Malindi and Watamu Holidays

If you’re craving a dose of sun-drenched beach time, Kenya’s coastal treasures, Malindi and Watamu, await. Just imagine soft sea breezes, snow-white sands and sea so clear if feels like you could see your reflection in it. The pristine waters here are well protected by the Watamu and Malindi Marine National Parks, where 600 species of fish flit among corals and turtles swim ashore to bury their eggs in the sand. It’s a veritable paradise for divers, evidenced by the collection of local dive schools, but a mask and snorkel will also grant you access to this otherworldly sanctuary.

Back on land, explore the nearby crumbling Gedi Ruins, the ghostly memory of a once-grand Swahili town that dates back to the early 13th century. Its UNESCO-listed remains are slowly being reclaimed by primeval forest, tree roots tangling with stone walls and branches overhanging grand arches. Dinner is served European-style in Malindi, which is known as Little Italy due to its population of Italian expats who’ve made the town home. Malindi’s streets are filled with gelato shops and pizzerias where you can expect to be served plump olives and shots of Limoncello to start and end your sea-front feast.