Watamu

Watamu is a small, charming coastal village on Kenya's north coast, set along one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in East Africa. The village fronts three magnificent bays, each with its own character: Watamu Bay, a sweeping crescent of white sand; Turtle Bay, famous for its sea turtle nesting; and the Blue Lagoon, a shallow, crystal-clear pool formed by coral formations that creates a natural swimming pool of extraordinary beauty. The Watamu Marine National Park, established in 1968 as the oldest marine park in East Africa, protects a vibrant underwater world of coral gardens, sea grass beds, and over 600 species of fish.

Watamu is internationally recognised as one of the most important sea turtle conservation sites in the western Indian Ocean. The Local Ocean Conservation centre (formerly Watamu Turtle Watch) runs a highly successful bycatch release programme and turtle rehabilitation centre, where visitors can watch sea turtles being treated and released. Between November and March, green, hawksbill, and olive ridley turtles nest on Watamu's beaches. The offshore waters also attract whale sharks between October and March, and swimming alongside these gentle giants is one of the most thrilling marine encounters available in Kenya.

Beyond the ocean, Watamu is the gateway to the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, the largest remaining fragment of East African coastal forest and a globally important biodiversity hotspot. The forest shelters the endangered Aders' duiker, golden-rumped elephant shrew, and the Sokoke scops owl, species found almost nowhere else in the world. With its combination of pristine marine environments, world-class diving, turtle conservation, and rare forest ecosystems, Watamu punches well above its weight as a destination for eco-conscious travellers seeking an authentic coastal experience away from the crowds.