Relax by the ocean in Watamu and Malindi

After an action-packed safari in Kenya, reward yourself with some serious rest and relaxation in Watamu and Malindi. Lapped by the warm, welcoming waters of the Indian Ocean, these coastal hubs are Kenya’s finest. Picture white sands shaded by coconut trees and water so clear you can see swarms of tropical fish swirling around your toes. It’s like a Bounty advert come to life, except here, your postcard-perfect view is likely to feature a camel plodding along the sand.

You’d be perfectly entitled to spend your days in this beach paradise simply sunbathing, swimming and relaxing in an ocean-front resort. However, if you do want to get out and explore, there’s plenty to discover. Start out at sea, with a diving or snorkelling trip in the protected waters of the Watamu and Malindi Marine National Parks, a UNESCO-listed biosphere where you’ll encounter all kinds of sealife. On boat trips, look out for the marine Big Five: dolphins, sharks, sea turtles, bill fish and whales. Between June and early September, it’s possible to spot migrating humpbacks.

For a dose of history, wander the nearby Gedi ruins, the remnants of an ancient Swahili town built in the 13^th century. Now entangled with the forest, you can explore its ghostly remains, which are a protected UNESCO site. At sunset, head to Mida Creek, a mass of mud flats and water-logged mangroves where you can watch the sunset as traditional dhow sailboats glide across the water. Evenings in Malindi are made for wandering the old town, stopping for a bowl of pasta or scoop of gelato – home to a large population of Italian expats, there’s a surprising European twist to this Kenyan beachside haunt.