Watamu Beach
Watamu Beach
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
The coastal village of Watamu is known for its wonderful white sand beach. The region is protected as part of the Watamu National Marine Park.
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Best nearby
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48 within 3 miles
Attractions
15 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
876 reviews
Excellent
553
Very good
209
Average
68
Poor
28
Terrible
18
Eve D
6 contributions
Oct 2022 • Friends
We arrived at Watamu beach with plans to go for a walk, we were met with some locals who wanted to show us the beach. We said no thanks many times but ended up getting this tour purely as we were followed. It ended up being interesting and we didn't mind tipping the local tour guides for this as we saw lots of marine life. At the end they told us we owed the 'rangers' 1,000 Kenyan shillings each for touching the marine life, shells etc. We didn't touch the marine life, the tour guides picked it up and kept trying to put them in our hands. I much prefer them being left in the water and us viewing them. Anyway we had the pay another 2,000 for the rangers on top of what we already tipped. I suggested that the ranger put up a sign outlining this cost as it is not stated anywhere.
Written October 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Timothy K
2 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
The beach itself is quite nice, but the beach boys and their insistence on making you buy something from them truly made this place unbearable.
It seems as if the county government and the surrounding hotels and resorts don't care all that much about this issue too. How difficult would it really be to help them set-up simple storefronts on the beach? With training and limited financial assistance provided?
I was also told that the local businesses posted up by the beach aren't taking care of the locals properly (not organizing consistent and proper beach cleaning shifts, paying them in food and drink instead of money for completed work), so that doesn't help either.
C'mon Watamu, sort it out, it doesn't have to be that hard.
It seems as if the county government and the surrounding hotels and resorts don't care all that much about this issue too. How difficult would it really be to help them set-up simple storefronts on the beach? With training and limited financial assistance provided?
I was also told that the local businesses posted up by the beach aren't taking care of the locals properly (not organizing consistent and proper beach cleaning shifts, paying them in food and drink instead of money for completed work), so that doesn't help either.
C'mon Watamu, sort it out, it doesn't have to be that hard.
Written May 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tomasz L
5 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
The Beach and seaview is astonishing. You may also enjoy the Snakefarm - people there are doing great job yo extract antivenom! The Gede ruins are also nice. Those are the only positive things.
We have been in Watamu in the low-season. We felt like we are the only tourists around (just a few more people gather atound in the evening in bars). The local beach boys don't let you enjoy the view and the beach, always walking around you like mosquitos. You can not relax for a moment. Everyone treats you like an ATM. Thet follow you even back to the hotel. We felt like almost inprisoned. A lot of restaurants are closed off season. Those that look nice are extremly expensive.
That was supposed to be the best holiday of my life but was ruined by the beach boys.
We have been in Watamu in the low-season. We felt like we are the only tourists around (just a few more people gather atound in the evening in bars). The local beach boys don't let you enjoy the view and the beach, always walking around you like mosquitos. You can not relax for a moment. Everyone treats you like an ATM. Thet follow you even back to the hotel. We felt like almost inprisoned. A lot of restaurants are closed off season. Those that look nice are extremly expensive.
That was supposed to be the best holiday of my life but was ruined by the beach boys.
Written June 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Speedking80
Morano Calabro, Italy21 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
We stay in a resort directly on the beach. The beach was wonderful (in terms of white san and clear water) and free, but dirty (plastics and rubbish). There was a lot of seaweed in the water and on the beach, but this is nature.
Beach boys: they are very big problem. They are super annoying and nagging. We try to get rid of the guys in every manner: paying, discussing, laughing, praying... Basically we were forced to avoid the beach and stay in the resort. I understand this problem is plaguing all the Africa east cost. I regret to say I will avoid the Africa east cost for the next trip.
Beach boys: they are very big problem. They are super annoying and nagging. We try to get rid of the guys in every manner: paying, discussing, laughing, praying... Basically we were forced to avoid the beach and stay in the resort. I understand this problem is plaguing all the Africa east cost. I regret to say I will avoid the Africa east cost for the next trip.
Written July 31, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EvaF2Eva
Lorrach, Germany5,157 contributions
Dec 2023 • Friends
I spent just one evening on the Watamu beach and it will forever remain in my mind as a place of two faces. At one side it is an overcrowded place with spoiled misbehaving tourists. At the other hand it is breathtakingly beautiful piece of nature where I experienced one of the most exciting happening of my stay in Kenya when we observed fishermen coming home with their haul. So much joy and excitement! There is no way you don´t get excited too.
Written April 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Larry4Africa
Kitale, Kenya125 contributions
Nov 2022
Living up the coast 15 miles, I can assure you Watamu has the best beaches in Kenya. The sand is white with an almost flour-type consistency. The locals love to rill on the sand until they are white. The water is a nice turquoise color, There is a reef a km out with prevents the bigger waves from hitting the beach. Friendly locals,
Written December 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Priti Shah
70 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
Sundowner dhow safari. Stay at Hemmingways Watamu. Soft white sandy beach.. Food, Beverages Service, rooms facing the ocean is excellent. A great way to relax, visit the spa very reasonably priced massages. A place with 0 noise pollution from loud music.from the bar, Very polite & friendly staff. Catered for vegan, sugarfree, gluten free & vegetarian meals and sea food for my friends.
Written December 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cristiano B
1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Couples
I went to Watamu beach with my girlfriend and for all excursions I relied on Jamaica Tuor Operator (its telephone number is +254 111 260096) we did safari and blu safari. We had a great time and his prices are the lowest. JAMAICA IS THE BEST
Written July 30, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
r0bynS
Edinburgh14 contributions
We visited Watamu Beach hotel in November 2005, the resort is owned by African Safari Club. The hotel was lovely, the location is ideal and the village of Watamu is safe and friendly. The food at the hotel is not great, repetative but adequate for breakfast and lunch but dinner was not that good. We ate in the village almost every evening, the best resturant being 'The Ascot' although there is a great local cafe on the main road called 'rosters'.The hotel try to discourage you from using the locals to book your tours and safari's. We booked our Safari locally through 'Tunda Tours' in the village and our guide was called Lupo - we had an amazing Safari! The lodges we stayed in were lovely (Voi Safari Lodges) and the food there was first class - beware of the bugs though but that comes with the territory! All in the holiday was brilliant, but be warned about ASC they do seem to take advantage of the local community, they over charge the tourists (a bottle of sun tan lotion in the hotel was 28 Euros) and under pay their staff (average salary was 4 euros per day). If you need to buy anything at all such sun tan lotion or snacks etc then visit Mamma Lucy's store in the village - they sell everything! The hotel does not provide any snacks etc for sale in between the regimental assigned meal times, but you will find street vendors selling freshly made snacks such as samosas (10 each) in the village.
Also, be careful with your luggage weight as ASC include your hand luggage in your 23kg allowance, we ended up paying ÂŁ45 on our return between us as we were about 10kg over our allowance.
Also, be careful with your luggage weight as ASC include your hand luggage in your 23kg allowance, we ended up paying ÂŁ45 on our return between us as we were about 10kg over our allowance.
Written January 5, 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David V
17 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
Stayed in Watamu for a couple of weeks in during November.
I was so disappointed with Watamu's beaches. Yes, the setting is beautiful, the sand white and sea blue but oh dear, the plastic pollution is awful. I have never, ever seen so many discarded plastic bottles, plastic bags and general waste. I was truly shocked.
Watamu Beach and Barracuda Beach are the worse offenders but even Turtle Bay beach (which is a Maritime National Park) was bad.
There are no rubbish bins anywhere and certainly no effort by any authority to pick the non degradable rubbish up - despite businesses being charged a 'tourist tax' and tourists having to pay a charge to visit the Marine Park on a boat.
To see this level of pollution on some of the world's most beautiful beaches was really shocking and the fact that no one seems to care is even more so!
I was so disappointed with Watamu's beaches. Yes, the setting is beautiful, the sand white and sea blue but oh dear, the plastic pollution is awful. I have never, ever seen so many discarded plastic bottles, plastic bags and general waste. I was truly shocked.
Watamu Beach and Barracuda Beach are the worse offenders but even Turtle Bay beach (which is a Maritime National Park) was bad.
There are no rubbish bins anywhere and certainly no effort by any authority to pick the non degradable rubbish up - despite businesses being charged a 'tourist tax' and tourists having to pay a charge to visit the Marine Park on a boat.
To see this level of pollution on some of the world's most beautiful beaches was really shocking and the fact that no one seems to care is even more so!
Written November 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Buonasera, vorrei partire a febbraio per Watamu, ma ho due domande: livello di sicurezza generale e presenza di zanzare (per malaria). Grazie
Written January 3, 2024
Buongiorno, qualcuno ha la locandina con tutte le escursioni che propone il bravo watamu? Per il Safari conviene farlo con il villaggio o prenotarlo con esterni?
Written August 20, 2023
Buonasera, al villaggio Bravo watamu beach, nella formula all inclusive sono inclusi anche i cocktail locali o solo analcolici?
Written March 24, 2023
Mi dispiace io non posso aiutare perché siamo stati al ristorante non abbiamo alloggiato.
Written March 25, 2023
Salve faccio questo quesito un po a voi tutti che siete stati in Kenya per vacanza.... volevamo andare anche noi in Kenya ad Ottobre...... se avete un punto di contatto affidabile di una Vostra guida che vi ha guidati in safari o percorsi, quanto impegnativi sono questi percorsi o safari e se fa molto caldo ? il numero di cellulare di una vs guida da contattare, dove possiamo trovare informazioni sui safari che si fanno al villaggio, se c'è un profilo su Facebook e qualche altro consiglio che ci può essere utile..... cosa visitare e magari cosa realmente vale la pena fare ? cosa ci dobbiamo aspettare dentro e fuori al villaggio ? Safari si possono realmente fare e cosa si vede ? quanto costano ? Ti ringrazio - Cordiali saluti a voi tutti viaggiatori del Kenya :-)
Written March 13, 2023
Ciao a tutti...volendo andare a gennaio nella struttura di Watamu Beach volevo sapere se mi consigliate qualche escursione in particolare (ci starò circa 12 gg) e se nel caso posso chiedere ai boys o meglio in struttura. C'è animazione italiana o meno? Datemi qualsiasi consiglio per me è la prima volta in Africa...grazie
Written October 24, 2022
Qualcuno che partirà da milano il 5 febbraio 2020 e torna il 14, così da condividere taxi?
Qualcuno conosce derik frigorifero? É bravo?
Grazie a tutti...
Written December 1, 2019
Se cerchi simpatia sicurezza e serietĂ nel proprio lavoro cerca Filippo e Amaro se vuoi posso darti un contatto
Written February 2, 2020
bonjour, je vais partir à lhôtel jumbo à watamu fin février et début mars.
Je cherche un centre de plongée sérieux, sympa et un peu francophone aussi et tant qu'à faire pas trop loin de l'hôtel et aussi faire un minisafari une journée et demie par exemple
merci d'avance
Written February 19, 2019
Salve ho bisogno di aiuto! Devo partire per il Kenya il 6 settembre E devo fare scalo ad Addis Abeba. ho letto sul sito della Farnesina che ci vuole la certificazione della vaccinazione per la febbre gialla anche solo in caso di transito per Etiopia. Vi riporto quello che dice il sito
“ Vaccinazioni obbligatorie
Il certificato di vaccinazione contro la febbre gialla è obbligatorio per i viaggiatori provenienti dai Paesi a rischio di trasmissione della malattia. Esso e’ richiesto indistintamente anche ai viaggiatori in solo transito aeroportuale presso tali Paesi (es. transito all’aeroporto di Addis Abeba). In alcuni casi le Autorità aeroportuali hanno permesso la vaccinazione all’arrivo direttamente in aeroporto”
C’é qualcuno che è andato in questi giorni?????
Written August 19, 2018
Sono andato due volte in Kenya passando per adis Abeba nessuno chiede nulla ma io ho cmq fatto la vaccinazione febbre gialla... Una vale per sempre.... Meglio essere prudenti ché infettarsi...
Written February 15, 2020
Buonasera a tutti
Voi avete fatto vaccinazioni o profilassi?
Grazie mille
Written August 6, 2018
Ti do risposta per mera statistica, noi no, niente. Tra un mese (tempo di incubazione della malaria) potrò dire con maggior cognizione di causa se abbiamo fatto bene o meno!
Written August 7, 2018
Ciao il 2 agosto partirò per il Kenya (watamu) ci sono delle vaccinazioni da fare?
Written July 2, 2018
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