Hemingway’s Watamu

Watamu, Kenya

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Stay at Hemingway’s Watamu

An iconic tropical paradise on the Kenyan coast sitting right in the middle of the pristine Watamu Marine National Park with its idyllic white sand beach and turquoise waters. The exceptional personal service and sincere charm of this established hotel has come to represent Kenyan coastal luxury to so many travellers for close to 30 years.

There is so much to do here – learn to kite-surf; get your PADI certificate, take a sunset dhow cruise on Mida Creek, play a round of golf on the nearby world class golf course, Vipingo Ridge; or go on safari for a few days in Tsavo or the Maasai Mara. If that all sounds a little too energetic, relax around the pool with a good book as you work your way through our cocktail menu.

The Swahili culture of the coast is an exotic mix of Omani, Portuguese and Bantu influences. Built on trade, the coastal town of Watamu was once an outpost for ivory, slaves, spices and shells. Local people are predominantly fishermen and farmers and the coast is rich in exotic fruit and sisal plantations. There is a languid pace to life here, quite different to the hectic rush of Nairobi. Middle Eastern influences are more apparent at the coast in the architecture and religion and both Malindi and Watamu have elements of an Italian feel with great pizzerias and delicious gelato available.

Watamu – meaning “home of the sweet people” in Swahili – is a small village on the Kenyan coast approximately 120kms north of Mombasa – Kenya’s second-largest city. It is also 20kms south of Malindi – Vasco de Gama’s first landing point on the coast of East Africa. Watamu’s shoreline features pristine white sand beaches and offshore coral formations arranged in different bays and sheltered by a reef. The area is protected as part of the Watamu Marine National Park and is considered one of the best snorkelling and diving areas on the coast of Africa. The Marine Park is renowned worldwide for its natural beauty and boasts a diverse marine life from the visiting whale sharks and manta rays to three species of sea turtle.

The low-lying coast of Kenya creates a tropical climate with wonderful sea breezes. It is at its hottest in March but cools off in July with temperatures ranging between 26C and 32C throughout the year. The monsoons bring two distinct seasons – when the warm air moves south in March, the longer rains follow in April and May. It moves north again in September bringing the shorter rains of October and November. The southeast wind, called Kusi, blows from mid March to November, cooling the waters. The northeast breeze, called Kaskazi, brings warmer, calm seas throughout the months of December, January and February.

Why we love it

The Marine Park is renowned worldwide for its natural beauty and boasts a diverse marine life from the visiting whale sharks and manta rays to three species of sea turtle.
There is so much to do here – learn to kite-surf; get your PADI certificate, take a sunset dhow cruise on Mida Creek, play a round of golf on the nearby world class golf course, Vipingo Ridge.
Hemingways Watamu is renowned for deep sea fishing and has also recently pioneered humpback whale watching excursions during the months of June – September

Facilities

Air-conditioned rooms

WIFI

Two large swimming pools

Massage centre & salon offering a variety of treatments

Poolside bar

Experiences

Spa

Treat yourself to a massage or spa treatment in the poolside pavilion inspired by African ingredients, where you can hide away for a few hours of bliss.

Deep Sea Fishing

Head out into the ocean just after sunrise when the waters are calm, to trawl for marlin, sailfish and broadbill swordfish.

Whale Watching

See the most majestic animals of the ocean as migrating humpback whales pass the Kenyan coast on their way from Antarctica.

Dolphin Watching

The protected waters around Watamu are a haven for dolphin mothers and calves, and can easily be viewed in the wild around Hemingways.

Kite Surfing

Pick up a board and let the wind pull you along the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, suitable for both beginners and experienced surfers.

Windsurfing

Explore Watamu from the sea as the winds pull you along the coast and allow you to see the beauty of the Kenyan coat from a new perspective.

Paddle Boarding

Interact and watch marine life from the sea as you paddle board out from the shore to watch turtles come to the surface to take a breath

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Tameem

I went on an adventure of a lifetime to Kenya, planned by True Travel. Borana was the perfect introduction to Africa – the staff were fantastic, the lodge very comfortable and I had amazing wildlife sightings. Then the helicopter flight and night out with Andrew (the real Crocodile Dundee) was an experience of a lifetime; we went scorpion hunting, crocodile catching, swimming in lakes and flew over flamingos. All in all, everything was fantastically planned and the service was brilliant. I’m looking forward to the next adventure!