Watamu may seem at first glance to be one of the many villages on the African coast, consisting simply of a small cluster of hotels, a strip of private houses on the beach, a cluttered and poor village shaded by coconut trees and the beach.
There are good reasons to come here, however, including the magnificent marine park and excursions into the Indian Ocean's nooks and crannies, some interesting initiatives by local communities and residents to protect not only marine animal species, and youthful nightlife. Not to mention the fantastic beaches.
Watamu is a paradise created especially for tourists but, despite the high level of services and the variety of proposals, the atmosphere is decidedly simpler than in Diani, Malindi or along the north coast of Mombasa. Since most of the bays and shorelines are within the marine park, KWS regulations tend to be more strictly enforced to limit the influx of casual traders and those who do not protect the environment.
It is an exceptional coastline, with several breathtaking bays - Jacaranda Bay, Seven Island Bay, Watamu Bay, the Blue Lagoon and Turtle Bay - separated by raised coral reefs and dotted with tiny sculptured coral islets. Watamu is a good place to dive - and a good place to qualify, with several diving schools. In Watamu Marine National Park, when visibility is good, the submerged cliffs of the living coral gardens and their swirls of brilliant fish are still magically vivid, although, as elsewhere, they suffer damage from contact and the constant rise in sea temperature.
All around, African life teems, with villages and rural communities in their daily routine, colourful markets and smiles, so that you never forget that you are immersed in one of the most integral realities of the continent.
Watamu is really worth a holiday, if you take a non-superficial look!