Here is a list of the best places to visit in Malindi. Malindi is a town with a touch of gold. It is located in Kilifi County, 120 km from Mombasa County, on the eastern shores of the Indian Ocean. The coastline and white sandy beaches of this area are dotted with fancy hotels and resorts, with two National Parks located nearby (Malindi and Watamu). These are home to multiple coral reefs, loads of different colourful fish, and many turtles. The closest international airport is in Mombasa, approximately an hour’s drive away.
The coral reefs of Malindi are a short sail away from the shore, which makes it a popular destination for snorkelling and scuba diving. Here are the top things to see and do in this popular beach destination.
Top Tourist Attractions In Malindi
1. Sand Dunes in Mambrui
They are located about 30 minutes north of Malindi. The best time to go is around 4 pm or 5 pm. You can either drive or walk along the coastline. The ocean breeze makes the walk to the dunes very refreshing. If you can, wait for the sunset. The beach operators may offer to show you around. The price is entirely determined by your ability to bargain.
2. The Falconry of Kenya
The Falconry of Kenya is a private zoo that offers visitors a chance to get close to a large collection of birds of prey and other animals. Discover creatures in their enclosures, including a 200-year-old tortoise, eagles, falcons, goshawks, owls, and peckers. The more adventurous visitor can take the chance to hold, pet, and even feed the birds. The Falconry of Kenya also has a snake enclosure that houses pythons, green mambas, and cobras. In addition, the site has crocodiles, monkeys, and monitor lizards.
3. Gedi ruins
This is one of the most visited places in Kenya and one of the country’s greatest mysteries. The Gedi Ruins are located deep inside the lush green forests of Arabuko-Sokoke and near the Indian Ocean basin. The Gedi ruins remain a mystery to archaeologists. Proving that ancient African society was intricate and advanced, the Gedi ruins have all the markings of an ancient cosmopolitan settlement. Thought to have been founded in the early 13th century, it was a city complete with streets, running water, and a sewage system. Archaeologists have also found Ming Chinese vases at the site, along with Venetian glass and other artefacts worldwide. Coral-brick houses, a palace, and even an impressive mosque remain as clear evidence that the Muslim inhabitants of the coastal Kenyan town were worldly merchant traders who developed an incredible society; all of which have now been left in a ruinous state by time and climate. The Gedi ruins is a site of great archaeological interest and is a perfect destination to visit for the explorers in Malindi.
4. Kipepeo Market
Kipepeo is a market area in Malindi, which markets butterflies, moth pupae, and other insects, as well as honey and silk clothing prepared by the local community in Malindi. The insects and butterflies hatched here, are exported to many national parks in the country and worldwide. The market sells nature-based, organic products derived from the Arabuko Sokoke forests and the Kipepeo Butterfly Project ensures that the insects are butterflies that are bred, hatched, and sustainably raised on their farms. You can visit the place to learn more about the project and also purchase some organic items and goodies.
5. Bio Ken Snake Park
The Bio-Ken Snake Park is primarily a research centre that studies reptiles; with a key focus on snakes and snake bites. The park houses the most extensive known collection of snakes in East Africa. Located just a 35-minute drive outside Malindi, this is a trip worth making for those in the mood for an adventure.
5. Malindi Museum
Malindi Museum is a great place to learn about the culture and history of the town. The museum has a variety of exhibits, including traditional musical instruments, artwork, and clothing. You can also see how traditional methods of fishing and agriculture have changed over time. Best of all, the museum offers a glimpse into the daily lives of the people of Malindi. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and they are always happy to answer any questions. The museum is a great place to spend an afternoon, and it’s one of the most fun things to do in Malindi.
6. Vasco Da Gama Pillar
This is a very interesting tourist attraction in Malindi. A lot of people visit Vasco da Gama’s Pillar, and it is quite famous among tourists not only because of the tower erected but also because of what it symbolises. This Tower was built by the Portuguese 600 years ago. It has seen better days, as you can see. It was built by a Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama; as a sign of appreciation to the Sultan of Malindi for all the provisions he had provided for him and his entourage when he visited the region.
The location that its situated was just at the front door of the Sultan’s palace. This just gives you the amazing opportunity to relive the moment again and be at the centre of power in the whole coastal region since the administration of the Sultan was felt throughout the whole coast region of Kenya.
7. Watamu Beach
One of the best things to do is to visit Watamu Beach. The beach is well-known for its beautiful white sand and clear turquoise waters. You can enjoy plenty of activities such as swimming, sunbathing, windsurfing, and kayaking. There are also several restaurants and bars located on the beach, making it the perfect place to relax and take in the stunning views. Whether you’re looking for a day of fun in the sun or a romantic sunset dinner, Watamu Beach is the perfect place to be.
8. Portuguese Church
This thatched-roofed church gets its name because Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama is said to have built it in the 15th century, and two of his crew are supposedly buried here. People from across the world visit the church when they’re in Malindi. Even St Francis Xavier visited it on his way to India. Go to the Vasco da Gama pillar first to get the key from the caretaker. Once you’re inside, you’ll be blown away by the stunning architecture and intricate details.
9. Arabuko Sokoke National Park
Arabuko Sokoke National Park is located on the Kenyan coast. The national park is home to many different species of birds, butterflies, endemic birds, and many reptiles and mammals. The Arabuko Sokoke National Park is the largest dry coastal forest in the East African region and is very popular among people for bird and butterfly watching. Kenya Wildlife Services manages the park, while the forest is under the management of Kenya Forest Service.
10. Malindi Marine National Park
Malindi Marine National Park is located right next to Malindi Beach and is filled with many exquisite marine resources. In the National Park, you can witness some prolific marine life, including crabs, sea urchins, sea stars jellyfish, sea cucumbers, etc. It also includes many fringing reefs, coral gardens inside the lagoons, as well as mangroves, seagrass beds, and mudflats. Marine mammals like turtles and shorebirds also dwell in this park. If you are looking for fun things to do in Malindi, you can also go for adventure activities like snorkelling and glass-bottom boat rides here in the park. There are also opportunities for camping on Malindi Beach, adjacent to the park
11. Takwa Ruins
These ruins are the remains of the 15th–16th-century Swahili town, which also used to be a trading centre until it was deserted in the 17th century. The remains are relatively well preserved and serve as a site of great archaeological importance. Among other notable features of the ruin, the Friday Mosque church is quite prominent; you will see the large pillar of the church remains atop a qibla wall. The locals believe that the pillars are a symbol of the burial of the Sheikh under the walls.
12. Marafa – Hell’s Kitchen
The Marafa Depression is locally referred to as Nyari, ‘the place broken by itself. Temperatures can get to scorching levels during the day, hence the alias ‘Hell’s Kitchen’. The naturally shaped stone columns and shifting colours of this unusual sandstone mini-canyon were once the location for many ancient sacred rituals. Local legend has it that there was once a town located in the depression. Now, worn away by wind, rain, and floods, the sandstone shows layer-cake-like colours of white, orange, deep crimson, and pink. A visit to the gorge is particularly memorable at sunset when the hues are highlighted against the ribbed gullies of the sandstone.
13. Watamu National Marine Park
Watamu National Marine Park is Kenya’s first aqua park. Featuring over 600 species of colourful fish and other sea creatures in addition to coral reefs and gardens, the marine park delivers an aquatic explosion of colour for the snorkelling enthusiast. Your experience can extend above the water too; over 100 species of birds can be spotted along the shore in addition to turtles and dugongs. You also have the option of sunbathing on the untouched sandy beaches, going water skiing, or windsurfing.
14. Mida Creek
The Mida Creek is an impressive 32-kilometre inlet with wide beds of seagrass and coral. It hosts an expansive range of fish species and feeds sea turtles, and in the mangroves, smaller streams and inlets provide a refuge for crabs and birdlife. Mida is best explored by boat, as you may even chance upon feeding flamingos. The creek is also an incredible kayaking destination due to the endless small channels and passages through the mangroves. The central, broad water is also ideal for water skiing and wakeboarding. Along the shore, the Mida Creek Conservation Community runs a local crab farm and crab shack restaurant serving very popular dishes, including their famed crab samosas, which can be enjoyed on the boardwalk and deck built over the mangroves with views across the creek. This is the perfect place for sun-downers
15. Mayungu Public Beach
Mayungu Public Beach is a beautiful beach and one of the most scenic stretches of the Kenyan coastline, characterised by crystal clear waters with a cluster of huts and sun beds scattered along the beach. Mayungu Public Beach is located 8 kilometres south of Malindi Coastal Town and is a perfect site to relax and unwind while watching low tides. At the beach, you can take a hike up to the banks of sand, have a nice bath in the water, and walk along the picturesque stretch of the crystalline white sands.
