Overview
Malindi and Watamu villages are known for their wonderful Indian Ocean beaches, which are among the best and most picturesque in Kenya.
Understand
Malindi has very nice hotels, visited mostly by Italian tourists. The beaches of Malindi are not as spectacular as the Watamu beaches (25 km to the south), and a disadvantage is that the sea is often coffee brown from the Sabaki River, which is not the case in Watamu.
Get in
By plane Malindi Airport is a small airport where international flights do not land, only national ones. The arrival is therefore with change in Mombasa (about 110 km away) or Nairobi (570 km).
National connections: Jambojet: flies from Jomo Kenyatta Nairobi and Lamu. Fly540 Air: flies from Jomo Kenyatta Nairobi and Lamu. Airkenya: flies from Wilson Airport Nairobi and Lamu. Mombasa Air Safari: flies from Mombasa and Lamu.
Malindi is connected by intercity coaches from Mombasa and Nairobi on a regular schedule. Modern Coast buses from Nairobi. Dreamliner buses from Nairobi. Buscar EA buses from Nairobi. Pwani Tawakal buses from Mombasa. Mash Poa buses from Nairobi. Tahmeed buses from Mombasa. Hakuna Matatu Bus buses from Nyali, Kilifi, Diani Beach and Watamu
It is not safe to travel by bus from Malindi to Lamu. You must fly.
Get around
Cheaper, greener and even more fun is a bicycle boda boda (ride pillion on the cushion over the back wheel) but disappears because of motorbike taxi. Normal taxis are the safest and most comfortable transport, and for your safety should be preferred over tuk-tuks and motorbike taxis at night.
See
Vasco da Gama Pillar. After being turned away from Mombasa, it was here where the explorer Vasco de Gama landed. The pillar stands at the point where he came ashore. There is an entrance fee to see the pillar.
Malindi Museum Society. The two-room museum features temporary exhibits including famous Malindi Coelacanth. It is housed in a two-storey building dating from 1891 also known as House of Columns.
Portuguese chapel. Built by Vasco de Gama in 1498 during his first exploration trip to India, it is the oldest Portuguese sanctuary in East Africa.
Falconry of Kenya. Small zoo especially with birds and reptiles. Ambience a bit grubby but especially for children an interesting visit! With bar and restaurant ", but rather lower level. Birds of prey, owls, young crocodiles, monitor lizards, snakes, turtles and the famous bush baby, a primate species, can also be seen.
Watamu. Watamu is not a city but a fishing village known for its scenic beaches (Jacaranda, Garoda, Turtle Bay). It has many pretty Italian style restaurants, but also local cuisine in two clubs. The beaches are of special beauty with many coves and rocks and which are also good for walks across the mudflats. It's a centre of tourism and safe to walk around even at night.
The Hanging Gardens of Malindi. The Hanging Gardens of Malindi are the only orchid nursery in Kenya. Specializing in orchids and tillandsands (Spanish moss).
Do
Scuba dive. There are plenty of places to hire kit, join a group or get instruction in the beach hotels.
Snorkel. best place is near Jacaranda Beach Resort. Tours start by boat from Watamu Beach.
Walk or jog. The huge, magnificent white beach north of the pier is perfect.
Surf. Anywhere north of the Eden Roc from May to October.
Kitesurf. There's a school north of the town.
Watamu beaches The fine sandy beaches of Watamu are among the best and most scenic beaches in Kenya. The main beaches are:
Turtle bay beach. A beautiful bay with fine light sand runs parallel to the coast road reachable through either one of the hotel resorts or one of several narrow entrances between the resorts.
Mapango Beach. The small bay impresses with its turquoise blue water and snow-white sand.
Garoda Beach. A picturesque, fine sandy beach. Sometimes with strong winds and strong current
Malindi Marine Park Beach. South of Malindi.
Buy
Malindi Town is mostly clogged with traffic, which makes shopping a bit stressful, while in Watamu it's much more relaxed. There is a curio (tourist) market, close to the pier. On the main market in the old town, all kinds of foodstuffs are available.
Oasis Mall. Many stores and a large supermarket.
I & M Bank. Has a no-fee Mastercard ATM.
Barclays Bank & Standard Chartared bank. Both banks' ATMs have a Ksh 399 fee for all overseas cards.
7 To 7 Supermarket. Lamu road. 7AM-7PM. Wide variety or goods for sale. Sells cheese. Reasonable prices.
Eat
I Love Pizza. Reasonably priced pizzas, seafood and meat dishes. One of the longest running restaurants in Malindi.
Driftwood Beach Club. Restaurant open daily, and has snack menu during the day. Popular curry lunch every Sunday overlooking the Indian Ocean.
Osteria. Italian, seafood, Mediterranean.
There are many restaurants and bars in Watamu. Due to the domination of Italian and British tourists the dishes are adjusted to the taste of these guests.
Papa Remo. Italian, seafood, Mediterranean.
Safina Beach Bar & Grill. African, seafood.
Crab Shack Dabaso Mida Restaurant. Seafood.
Drink
Pata Pata Beach Club. One of the most beautiful Malindi nightclubs. Very large and live music.
Fermento Disco Bar. One of the best night clubs of Malindi.
Come Back Club. Very nice place with African and European music managed by an Italian.
Club Kalahari. One of the best clubs in Watamu.
Sleep
Accommodation in Malindi is not expensive but it's recommended that you get a guest house.
Kola Beach Resort. One of the best hotels in Malindi, with 3 swimming pools, 17 villas (where the rooms of the resort are) surrounded by a tropical garden of palms and bougainvillea, conference room, one reception, the Gold 55 Restaurant on the beach and a self catering villas area with 4-bedroom villas, kitchen, living room, 4 bathrooms, veranda and balcony (for sale and for rent).
Tana Guest House. Single/double rooms outside bathroom.
Sun Park Hotel. Fan single double rooms with private bathroom. Free breakfast. Free Wi-fi. Has a restaurant.
Ajab Delta Hotel. Clean fan single double rooms with own bathroom TV and free breakfast.
Young Safari Hotel. Single double rooms with own bathroom. Free Wi-Fi.
Comfy Place Guest House. Single double rooms with own bathroom. Balcony, free Wi-Fi.
Golanis Hotel. Since 1975, this budget hotel is run by a very friendly lady. The interior is old, but clean and very appropriate. Rooms have fans and (mostly) shower and toilet. Breakfast included.
Temple Point Resort. Nice and quiet but a bit isolated.
Turtle Bay Beach Resort. Nice beach, good hotel with partly English-style food.
Medina Palms. Very luxurious, one of the best in the area.
Watamu Treehouse. Good food, nice rooms with beautiful views of the Indian Ocean and panoramic views of the surrounding forest area.
Doum Palm & Eco Tower. Art hotel with few walls and lots of coloured glass and very special design. Absolutely worth to visit even only for viewing.
Make Malindi your own.
Before committing, pick one main reason for this visit and two nearby experiences that support it. Check the guide’s transport sections against current operator information. A convenient base can save more time than adding another attraction.
- Choose your arrival point and one base. Write down the real transfer time, not just the map distance.
- Build a first-day plan with room to settle in. Cluster the places you want to see rather than crossing the city repeatedly.
- Use actual accommodation and transport quotes in your budget. Add fees to the quote before comparing it.
- Keep one uncommitted block. Weather, energy and a good local recommendation can all change your plan.
Source transparency
This guide adapts licensed text by Wikivoyage contributors. It is not a claim that Lakhou has visited or independently verified every listing. We converted the source to plain text, selected practical sections and removed price sentences and private contact information. The planning framework and any related-business booking recommendations above are Lakhou editorial additions.
Original revision 5353366 · Contributor history · CC BY-SA 4.0. Reused text and adaptations on this page are available under that license. Source revision date: 2026-09-12. This is not a date of field verification.
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