HEMMINGWAYS - WATAMU MARINE NATIONAL PARK

Hemingways Watamu is an iconic hotel 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. It is also a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World with 39 beautifully appointed rooms offering fabulous views of the Indian Ocean.  Watamu is a small 7 km long peninsula that is a recognized UN biosphere with the Watamu Marine Park on one side, the Mida Creek Mangrove Reserve on the other and the Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve stretching along the edge of the Creek.

LOCATION

Hemingways Watamu sits just off Turtle Bay Road outside Watamu village which lies approximately 120 kms north of Mombasa and 25 kms south of Malindi.  The nearest airport is in Malindi which is 30 minutes by road whilst the nearest international airport is Moi International in Mombasa.

RESORT

Ocean View Double - Spacious and with easy access to the beach and the botanical pool, our ocean view rooms are found in the North Wing of the hotel on the ground and first floor. En-suite bathrooms and a beautiful balcony overlooking the Marine Park provide guests with the utmost comfort and luxury. The quiet grassy area in front of the rooms is a relaxing place to read and soak up the coastal sunshine.

Deluxe Ocean View Double - located on the top floor of our North Wing, our Deluxe Ocean View Rooms offer a whole new flavor of laidback luxury. Marble tiled en-suite bathrooms and private balconies with jaw dropping views of nothing but ocean and horizon offer the quintessential R&R experience. Add to that a flat screen TV and the magical Watamu breeze and you may not want to leave your room.

1 Bedroom Ocean View Apartment - these beautifully appointed apartments offer a large master bedroom with marble tiled en-suite bathroom adjoining a tastefully furnished living and dining area with a fully equipped modern kitchen. The large open terrace provides fantastic sea views and ample space to kick back and relax. These are perfect for couples seeking a little more space and privacy.

2 Bedroom Ocean View Apartment - offering a large master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and a second large twin bedroom with adjoining bathroom, these apartments are ideal for families. Both bedrooms have wonderful ocean views and direct access to the terrace. Featuring interior and exterior lounging and dining space and a fully equipped modern kitchen, the 2 bedroom apartments have ample room for socialising or retreating to a quiet spot.

2 Bedroom Deluxe Ocean View Apartment - are larger in size with lots of natural light and offering a large master bedroom with en-suite bathroom and a second large twin bedroom with adjoining bathroom, these apartments offer even more space. Both bedrooms have wonderful ocean views and direct access to the terrace and the common areas feature interior and exterior lounging and dining space and a fully equipped modern kitchen.

4 Bedroom Ocean View Penthouse Apartment - penthouse style duplex apartments featuring living and dining areas and exquisite furnished terraces on both floors offer the perfect set up for groups of friends or large families. Offering two large master bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and two large twin bedrooms with adjoining bathrooms, all bedrooms provide wondrous ocean views and direct access to the beautiful terrace. These apartments offer both interior and exterior lounging and dining space and a fully equipped modern kitchen.

ACTIVITIES

There are lots of activities to choose from – alternatively you can relax by the beach and do very little!  All activities can be booked and paid for locally:

Kitesurfing - sign up for one of the courses at Tribe Watersports - one of the best kite surf school in Kenya which is a stroll away down the beach. It welcomes beginners and experienced kite-boarders. 

Windsurfing - a fantastic sport to enjoy in Watamu as the area provides the right conditions with constant wind and flat water. 

Stand up paddle boarding - is one of the most up and coming sports for everyone and the most natural way above the water to view the marine life in our Park and Reserve.

Golf - the five star golf resort of Vipingo Ridge is a popular day trip just 40 minutes’ drive from Watamu.  The 72 par course is also an oasis for birds and butterflies. 

Scuba diving - diving takes place all year round although in the rainy season can be limited to inside the lagoon. The Watamu Marine Park is amazingly rich with over 500 species of fish inside the lagoon and over 1000 if you include the second and third reefs.  You can see lion fish, groupers, barracuda, damsels, moray eels, butterfly fish and parrot fish and more occasionally, whale shark and Manta rays. 

Snorkelling - exceptional snorkelling conditions in the Park allow you easy access to the spectacular undersea life.  The Marine Park is about 5 kms long from North to South and approximately 1 km from the shore to the fringing reefs. Snorkelling conditions are ideal at low tide and especially good at spring low tide. There are hundreds of beautiful coral reef fish and if lucky you may see a sea turtle, a guitarfish or large grouper.

Canoes and Creek Rides - get out on the water at sunset in a locally made bamboe canoe with a fisherman guide. 

Explore Gede Ruins - was one of the ancient Arab towns that dotted the East African Coast. It dates from the late 13th or early 14th Century and was finally abandoned in the early 17th Century. Excavated since 1927, many areas have been revealed, including the Great Mosque, the Palace, several residential houses and pillar tombs. 

HEMINGWAYS IS OPEN ALL YEAR ROUND

THE RESORT WELCOMES CHILDREN OF ALL AGES