A dhow with a white sail on the calm water of the Kenyan coast, with another dhow behind

Tours & tickets

Tours, boat trips and day trips in Kilifi County

Snorkel the coral gardens of Watamu, sail Mida Creek at sunset, walk through the Gede Ruins and the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, watch the sun set over Marafa or head inland on safari to Tsavo East. Every tour here is bookable online through Viator.

On the water

The coral reefs of Watamu and Malindi are protected as marine national parks, and the calm lagoons inside the reef are ideal for snorkelling and glass-bottom boats. Behind Watamu, the mangroves of Mida Creek are best seen from a dhow at sunset.

A small mangrove-covered islet in the clear green water of Watamu Marine National Park

Boat trip Year-round; calmest from December to March

Watamu Marine Park snorkelling trip

2–3 hours
Watamu

Snorkel the coral gardens among parrotfish and angelfish
Glass-bottom boat views for non-swimmers

Check availability

The bow of a boat heading out over the blue sea in Malindi Marine National Park

Boat trip Year-round; calmest from December to March

Malindi Marine Park glass-bottom boat

2–3 hours
Malindi

Coral, reef fish and sea urchins through the glass
Time to snorkel in the lagoon

Check availability

A dhow with a large triangular sail on the water off the Kenyan coast

Boat trip Year-round, depending on the tide

Mida Creek sunset dhow cruise

2–3 hours
Watamu

Sail through the mangroves as the sun goes down
Wading birds on the sandbanks at low tide

Check availability

Calm blue water of the Indian Ocean under a cloudy morning sky off Vipingo

Fishing trip Best from about November to March

Deep-sea fishing from Watamu or Malindi

Half a day or a full day
Watamu or Malindi

Sailfish, marlin, tuna and dorado in the deep water off the reef
Tag-and-release fishing on many boats

Check availability

Ruins, forest and canyon

Inland from the beaches, the county hides a ruined Swahili town in the forest at Gede, the largest coastal forest left in East Africa at Arabuko-Sokoke, and the red sandstone canyon of Marafa. Malindi’s old town tells the story of the Portuguese on this coast.

A ruined coral-stone house with arched niches at the Gede Ruins, among tall trees

Day tour Year-round

Gede Ruins and Arabuko-Sokoke Forest tour

Half a day
Watamu or Malindi

Walk the streets, palace and mosques of a lost Swahili town
A drive or walk in the forest with a guide

Check availability

A pair of Sokoke scops owls perched on a branch in the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest

Guided walk Year-round; best early in the morning

Arabuko-Sokoke Forest birdwatching walk

3–4 hours
Gede, near Watamu

Look for rare birds such as the Sokoke scops owl and Clarke’s weaver
Elephant shrews, butterflies and forest trails

Check availability

Sunset over the eroded red gullies of the Marafa canyon

Day trip Year-round; dry seasons are best

Marafa Hell’s Kitchen sunset tour

Half a day
Malindi or Watamu

A walk through red, pink and cream sandstone gullies
Sunset over the canyon with a local guide

Check availability

A yellow tuk-tuk on a street in a coastal Kenyan town

City tour Year-round

Malindi town and Vasco da Gama Pillar tour

2–4 hours
Malindi

The Vasco da Gama Pillar and the Portuguese Chapel
The old town, the market and the seafront

Check availability

Safaris and further afield

Tsavo East, one of Kenya’s largest national parks, is a long day’s drive inland from Malindi and Watamu. To the south, Mombasa’s old town, the dolphins of Wasini and the forests of the Shimba Hills make longer trips.

A leopard sitting on a rock among dry grass in Tsavo East National Park

Safari Year-round; best in the dry seasons

Tsavo East safari from Malindi or Watamu

A full day to 3 days
Malindi, Watamu or Kilifi

Red elephants, lions, giraffes and buffalo on the plains
Day trips or overnight stays in safari lodges

Check availability

The thick coral-stone walls and walkway inside Fort Jesus in Mombasa

City tour Year-round

Mombasa Old Town and Fort Jesus tour

Half a day
Mombasa or the north coast

Fort Jesus, a 16th-century Portuguese fort and UNESCO site
The narrow lanes, carved doors and spice shops of the old town

Check availability

Coral rock cliffs and bush above deep blue water at Wasini Island

Boat trip Year-round; calmest from December to March

Wasini Island and Kisite dolphin trip

A full day
Diani or Mombasa

Look for dolphins on a dhow trip to Kisite Marine Park
Snorkelling and a seafood lunch on Wasini Island

Check availability

Forested hills rolling away from a viewpoint in the Shimba Hills

Safari Year-round

Shimba Hills National Reserve day trip

A full day
Mombasa or Diani

Sable antelope and elephants in coastal forest and grassland
A walk to Sheldrick Falls

Check availability

Booking tours on the Kilifi coast: what to know

Most tours on this coast start from Watamu or Malindi, and many hotels arrange pick-ups. Boat trips depend on the tide and the weather, so times change from day to day and trips may be moved if the sea is rough.

On the water

Snorkelling trips and glass-bottom boats visit the marine parks of Watamu and Malindi, and dhows sail Mida Creek at sunset. Read our guide to snorkelling in the marine parks.

On land

The Gede Ruins and the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest fit into a morning, and Marafa is best in the late afternoon. Safaris to Tsavo East start very early.

Park fees

Kenya Wildlife Service charges fees for the marine parks and Tsavo East, paid electronically. Check whether they are included in the tour price.

Cancellation terms

Many tours on Viator offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time, and some let you reserve now and pay later. Terms vary by tour, so read them before you book.

Good to know

Tours FAQ

When is the best time to snorkel?

Around low tide, when the water inside the reef is calm and clear, and in the calmer months from about December to March. Boat operators plan trips around the tide table.

Are marine park fees included in boat trips?

Some trips include Kenya Wildlife Service marine park fees, and some do not. Check what is included on the booking page before you book.

Can I see dolphins and whales?

Dolphins are seen on some boat trips off Watamu and Malindi, and humpback whales pass offshore from about July to October. Sightings are never guaranteed.

Can I visit Tsavo East from the coast?

Yes. Tsavo East is a long drive inland from Malindi or Watamu, so day trips start very early. An overnight stay gives you more time with the animals.

Can I cancel a tour if my plans change?

Many tours on Viator offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Terms vary by tour, so check them on the booking page.

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