{"id":13365,"date":"2023-10-26T18:58:38","date_gmt":"2023-10-26T17:58:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nanoo.travel\/?p=13109"},"modified":"2025-11-02T16:18:15","modified_gmt":"2025-11-02T15:18:15","slug":"watamu-travel-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nanoo.travel\/en\/watamu-travel-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Kenya | Watamu, the ideal getaway between beach and safari"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

After a week’s intensive safari between the plains of the Masai Mara<\/a>, the shores of Lake<\/a>Naivasha<\/a> andAmboseli National Park<\/a>, a little rest couldn’t hurt… And there’s nothing better than a week in Watamu, a little corner of paradise on the edge of the Indian Ocean.<\/p>\n\n

\"Watamu<\/a><\/figure>\n\n
\n\t<\/div>\n\n
\n\n

Watamu in a few words<\/h2>\n\n

Located 105 kilometers north of Mombasa<\/strong> and 15 kilometers south of Malindi<\/strong>, Watamu is a small Swahili fishing village with fewer than 2,000 inhabitants<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n

A seaside resort that has become very popular with tourists in recent years, Watamu has nonetheless retained its calm and peaceful character<\/strong>, with traditional houses nestling in the palm grove<\/strong> and a wild coastline that is still little visited<\/strong>. A far cry from the resorts of Mombasa or Diani Beach… <\/p>\n\n

\"Traditional<\/a>
Traditional houses in Watamu (Copyright @St\u00e9phane Janssens)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

At low tide, the ocean retreats more than a kilometer from the coast, revealing the numerous rock and coral formations<\/strong> that divide the Watamu coastline into three idyllic bays<\/strong>: Watamu Bay, Turtle Bay and Blue Lagoon Bay<\/strong>. All are an integral part of Watamu Marine Park<\/strong>, renowned for its diversity of marine species and its commitment to environmental preservation. Watamu is also known asone of Kenya’s three main turtle nesting grounds<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

How to get to Watamu<\/h2>\n\n

When arriving from abroad<\/strong>, Moi International Airport in Mombasa is the nearest gateway<\/strong>. From here, overland transfers to Watamu<\/strong> are possible by bus<\/strong> (+\/- 3h drive via Malindi) or cab<\/strong> (approx. 2h drive).<\/p>\n\n

From Nairobi, you can reach Mombasa by plane, train or car<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n