Watamu

Watamu is a coastal town made up of several bays with white sandy beaches and a relaxed atmosphere. It is home to a large Italian community, which has influenced the local restaurant scene. You’ll find excellent coffee, good ice cream and plenty of Italian-inspired restaurants throughout town.

Aktivitäten

Go snorkelling or scuba diving in Watamu Marine National Park. More than 20 dive sites can be reached within 30 minutes of town.
Try kitesurfing at Turtle Bay, Garoda Beach or Jacaranda Beach.
Join a dhow or dolphin-watching trip, often combined with snorkelling, a seafood lunch on a sandbank or a sunset cruise.
Explore Mida Creek by kayak, paddleboard or traditional dhow. The creek is also a great spot for birdwatching and sunset trips.
Visit Marafa (“Hell’s Kitchen”), a sandstone canyon known for its colourful rock formations. Late afternoon is the best time to visit, when temperatures are cooler and the light is at its best.

Restauranttipps

Crab Shack
A community-run restaurant in the mangroves. Canoes can be rented here for a paddle through the creek. Don’t miss the crab samosas!
Lichthaus
A waterfront bar known for its sunset views, relaxed atmosphere and hammocks overlooking the water.
Pilipan
Indian cuisine, good cocktails and views over a prawn lake.
Kokomo
Lebanese dishes served right on the beach in a sheltered bay.
Naturalmente Pane Bakery & Coffee
A good choice for breakfast, pastries, sandwiches and proper espresso coffee.
Ocean Sports Restaurant
A relaxed beachfront restaurant popular for lunch, seafood and sundowners.

Day trip to Kilifi

Kilifi is a laid-back coastal town about an hour’s drive from Watamu. Set along a scenic creek, it has a more local feel than many of Kenya’s beach destinations.

On cloudy nights, you may be lucky enough to spot bioluminescence, sometimes called “sea sparkle”, in the creek.

Kilifi is popular with backpackers, digital nomads, kitesurfers and creatives. Some of our favourite places include:

Salty’s
Located on Bofa Beach, this popular beachfront spot serves good food and drinks and is especially popular at sunset. It also has a kitesurfing centre.
Distant Relatives
An eco-lodge set among the mangroves. Stop by for a meal or drink, or stay overnight in one of the lodge’s unique accommodations.
Nautilus
A seafood restaurant overlooking the creek.
The Food Movement
A creative community space set on a former sisal plantation, combining workshops, studios, shared workspaces and sustainable development projects.
Beneath the Baobabs Festival
Visiting over New Year? This annual festival takes place in the baobab forest near Kilifi and attracts music lovers from across Kenya and beyond.