With crystal clear waters and mushy white sands, the seashores in Watamu are an irresistible draw for vacationers from Kenya and different elements of the world. These gorgeous and pristine stretches of sand are strategically positioned alongside the shoreline, providing one thing interesting to everybody.
Whether or not you’re a watersports fanatic looking for a spot to surf or snorkel, a household in search of a spot for leisure and a few sunbathing, or a pair seeking to escape metropolis crowds, there’s a seashore in Watamu to completely fit your wants.
I’ve had the chance to go to Watamu a number of occasions, and most lately, I spent per week exploring its varied sights. This small coastal city is known for its stunning shoreline, extending from Jacaranda Bay to Quick Seaside, spanning north to south.
Should you’re contemplating a visit to Watamu quickly, be a part of me as I reveal the highest seashores of this implausible Kenyan vacation spot. Moreover, I’ll present my favourite restaurant and lodging suggestions close to every seashore.
Finest Seashores in Watamu
Learn on for a listing of my favourite seashores in Watamu. They embrace serene spots for superb white sands, thrilling watersport actions, and tranquil locations to calm down and rewind. These Watamu seashores are perfect for households, {couples}, these wishing to occasion, and sundown seekers.
1. Jacaranda Bay Seaside
Kicking off this record of the very best seashores in Watamu is Jacaranda Bay Seaside – my favourite. This off-track seashore on the northern tip of Watamu attracts fewer crowds, making it a really perfect spot for {couples} in search of a romantic retreat. It additionally transforms into pure swimming pools throughout low tide, creating the proper setting for a refreshing swim.
Beneath the blue waters of Jacaranda Bay, and in opposition to the backdrop of pristine white sands, lies the enchanting Sardinia 2. This coral backyard attracts snorkeling lovers with its colourful fish and delightful marine life, and when you see it, you’ll perceive why.
You’ll discover a number of seashore bars and eating places with clear services alongside the shore, together with bathrooms and altering rooms. For a memorable expertise, unwind at Marafiki Seaside Restaurant, the place you may get pleasure from contemporary meals and drinks, watch a magical sundown, and soak in breathtaking ocean views.
- Location: Kanani Highway, Watamu, Kenya
- Methods to Get There: Take a motorbike taxi or tuk-tuk from Watamu city
- Finest For: Gentle sands, seashore bars, swimming, browsing, and leisure
- Facilities: Eating places, altering rooms, and bathrooms
Lodging Close to Jacaranda Bay Seaside
There are few lodging services close to Jacaranda Bay Seaside owing to its secluded location. Nevertheless, you may try the next top-rated seashore homes:
Alawi Dwelling: This boutique seashore home options elegant rooms, an outside swimming pool, an on-site restaurant, and different nice facilities. It’s subsequent to the principle seashore and boasts a non-public sandy entrance. Click on right here for extra particulars.
Mirror Home Watamu: This one-bedroom villa gives lodging in a tranquil environment, supreme for {couples}. In addition to a completely outfitted kitchenette, it has a TV set and free WiFi and boasts an open-air bathtub with an ideal ocean view. Click on right here for extra particulars.
Jumbo Membership Watamu: This resort presents clear and air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, personal bogs, and a desk, making certain a snug keep, and one you may work from ought to you have to. You’ll get pleasure from extra facilities resembling an outside swimming pool, a bar, a restaurant, and free personal parking. Click on right here for extra particulars.
Eating places Close to Jacaranda Bay Seaside
My favourite seashore bars and eating places near Jacaranda Bay Seaside, Watamu are listed beneath:
Safina Seaside Bar & Restaurant: Safina presents a surprising ocean view and a menu that includes grilled seafood, native rice dishes, pizzas, gelatos, cocktails, and native beers. Attempt the scrumptious ugali samaki served with kachumbari, (a contemporary tomato and onion salad), and native greens. Click on right here for instructions.
Luwa Seaside Bar & Restaurant: It is a good spot for lunch close to Jacaranda Bay Seaside whereas having fun with the ocean view. They primarily concentrate on Italian pizzas, pasta, and seafood (prawns, fish, and lobsters). Click on right here for instructions.
Marafiki Seaside Bar & Restaurant: That is one other nice seashore bar and restaurant round right here (and one other of my favorites). In addition to scrumptious meals, together with Kenyan delicacies, Italian dishes, and seafood, they provide each alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Click on right here for instructions.
2. Watamu Seaside (Mapango)
Whether or not you’re seeking to catch a breaking wave or unwind on the mushy sands, Watamu Seaside (also referred to as Mapango) is a perfect vacation spot. The small stretch of sandy bliss is finest for households, first-time guests, and people in search of a calming escape.
Any time I go to Watamu Seaside, I like taking a leisurely stroll alongside the seashore or eating on the Kokomo Seaside Bar and Restaurant. From right here, you may witness the mesmerizing sundown over the water, with a picturesque backdrop of moored boats and youngsters taking part in within the shallows and constructing sand castles.
The seashore presents varied actions resembling swimming, boat rides, seashore sports activities, and the possibility to benefit from the sight of waves crashing in opposition to the towering rock cliffs close by. Should you favor to expertise the soothing sound of the ocean, you’ll discover a number of seashore bars and eating places outfitted with comfy solar loungers to look at the world go by.
- Location: Watamu Seaside, Kenya
- Methods to Get There: Take a motorbike taxi or a tuk-tuk and ask the rider to drop you off at Kokomo or Mapango Seaside eating places
- Finest For: Swimming, sunbathing, sunsets, and seashore sports activities
- Facilities: Watamu Seaside is house to a number of bars and eating places with clear bathrooms and altering rooms
Lodging Close to Watamu Seaside
Right here’s a listing of the very best lodging services close to Watamu Seaside:
Solana Residences: If you would like a spacious, totally outfitted self-catering studio residence close to Watamu Seaside, try this one-bedroom unit. Along with an outside pool and free WiFi, the Swahili-style residence has a non-public lavatory and extra facilities. Click on right here for extra particulars.
Dream Luxurious Villas: This mattress and breakfast villa, positioned 700 meters from Watamu Seaside, presents elegant rooms with a terrace, a non-public lavatory, free WiFi, an outside pool for leisure, and entry to a spa. You can too get pleasure from breakfast with continental, English, and Italian choices accessible for visitors. Click on right here for extra particulars.
Lalasalama B&B: For these searching for a budget-friendly keep in Watamu near the seashore, outlets, and leisure spots, I like to recommend Lalasalama. This modest mattress and breakfast options cozy rooms, a shared lounge, a restaurant, and free parking. Click on right here for extra particulars.
Eating places Close to Watamu Seaside
Watamu Seaside is lined with a number of good seashore eating places to strive. Try the next choices:
Kokomo Seaside Bar and Restaurant: That is my favourite restaurant for a night in Watamu Seaside that gives unimaginable ocean views throughout sundown over a beer or cocktail. Its menu options genuine Lebanese mezze, grilled fish, lamb kebab, and veggie burgers. Click on right here for instructions.
Sundown Seaside Restaurant: This spacious and comfortable seashore bar and restaurant is understood for serving the very best pizza in Watamu, together with vegetarian choices. It has pleasant employees, quite a lot of drinks, and a beautiful setting that’s good for a sundowner (or two). Click on right here for instructions.
Hosteria Romana Watamu: Should you crave Italian delicacies, be sure you head to this restaurant alongside Watamu Seaside Highway. Along with scrumptious pizza and pasta, you may order contemporary fish, lobsters, and prawns right here. Click on right here for instructions.
3. Turtle Bay Seaside
For vacationers preferring tranquility and those that crave ocean adventures, I like to recommend Turtle Bay Seaside. Right here, you may benefit from the seashore or take part in water actions resembling swimming, snorkeling, kitesurfing, and stand-up paddle boarding.
You’ll discover Turtle Dive Watamu beside the seashore, a middle that gives diving lessons and varied watersports. In addition they manage boat journeys to the Watamu Marine Nationwide Park, the place you may go scuba diving within the close by coral reefs, resembling Whaleshark, Mind Coral, and Nudi Reef.
Turtle Bay Seaside can be near Watamu’s top-rated motels for {couples} and households, resembling Medina Palms and Hemingways, making it the very best seashore in Watamu for holidays and honeymoons. Should you love purchasing and exploring a vacation spot’s culinary scene, many supermarkets, eateries, and craft outlets are lower than a ten-minute drive away.
- Location: J2P3+6C2, Watamu, Kenya
- Methods to Get There: Take a tuk-tuk or bike taxi out of your resort (the street to the seashore is simply after the Turtle Bay Resort)
- Finest For: Enjoyable in seashore resorts, mushy sand, swimming, snorkeling, and different watersports
- Facilities: Most resorts, motels, and dive facilities alongside Turtle Bay Seaside have all mandatory facilities and rental tools
- Finest Excursions: You’ll be able to be a part of this tour, which incorporates snorkeling, visiting Mida Creek, and exploring close by islands
Lodging Close to Turtle Bay Seaside
Turtle Bay Seaside is house to a few of the finest lodging services in Watamu. Try these top-rated seashore motels and their newest costs beneath:
Ocean Sports activities Resort: This resort is widespread amongst vacationers for its glorious location, pleasant employees, and delicacies (primarily contemporary seafood and pizzas). It options air-conditioned, ocean-facing rooms, a restaurant and bar, and an outside swimming pool. Click on right here for extra particulars.
Hemingways: That includes trendy Swahili-style suites with vivid interiors and personal bogs, Hemingways is among the finest motels in Watamu. The excellent facility additionally has an on-site restaurant, two swimming pools, and a spa. Click on right here for extra particulars.
Medina Palms: This 4-star seashore resort presents every little thing you want for an ideal trip. It’s near the seashore and options beautiful villas, suites, three swimming swimming pools, a restaurant, a espresso backyard, and a seashore bar. Click on right here for extra particulars.
Eating places Close to Turtle Bay Seaside
Should you’re searching for the very best locations to eat close to Turtle Bay Seaside, try the next eating places:
Turtle Bay Seaside Membership: The Turtle Bay Resort is house to a restaurant providing continental breakfast, buffet lunch, and varied dinner choices. It additionally has a pizzeria, a snack bar, and a reservations-only spot with a la carte menus (Blue Turtle). Click on right here for instructions.
Amandina Restaurant: This restaurant at Medina Palms presents an ideal outside setting to get pleasure from relaxed eating with household and buddies. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, that includes eclectic delicacies specializing in Italian dishes, contemporary seafood, and vegetarian choices. Click on right here for instructions.
Gede Espresso Gardens: This restaurant by Hemingways gives a white linen dinner expertise with scrumptious meals together with grilled beef fillets, karoo lamb, seafood, and vegetarian dishes. You can too get pleasure from a collection of drinks on the iconic Hemingways Bar. Click on right here for instructions.
4. Garoda Seaside
Garoda Seaside, the cleanest and calmest of Watamu seashores, boasts crystal blue waters and pristine white sands. It’s a favourite amongst locals and vacationers, incomes its status as top-of-the-line public seashores in Watamu.
Right here, you may stroll alongside the shore throughout low tide, taking within the breathtaking ocean view and refreshing sea breeze as you head towards Turtle Bay Seaside.
Not solely is Garoda Seaside an extremely serene spot, however it’s additionally a hub for journey seekers. It’s generally known as the last word kitesurfing vacation spot in Watamu, providing thrilling experiences for surfers of all ranges. Plus, it’s one of many launching factors for boat journeys to Watamu Marine Nationwide Park’s unimaginable snorkeling and swimming spots.
Should you’re desirous to be taught kitesurfing or enhance your current abilities, you’re in luck, as Garoda Seaside is house to Watamu Native Kitesurfing College. The middle presents classes for all talent ranges and tools leases.
Whereas Garoda Seaside might have restricted outlets, just a few promote beachwear, items, and souvenirs to recollect your go to. You’ll hardly discover any beachside bars with facilities resembling sunbeds and altering rooms, however close by motels provide these conveniences if wanted.
- Location: Off Turtle Bay Highway, Watamu, Kenya
- Methods to Get There: Take native transportation (taxi, bike, tuk-tuk) and ask the motive force to drop you there
- Finest For: Gentle sand, snorkeling, paddle boarding, and kitesurfing
- Facilities: Just a few outlets with altering rooms and bathrooms
Lodging Close to Garoda Seaside
Should you’re drawn to watersports and are planning to go to Garoda Seaside, listed below are a few of its finest locations to remain. They embrace lodges, camps, and B&Bs resembling Watamu Seaside Cottages – my favourite.
Kobe Suite Resort: This resort presents air-conditioned suites with gorgeous ocean views, and every suite comes with mosquito-net-draped beds and a non-public lavatory with bathe and bidet. It additionally boasts two outside swimming pools, a tropical backyard, a non-public seashore space, and a restaurant and bar. Click on right here for extra particulars.
Gecko Resort: The seashore resort presents clear, comfy rooms with stunning backyard views. Moreover, it incorporates a buffet restaurant, a bar, a swimming pool, and a small personal seashore, all complemented by welcoming employees and an important location subsequent to Garoda Seaside. Click on right here for extra particulars.
Bamba Kofi Tented Camp: This seashore camp in Watamu presents inexpensive lodging in tents surrounded by lush inexperienced vegetation and gives direct entry to Garoda Seaside. It has a completely outfitted outside kitchen, free WiFi, shared lavatory services, and an outside bathe. Click on right here for extra particulars.
Eating places Close to Garoda Seaside
Right here’s a listing of a few of the finest eating places close to Garoda Seaside in Watamu:
Prawn’s Lake Conservation Group: It is a pretty spot for watching the sundown over the creek and having fun with some scrumptious, contemporary seafood and native dishes. Check out the grilled octopus and their irresistible prawn samosas. Click on right here for instructions.
Pilipan Restaurant: Located on the identical creek as Prawn’s Lake, Pilipan presents an exquisite setting for having fun with golden hour with beers and cocktails. In addition they serve delicious meals resembling barbecued snapper, fish and chips, seafood skewers, and hen wings. Click on right here for instructions.
5. Papa Remo Seaside (Love Bay)
Subsequent up on our record of the best sandy seashores close to and round Watamu is the fascinating Papa Remo Seaside, additionally affectionately generally known as ‘Love Bay’ or ‘Seven Island Seaside’. This pretty seashore is located north of Watamu Seaside and presents breathtaking views of seven picturesque islets.
Should you’re in search of the very best seashore in Watamu for some vigorous enjoyable, Papa Remo is the place to be. In contrast to a few of the neighboring seashores, Papa Remo has all of the facilities you want; from seashore bars and eating places to altering rooms and seashore outlets. It’s additionally conveniently positioned near a few of the best motels within the space.
Right here, you may unwind, savor scrumptious meals, and sip your favourite drink in tranquility. Should you love nice music and dancing, I extremely suggest attending the Papa Remo Seaside Occasion. This thrilling occasion takes place each Saturday from 11 pm till late and is bound to be probably the most memorable experiences you’ll have out of your time in Watamu.
- Location: Jacaranda Highway, Watamu, Kenya
- Methods to Get There: Papa Remo Seaside is inside strolling distance from Watamu purchasing middle, or you may take a motorbike taxi or tuk-tuk
- Finest For: Partying, mushy sand, seashore bars and eating places, and leisure
- Facilities: Bars and eating places with altering rooms, bathrooms, and reward outlets
Lodging Close to Papa Remo Seaside
Just some minute’s drive from Watamu city middle, you’ll discover loads of locations to remain close to Papa Remo Seaside. These embrace the next really helpful resorts and a resort:
Visiwa Seaside Resort: Visiwa is an excellent boutique resort in Watamu close to Papa Remo Seaside with solely eight elegant rooms and three household residences. It additionally incorporates a restaurant, bar, outside swimming pool, and delightful backyard. Click on right here for extra particulars.
Crystal Bay Resort: This beachfront resort is ideal for {couples} and households in search of leisure and seashore exploration. It presents solar loungers, a buffet restaurant, a tropical backyard with well-tended flowering timber, and well-maintained swimming swimming pools. Click on right here for extra particulars.
Boutique Resort Nyumbani Tembo: For a clear and comfortable resort with spacious rooms and cozy beds in Watamu, guide your keep at Nyumbani. It presents a shared kitchen, lounge, restaurant, swimming pool, and a small backyard, conveniently positioned close to purchasing facilities and seashores like Papa Remo. Click on right here for extra particulars.
Eating places Close to Papa Remo Seaside
There are a number of locations to eat close to the attractive Papa Remo Seaside. A few of my go-to’s embrace the next seashore bars and eating places:
Tamu Restaurant: That is your finest wager if you happen to’re searching for a restaurant with a romantic vibe near Papa Remo. Though they’ve a seashore bar, I normally select to dine of their indoor house. It’s cozy and well-lit, and the sliced beef fillet is especially scrumptious. Click on right here for instructions.
Willy Seaside Watamu: Positioned on the southern finish of the seashore, Willy is one other glorious place to dine and chill. They concentrate on grilled seafood like octopus and lobsters, however you’ll additionally discover different dishes like hen, beef, and fried fish served with ugali (a standard kind of corn meal constituted of maize or corn flour). Click on right here for instructions.
Papa Remo Seaside Restaurant: That is my favourite restaurant alongside the Watamu shoreline for meals, leisure, and leisure. It presents each indoor and beachfront eating choices with scrumptious meals – principally contemporary seafood and Italian dishes. Click on right here for instructions.
6. Quick Seaside
Proper after Garoda Seaside, you’ll come upon Quick Seaside (on the southern finish of Watamu). It’s a hidden gem but to be found by many. This charming little location is like your individual personal paradise, usually quiet and empty, providing you with the luxurious of getting the entire shoreline to your self.
Quick Seaside is a peaceable spot and is ideal for anybody in search of some peacefulness by the ocean. When the tide goes out, you may take a leisurely stroll from Quick Seaside to Garoda Seaside and past, having fun with the attractive surroundings of waves, sandbars, and rocky cliffs. Nevertheless, it’s a good suggestion to go along with somebody who is aware of the tides effectively to keep away from getting misplaced.
Should you’re staying at Temple Level Resort, Quick Seaside is essentially the most accessible seashore. From right here, you may catch breathtaking sunsets at Lichthaus Bar, be a part of a day journey to Mida Creek and Sudi Island, and even guide a ship journey from the close by marine park workplace for snorkeling adventures.
Lodging Close to Quick Seaside
Though Quick Seaside is secluded, there are nonetheless a number of lodging services close by. These embrace the next:
Temple Level Resort: Positioned on the southern finish of Watamu, this resort boasts elegant rooms, a restaurant that mixes worldwide and Kenyan delicacies, a swimming pool with solar loungers, and a captivating bar overlooking Mida Creek. Click on right here for extra particulars.
Nyumba Nyekundu: Should you’re touring as a bunch or a household searching for an beautiful vacation house, try the “Pink Home.” It has an outside pool and wonderful models with all of the facilities for a memorable keep. Click on right here for extra particulars.
Eating places Close to Quick Seaside
Identical to motels, there are restricted eating places close to Quick Seaside. Nevertheless, you may dine at Temple Level’s Clubhouse Restaurant or its close by bar (see beneath):
Lichthaus: This bar by Temple Level is among the finest hangout spots in Watamu. It has hammocks and a terrace the place you may dine and drink whereas savoring a wide ranging sundown over Mida Creek. Check out the grilled garlic beef served with chips. Click on right here for instructions.
7. Mida Creek
Though Mida Creek might not qualify as a seashore, it presents a novel coastal expertise that’s effectively value exploring. Whereas it lacks the expansive white sands of different seashores throughout the bigger Watamu Marine Nationwide Park, it does boast small sandy stretches alongside its shores.
This coastal gem is known for its wealthy mangrove forests, offering the proper feeding floor for marine life together with lobsters, fish, crabs, and octopus. It’s additionally a haven for nature lovers and birdwatchers, because it attracts numerous species such because the sacred ibis, terek sandpiper, and the gray plover.
One other standout characteristic of Mida Creek is its sections of shallow waters, making it a wonderful selection for swimming.
From this considerably secret spot, you may embark on boat journeys and dhow cruises alongside the creek to witness the magical Watamu sundown. Should you’re up for some journey, you may be a part of day excursions to close by islands like Sudi and Waka Waka to discover extra of this distinctive ecosystem.
- Location: JXG9+W4M, Watamu, Kenya
- Methods to Get There: Entry from varied factors by boat, canoe, or dhow, or ask your lodging facility in Watamu to rearrange a visit
- Finest For: Sundown dhow cruises, birdwatching, and snorkeling journeys
- Facilities: Resorts surrounding Mida Creek have all the mandatory facilities
- Finest Excursions: Mida Creek Boardwalk and Canoa Trip
Lodging Close to Mida Creek
Right here’s a listing of a few of the finest locations to remain alongside the shores of Mida Creek, Watamu:
The Mida Creek Resort: This quiet and relaxed boutique resort is positioned on the south aspect of the Mida Creek. It has solely six rooms and options facilities together with a restaurant, an outside swimming pool, sundecks, and a health middle, making it supreme for households. Click on right here for extra particulars.
Rock and Sea Resort: This mattress and breakfast is house to cozy rooms, bush bubble domes, and a implausible restaurant serving scrumptious meals. It’s positioned on the identical aspect because the Mida Creek Resort, overlooking Quick Seaside on the opposite aspect. Click on right here for extra particulars.
Mida Creek Nature Camp: That is the proper place to remain close to Mida Creek (northern aspect) for funds vacationers and nature lovers. The eco-camp presents lodging in treehouses and tents in a serene atmosphere. Click on right here for extra particulars.
Eating places Close to Mida Creek
There are various locations to eat whereas exploring Mida Creek, and if you happen to be a part of a tour, you’ll almost certainly have lunch at Waka Waka or Sudi Island. That mentioned, listed below are my favourite eating places to choose from:
Panoramic Restaurant: This restaurant by Rock and Sea combines scrumptious meals with magical views of Mida Creek. Its multi-cuisine menu consists of tasty starters, primary programs, and a collection of wines from South Africa, Italy, and France. Click on right here for instructions.
Crab Shack Dabaso: Tucked in between the mangroves, this community-run restaurant is known for its nice meals, welcoming employees, and its superb viewpoint for magical sunsets over Mida Creek. I extremely suggest their seafood platter comprising prawns, grilled fish, calamari, octopus, crab, and lobster. Click on right here for instructions.
Seashores in Watamu: FAQs
Listed here are some solutions to essentially the most generally requested questions on visiting seashores in Watamu, Kenya:
With its mushy white sand and crystal-clear waters, Watamu Seaside is usually thought-about the very best within the space. Different nice choices embrace Garoda for watersports, Turtle Bay for households, and Jacaranda Bay for a quiet atmosphere.
Should you fancy a vigorous environment, I like to recommend Papa Remo Seaside for partying.
Turtle Bay Seaside is taken into account the very best seashore in Watamu for households. Due to its enchanting motels and calm waters, it’s supreme for kids to swim and play safely.
Jacaranda Bay Seaside is a well-liked selection amongst {couples} in Watamu for a romantic getaway, providing a tranquil and secluded setting. Watamu and Turtle Bay are additionally glorious selections.
Jacaranda Bay and Turtle Bay seashores are recognized for having the clearest and most pristine waters in Watamu.
Sure. Watamu is understood for its white sand seashores, particularly at widespread spots like Watamu Seaside, Turtle Bay, and Jacaranda Bay.
Seashores in Watamu are thought-about protected for guests. Nevertheless, it’s at all times sensible to observe native security pointers, train warning, and concentrate on your environment. Often verify the newest journey advisories for Kenya from the US, UK, and Canadian governments.
In Watamu, informal beachwear like swimsuits, shorts, and light-weight clothes are perfect for the tropical local weather. Nevertheless, it’s really helpful to decorate modestly when exterior of the seashore areas and when visiting non secular or cultural websites. Bear in mind sunscreen and a hat.
Now You Know The Finest Seashores in Watamu
As you’ve seen and skim, magnificent seashores are ample in Watamu, every with distinct character and attract. Watamu can be a spot the place the sunsets by no means fail to colorfully paint the sky, the waves lull you into leisure, and the nice and cozy hospitality of the locals makes you’re feeling proper at house.
Whereas right here, you may unwind on a solar lounger whereas sipping a cocktail, attend the Watamu seashore occasion, calm down beneath a palm tree with a superb guide, or dine at one in every of its many seashore eating places. Alternatively, the Watamu Marine Nationwide Park permits you to snorkel, swim, and surf.
So, if you happen to haven’t already, make Watamu your subsequent seashore vacation spot, and I promise you gained’t be dissatisfied. This coastal haven will seize your coronary heart and go away you craving for extra, simply because it’s repeatedly carried out for me.
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