Watamu family holiday: a 5-day plan with kids
Updated November 2026 · places and prices are live from WatamuPulse
Watamu is one of the best family beach towns in Kenya: the lagoons are calm at low tide, children can see sea turtles at the Local Ocean Conservation rescue centre, and a glass-bottom boat shows them the reef without diving. Five days lets you mix beach mornings with one short trip a day.
Day 1: Arrival and the beach
🌅 Morning
Arrive and settle in
Check in, drop your bags and have a first walk to the beach.
☀️ Afternoon
Watamu Beach & Turtle Bay
White sand and calm lagoons. At low tide you can walk out to the sandbanks.
🌙 Evening
Sunset at Mida Creek
Mangroves, a boardwalk and famous birdlife. Sunset dhow trips and kayaking; best around low tide.
Day 2: Watamu Marine National Park
🌅 Morning
Watamu Marine National Park
Coral gardens, turtles and tropical fish. Snorkel from a glass-bottom boat or dive; best around low tide.
Book this with a local business:
☀️ Afternoon
Local Ocean Conservation
The sea turtle rescue centre in Watamu that protects nesting beaches and releases rescued turtles.
View & book on WatamuPulse🌙 Evening
Day 3: Arabuko-Sokoke Forest
🌅 Morning
Arabuko-Sokoke Forest
The largest coastal forest left in East Africa: rare birds, butterflies and elephants. Guided walks start near Gede.
Book this with a local business:
☀️ Afternoon
Garoda Beach
A wide, quiet stretch of sand south of the town, good for a long walk and a swim.
🌙 Evening
Serenos Dailydose
Delivers now · Book a table · Junction to Aquarius hotel opposite villa tuffa
Book a table on WatamuPulseDay 4: Safari day trip to Tsavo East
🌅 Morning
Safari day trip to Tsavo East
A full-day safari from the coast to Tsavo East National Park to see elephants, lions and more. Leave early.
Book this with a local business:
🌙 Evening
Day 5: Gede Ruins
🌅 Morning
Gede Ruins
The remains of a Swahili town in the forest, lived in from about the 12th to the 17th century.
☀️ Afternoon
Day trip to Malindi
About 20 km north: the old town, the Vasco da Gama Pillar and the seafront.
Book this with a local business:
🌙 Evening
Serenos Dailydose
Delivers now · Book a table · Junction to Aquarius hotel opposite villa tuffa
Book a table on WatamuPulseWhere to stay
Accogliente monolocale in posizione centrale a Watamu
1 bedroom · up to 2 guests · Peponi road Watamu
KSh 8,000 / night
Book now on WatamuPulse
butahgardens: Deluxe Room
1 bedroom · up to 2 guests · Gede Watamu Road, Watamu
KSh 7,000 / night
Book now on WatamuPulse
butahgardens: standard room
1 bedroom · up to 2 guests · Gede Watamu Road, Watamu
KSh 6,000 / night
Book now on WatamuPulseDifferent days, group or budget?
Customise this plan, freeQuestions people ask
Is Watamu good for families?
Yes. The beaches have calm lagoons at low tide, and there are easy half-day trips for children: turtles, a glass-bottom boat over the reef, the Mida Creek boardwalk and the Gede Ruins.
Is the sea safe for children in Watamu?
The lagoons are calm at low tide, but the tide changes the beach a lot. Always watch children in the water and ask locally about the tide times.
Where should a family stay in Watamu?
Choose a house or apartment with more than one bedroom, ideally with a pool and close to the beach. The places below can be booked and paid for with M-Pesa on WatamuPulse.
