend the celebration; the entrance fee is Ksh 500 for males and Ksh 250 for women.
Visit the Love Island
A group of small islands can be seen near offshore Watamu Beach. The most well-known and stunning is unquestionably Love Island, a heart-shaped stretch of brilliant white sand exposed during low tide. It is simple to get up close and personal with marine life on this island, including puffers, starfish, crabs, corals, octopuses, oysters, and more. Love Island is literally only a short walk from the beach—if the water is low enough. You can ask any of the numerous local fishermen to give you a lift for a nominal price if the tide is high. Peddlers and local businesses will try to upsell you on a full- or half-day tour of Love Island. Since the island is only 1 km offshore, you can enjoy a short walk by yourself during low tide without having to pay for an organised guided safari tour.