| Watamu is a small fishing village south of Malindi town on
Kenya's North coast. It has about 20 kms of beaches, of which 6 are in the Watamu
Marine National Park. Here are some frequently asked questions about Watamu for
you!
- WHAT IS WATAMU LIKE?
- WHAT IS THE POINT OF GOING THERE?
- ARE THERE MEDICAL FACILITIES IN WATAMU?
- IS WATAMU SAFE?
- MUST I PAY TO WALK ON THE MARINE PARK BEACH?
- HOW DO I GET THERE?
- WARNINGS AND ADVISORIES
 What
is Watamu like?
Watamu is a quiet beach resort with some lovely, deserted (or near-deserted)
white sandy beaches. Snorkelling is one of the major attractions for anyone wishing
to witness the amazing diversity and colourful underwater life. It is also a centre
for birdwatching, with Mida Creek and the Arabuko Sokoke Forest on the doorstep.
What is the point of going there?
To avoid the hyped commercialism of other beaches in Kenya, such as Diani
Beach, Nyali Beach and Malindi. To get away from it all on one of the last unspoiled
stretches of Kenyan beach resort. To spend hours snorkelling, walking on the beach
and just lazing away the holidays. It really is beautiful!
Are there any medical facilities in Watamu?
There are a couple of doctors who can deal with minor emergencies and
common ailments. Most of the hotels have access to the Watamu Ambulance Service
which is ready to whisk you to Mombasa Hospital, the best health facility on the
coast, should the need arise.
Is Watamu safe?
Although never guaranteed, Watamu is about as safe as they come, and
although not really recommended, walking about at night shouldn't present any
danger to groups of 2, 3 or more. I would beware of wandering around at night
alone, though. Other than that, there have only been 2 incidents that I know of
on Watamu's southern beach in the past 5 years. Normal sensible precautions always
apply when travelling in a developing country.
Must I pay to walk on the Marine Park beach?
No. You can even swim as much as you like, but as soon as you don a mask
and/or snorkel in the water you'll be liable for KWS marine park fees.
How do I get there?
See Here
Warnings and Advisories
All the usual applies: Don't flaunt your 500 dollar watch/camera/ear-rings
etc, dress appropriately, especially in the main village which is predominantly
Islamic, be friendly but cautious and enjoy people's friendliness. Try to check
prices from your hotelier for various goods and other items you might purchase
in the shops, or at the curio dealers so you do not get badly ripped off. |
