Italian-influenced coast town, ruins of Gede, and Africa's oldest marine park
Malindi sits on the north Kenyan coast, 120km north of Mombasa. It has been a trading port since the Portuguese arrived in 1498 — Vasco da Gama's pillar still stands at the headland. From the 1960s the town has had a strong Italian connection (a former president had a residence here), giving it a distinct Italian-Swahili character: pasta and chapati, espresso and chai.
Watamu, 25km south of Malindi, is quieter — a small village along three arc-shaped bays of white sand. The Watamu Marine National Park is one of the oldest in Africa (gazetted 1968) and is the country's best snorkelling. Behind the beach, the Arabuti-Sokoke Forest is the largest fragment of coastal indigenous forest left in East Africa. Combined, Malindi-Watamu is the coast's quiet alternative to Diani — culture, marine park, ruins, fewer crowds.
Three protected reefs, abalone-clear water, 600 species of fish. Snorkelling is exceptional — sea turtles regularly seen, dolphins on offshore boat trips.
Abandoned 13th-century Swahili town in the Arabuti-Sokoke Forest. Ten hectares of coral-rag walls, mosques and palaces, slowly being reclaimed by baobabs. The mystery: why was it abandoned? Theories include Galla raids and Portuguese pressure.
Tidal mangrove inlet — boardwalk through the canopy, kayaking at high tide, birding at low tide. Sunset dhow cruise from Mida Creek is one of the coast's quiet highlights.
Authentic Italian restaurants throughout Malindi — fresh pasta, real espresso. The Old Man and the Sea (named for Hemingway, who fished here) is the Italian classic. Local Swahili-style seafood is equally good.
"Watamu's marine park is what Diani's would have been, if Diani had stayed quiet. The turtles are the proof." — From a marine biologist guide
A typical itinerary — but flexible. Tell us how you like to travel and we'll adjust pace, accommodation tier and activities to suit you.
Pickup from Mombasa airport / Diani (3 hours by road). Check in at Watamu hotel — the bays in front of Watamu are picture-postcard. Late afternoon at the beach. Sundowner. Dinner at the hotel.
8am: glass-bottom boat from Watamu Beach into the marine park. 90 minutes snorkelling at the reef, sea turtles likely. Optional dive trip for certified divers. Back by 12. Afternoon at Mida Creek — boardwalk through mangroves at high tide. Evening at Local Ocean Conservation (sea turtle rescue centre, open evening).
Morning visit to Gede Ruins (1 hour) and Arabuti-Sokoke Forest viewpoint. Drive to Malindi (30 min). Lunch at Old Man and the Sea or one of the Italian places. Afternoon: Vasco da Gama Pillar, Malindi Marine Park (different from Watamu, both are top-rated), Marafa Hell's Kitchen sandstone canyon at sunset. Back to Watamu hotel.
Morning at leisure — beach, last snorkel, lazy breakfast. Transfer to airport or onward to Diani / Mombasa. Watamu has its own small airstrip for connecting flights to Lamu or Maasai Mara.
We work with all of these properties directly. Pricing below is per person, twin-share, all-inclusive of meals and game drives where stated.
Established Watamu hotel, 76 rooms, three pools, on a quiet bay. Reliable mid-range, family-friendly, in-house deep-sea fishing operation (Watamu has world-record sailfish history).
All-suite property in Watamu, Moroccan-influenced architecture, pool with swim-up suites. Adults-focused. The most architecturally distinctive hotel in Watamu.
The villa side of Hemingways — exclusive-use four-bedroom beachfront house, butler, chef, infinity pool. Family-luxury option.
No deposit to enquire. We'll confirm availability, hold your dates for 48 hours, and send a tailored quote within one business day.
All prices below are in USD per person, twin-share, for the same 4 days / 3 nights package. Bigger groups pay less per head — same trip, same lodges, same vehicles, just shared between more people. Kenyan-resident rates available — ask us.
📌 What's included: Watamu Marine Park snorkelling, Gede Ruins, Mida Creek, optional Italian Malindi day.
Groups of 10+ or special requests? We arrange private vehicle convoys, exclusive-use lodges, weddings, incentive trips, school groups and family reunions. Send a WhatsApp message to +254 797 036 943 or email booking@almondsafaris.com for a custom quote within one business day.
Prices below are per person, per night, twin-share. Single travellers add roughly 30%. Children 2–11 years usually 50% of adult rate (varies per hotel — confirm at booking). All prices are flexible — we hold direct contracts with these hotels and pass through any current promotion.
76 rooms on Turtle Bay, three pools, family-friendly, in-house big-game fishing operation (Watamu has world-record sailfish history).
All-suite Moroccan architecture, swim-up suites with private plunge pools, adults-focused, the most distinctive hotel on this stretch.
Established Watamu beachfront, kitesurfing & diving school, lively bar — best value option.
Four-bedroom beachfront villa with butler, chef, infinity pool. Sleeps up to 8. Family-luxury option.
Italian-managed all-inclusive option in Malindi. Beachfront, pool, multiple restaurants, family-friendly.
12-suite boutique on Silversands Beach. Italian fine dining, spa, the most stylish address in Malindi.
B&B = bed & breakfast · Half-board = breakfast + dinner · Full-board = all meals included. Hotel rates above are accommodation only — they are part of the full safari/holiday packages quoted above and don't get added on top. We can also arrange these hotels as standalone bookings without a tour package — same direct-contract rates.