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Boats in Malindi Malindi is a beach city in Kenya.

Malindi and Watamu village, 25 km to the south, are known for their Indian Ocean beaches, which are among the best and most picturesque in Kenya. Malindi has very nice hotels, visited mostly by Italian tourists. The beaches of Malindi are not as spectacular as the Watamu beaches, and a disadvantage is that the sea is often coffee brown from the Sabaki River, which is not the case in Watamu.

Vasco da Gama pillar alt=Church Malindi.JPG

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, Beach Rd (From the Baobab bar/restaurant and walk towards the town. You will reach the House of Columns jon your left after a about 5 minutes. From town it is just past the Beach Road Curio market, on your left., +254 727 411 426. 9AM-4PM. Visit the museum which has very useful and interesting booklets for sale at low prices, and some exhibits. The museum is at present in the process of moving from its attractive and historic building 'The House of Columns' to a more historic building, recently renovated, 'The Old D.O.'s Office' near the easily noticed 'Sail Monument' (to Prince Henry the Navigator) where there are more exhibits. While you are in Malindi, why not join the Malindi Museum Society. You can do this at the House of Pillars (see above) as a visitor for Ksh 600 which gives free entry to all of the Museums of Kenya sites and buildings, in Malindi and on the coast. Ksh 200.
Portuguese chapel, Silversand Road. 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, +254 722 346491. 9AM-5:30PM. 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. Its a centre of tourism and safe to walk around even at night.

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, Beach Rd (From the Baobab bar/restaurant and walk towards the town. You will reach the House of Columns jon your left after a about 5 minutes. From town it is just past the Beach Road Curio market, on your left., +254 727 411 426. 9AM-4PM. Visit the museum which has very useful and interesting booklets for sale at low prices, and some exhibits. The museum is at present in the process of moving from its attractive and historic building 'The House of Columns' to a more historic building, recently renovated, 'The Old D.O.'s Office' near the easily noticed 'Sail Monument' (to Prince Henry the Navigator) where there are more exhibits. While you are in Malindi, why not join the Malindi Museum Society. You can do this at the House of Pillars (see above) as a visitor for Ksh 600 which gives free entry to all of the Museums of Kenya sites and buildings, in Malindi and on the coast. Ksh 200.

Portuguese chapel, Silversand Road. 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, +254 722 346491. 9AM-5:30PM. 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. Its a centre of tourism and safe to walk around even at night.

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.

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 Beach

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
Papa Remo Beach.

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

Papa Remo Beach.

Malindi Beach. North of Malindi.
Malindi Marine Park Beach. South of Malindi.
Silversand Beach. South of Malindi.

Malindi Beach. North of Malindi.

Malindi Marine Park Beach. South of Malindi.

Silversand Beach. South of Malindi.

Town centre Malindi Town is mostly clogged with traffic, which makes shopping a bit stressful, while in Watamu it's much more relaxed.

Oasis Mall, Lamu Road. 9AM-10PM. Many stores and a large supermarket.
Equity Bank, Lamu Road. 24-hour ATM. Has a Mastercard ATM. no fee for overseas cards.
I & M Bank, Lamu Road, +254 719088022. 24-hour ATM. Has a no-fee Mastercard ATM.
Barclays Bank & Standard Chartared bank. Both banks' ATMs have a Ksh 399 fee for all overseas cards.
Al-Hashimiyah Spermarket, Mombasa- Malindi Road. 8AM-6PM.
7 To 7 Supermarket. Lamu road. 7AM-7PM. Wide variety or goods for sale. Sells cheese. Reasonable prices.

Oasis Mall, Lamu Road. 9AM-10PM. Many stores and a large supermarket.

Equity Bank, Lamu Road. 24-hour ATM. Has a Mastercard ATM. no fee for overseas cards.

I & M Bank, Lamu Road, +254 719088022. 24-hour ATM. Has a no-fee Mastercard ATM.

Barclays Bank & Standard Chartared bank. Both banks' ATMs have a Ksh 399 fee for all overseas cards.

Al-Hashimiyah Spermarket, Mombasa- Malindi Road. 8AM-6PM.

7 To 7 Supermarket. Lamu road. 7AM-7PM. Wide variety or goods for sale. Sells cheese. Reasonable prices.

I Love Pizza, Seafront Rd. 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.
La Rosada. Pizza, Italian, seafood.

I Love Pizza, Seafront Rd. 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.

La Rosada. Pizza, Italian, seafood.

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.

Papa Remo. Italian, seafood, Mediterranean.

Safina Beach Bar & Grill. African, seafood.

Crab Shack Dabaso Mida Restaurant. Seafood.

Club 28.
Pata Pata Beach Club. One of the most beautiful Malindi nightclub.Very large and live music
Uk Lounge.
Fermento Disco Bar. one of the best night clubs of Malindi

Club 28.

Pata Pata Beach Club. One of the most beautiful Malindi nightclub.Very large and live music

Uk Lounge.

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
Watamu Bay Disco & Lounge.
Club Pole Pole.

Come Back Club. Very nice place with African and European music managed by an Italian

Club Kalahari. One of the best clubs in Watamu

Watamu Bay Disco & Lounge.

Club Pole Pole.

Marafa - Hell's Kitchen Internet and telephone: are In most hotels there is Wifi, often however only at the front desk. If you want to be independent of the hotel network, or you need a faster network, there are three Kenyan network providers Safaricom, Airtel, Telkom. These offer Internet bundles and also SIM cards for mobile phones. Passport is required for registration. If you often have to call home or for business, a Kenyan sim card is very worthwhile too for the phone. The main Airtel store in Malindi is along Lamu Road. Airtel and Telekom have 10 GB of data good for 30 days for Ksh 1000.

Great Mosque of Gede alt=Endless Africa. Arabuko Sokoke Forest - panoramio.jpg

Watamu Marine National Park.: The park is part of a complex of marine and tidal habitats along the Kenya’s north coast with rich and diverse bird life, fish, turtles and dugongs. Visitors can enjoy the white sandy beaches, snorkeling, water skiing, windsurfing and glass-bottomed boat tours.
Bio-Ken Snake Farm.. If you are interested in snakes visit the Bio-Ken. It is a research centre, which deals with reptiles, especially snakes and snake-bite and houses the largest collection of Snakes in East Africa and is open to the public. This modest-looking place is one of the world's most renowned snake research centres. Passionate guides lead a very interesting tour. There are about 127 different snake species in Kenya. Of these only 18 have caused human fatalities and only another 6 could kill you. Another 10 could cause you a lot of pain and the remaining 93 or so, are non-venomous nor dangerous.
Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve. is a 420 km2 coastal forest near the Watamu Marine Park. It is the largest and most intact coastal forest in East Africa, with 20% of Kenya's bird species, 30% butterfly species and at least 24 rare and endemic bird, mammal and butterfly species. The dense vegetation in this forest type creates a tropical atmosphere as one walks or drives through, the real feel of being “in the woods”. The forest has a network of driving tracks and walking trails. Many sections of the forest are accessible by saloon cars but for best access to all tracks, a 4WD is recommended. Trained guides are available to help one explore the forest. The best times to visit are early morning or late afternoon as most wildlife will hide from the midday heat. The best time to watch birds is from dawn to around 9AM. Park is open from 6AM-6PM. The Mida Creek, a beautiful tidal inlet with mangrove trees is less than 1 km from the entrance to Arabuko-Sokoke Forest. The Creek is a major wintering site for migrant birds.
Gede Ruins. are one of the principal historical monuments on the Kenyan coast next to Watamu. Hidden away in the forest, the ruins are a vast complex of remains of a Swahili town. It traces its origin to the 12th century and was rebuilt with new town walls in the 15th and 16th centuries. The museum has numerous ruins, comprising mosques; a magnificent palace and houses all nestled within 45 acres of tropical forest that gives a special ambience to this outdoor museum. The Kipepeo Butterfly Project, in Gede, serves as an alternative source of income for forester. It helps farmers to earn their livelihood by breeding butterfly dummies that are exported to butterfly houses in Europe and America. If you like butterflies, you should not miss that.
Marafa Canyon.. Marafa is a settlement in Kilifi County. Best known for the Marafa Depression, a vast canyon-like area resulting from soil erosion. The road to Marafa is a typical, African packed-dirt road, not great, but certainly not terrible. Make sure that your driver has been there before as its not very well signposted and you may think you are lost. Also make sure the car is air conditioned.The drive does take about a hour from the main road. Once you arrive, you can walk around and into the canyon and out in about an hour, depending on your stamina. It isn't too strenuous, but there are a couple of areas that may be harder for some not nimble. Take water, although there are a couple of places through Marafa town that sells it. Hell's Kitchen is really a freak of nature that is constantly changing the landscape. It's called Hell's Kitchen because it's so hot in the daytime, so its recommend at early morning or late afternoon to see the sunset, which is spectacular because the place literally transforms. Entrance fees are Ksh 300 per person.
Mtwapa: A town 20 km north of Mombasa, where many European life and a centre of night life
Mombasa: A must-see location and most important town on the coast
Lamu: It has retained its historic character as the oldest continually inhabited town in the country and one of the most important Swahili settlements.

Watamu Marine National Park.: The park is part of a complex of marine and tidal habitats along the Kenya’s north coast with rich and diverse bird life, fish, turtles and dugongs. Visitors can enjoy the white sandy beaches, snorkeling, water skiing, windsurfing and glass-bottomed boat tours.

Bio-Ken Snake Farm.. If you are interested in snakes visit the Bio-Ken. It is a research centre, which deals with reptiles, especially snakes and snake-bite and houses the largest collection of Snakes in East Africa and is open to the public. This modest-looking place is one of the world's most renowned snake research centres. Passionate guides lead a very interesting tour. There are about 127 different snake species in Kenya. Of these only 18 have caused human fatalities and only another 6 could kill you. Another 10 could cause you a lot of pain and the remaining 93 or so, are non-venomous nor dangerous.

Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve. is a 420 km2 coastal forest near the Watamu Marine Park. It is the largest and most intact coastal forest in East Africa, with 20% of Kenya's bird species, 30% butterfly species and at least 24 rare and endemic bird, mammal and butterfly species. The dense vegetation in this forest type creates a tropical atmosphere as one walks or drives through, the real feel of being “in the woods”. The forest has a network of driving tracks and walking trails. Many sections of the forest are accessible by saloon cars but for best access to all tracks, a 4WD is recommended. Trained guides are available to help one explore the forest. The best times to visit are early morning or late afternoon as most wildlife will hide from the midday heat. The best time to watch birds is from dawn to around 9AM. Park is open from 6AM-6PM. The Mida Creek, a beautiful tidal inlet with mangrove trees is less than 1 km from the entrance to Arabuko-Sokoke Forest. The Creek is a major wintering site for migrant birds.

Gede Ruins. are one of the principal historical monuments on the Kenyan coast next to Watamu. Hidden away in the forest, the ruins are a vast complex of remains of a Swahili town. It traces its origin to the 12th century and was rebuilt with new town walls in the 15th and 16th centuries. The museum has numerous ruins, comprising mosques; a magnificent palace and houses all nestled within 45 acres of tropical forest that gives a special ambience to this outdoor museum. The Kipepeo Butterfly Project, in Gede, serves as an alternative source of income for forester. It helps farmers to earn their livelihood by breeding butterfly dummies that are exported to butterfly houses in Europe and America. If you like butterflies, you should not miss that.

Marafa Canyon.. Marafa is a settlement in Kilifi County. Best known for the Marafa Depression, a vast canyon-like area resulting from soil erosion. The road to Marafa is a typical, African packed-dirt road, not great, but certainly not terrible. Make sure that your driver has been there before as its not very well signposted and you may think you are lost. Also make sure the car is air conditioned.The drive does take about a hour from the main road. Once you arrive, you can walk around and into the canyon and out in about an hour, depending on your stamina. It isn't too strenuous, but there are a couple of areas that may be harder for some not nimble. Take water, although there are a couple of places through Marafa town that sells it. Hell's Kitchen is really a freak of nature that is constantly changing the landscape. It's called Hell's Kitchen because it's so hot in the daytime, so its recommend at early morning or late afternoon to see the sunset, which is spectacular because the place literally transforms. Entrance fees are Ksh 300 per person.

[[Mtwapa]]: A town 20 km north of Mombasa, where many European life and a centre of night life

[[Mombasa]]: A must-see location and most important town on the coast

[[Lamu]]: It has retained its historic character as the oldest continually inhabited town in the country and one of the most important Swahili settlements.