Watamu Sights

  1. Bio Ken Snake Farm

    This excellent Bio Ken Snake Farm is by far the best of the snake parks along the coast. It was established by the late James Ashe, a reptile expert and former curator from the National Museums of Kenya, who achieved such recognition in his field that he even has a bush viper named after him.

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  2. KWS office

    To get to the Watamu Marine National Park you'll need to hire a glass-bottomed boat, which is easy enough at the KWS office, at the end of the coast road, where you pay the park fees.

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  3. Marine Information Centre

    Contact the Ocean Trust's Marine Information Centre if you're interested in the Watamu Turtle Watch or volunteering with local projects.

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  4. Mida Creek

    The extensive mangrove forests around Mida Creek, just south of Watamu, support a huge number of bird species, including the spectacular malachite kingfisher, yellow-billed stork and African fish eagle. It's paradise for bird-watchers and there is also some good snorkelling and scuba diving at the mouth of the creek.

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  5. Turtle Bay Discovery Centre

    All the big hotels offer 'goggling' (snorkelling) trips to nonguests. The best are the snorkel safaris run by zoologist Richard Bennett from the Turtle Bay Discovery Centre at Turtle Bay Beach Club.

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  7. Watamu Marine National Park

    The southern part of Malindi Marine Reserve, the Watamu Marine National Park includes some magnificent coral reefs and abundant fish-life. It lies around 2km offshore from Watamu. To get to the park you'll need to hire a glass-bottomed boat, which is easy enough at the KWS office, at the end of the coast road, where you pay the park fees.

    Read more about Watamu Marine National Park

  8. Watamu Turtle Watch

    Several species of marine turtle lay their eggs on the beaches around Watamu and Watamu Turtle Watch, part of the Local Ocean Trust, has set up a series of initiatives with local people to protect these threatened animals. Female turtles lay thousands of eggs here between January and April. Contact the trust's Marine Information Centre if you're interested in seeing this incredible natural spectacle or volunteering with local projects.

    Read more about Watamu Turtle Watch