Malindi Attractions

Malindi is one of the oldest towns on the East African coast. Thought to have been founded in the 7th century, although there are stories of a settlement trading with the Indians back in the time of Christ. Since then Malindi has had ties with China (12th century), the Arabs (13th century), the Portuguese (15th century) and finally the British (19th century).

The Malindi area has many excursions and activities to keep even the most active entertained.

Listed below are the most popular:

• Snorkelling in the Marine Park - take a glass bottom boat out to the coral gardens and swim with an amazing array of reef fish, turtles, octopus, star fish, etc.

• Golf at Malindi Golf Course - Malindi has a 9 hole golf course, that can be a serious test of any golfer, especially in the dry season. Equipment available for hire.

• Spa's and Health Centres - there is a number of options in this increasingly popular field. Re-discover your inner self at the world class Lion in the Sun Health Spa. Offering a huge range of health and beauty treatments. The newly renovated Blue Marlin Sporting Resort gives day or weekly membership including  a fully equipped gym, swimming pool (25m), hard surface tennis court, table tennis, fitness studio and mini golf.

• Malindi Museum - open daily, this interesting excursion covers Malindi's history from Vasco da Gamma's Visit to the slave trade and a 400 million year old living fossil, the Coelacanth caught off Malindi.

•  Day out at Rossada - spend a day on the beach at Rossada, for a small daily fee that gives you the use of the beach bar, restaurant and sun bed on a clean and secure, private stretch of beach.

• Bird Watching in the Arabuko Sokoke Forest and Mida Creek - take a drive down to Watamu and visit the largest natural coastal forest left in East Africa; the Sokoke Forest or Mida Creek to experience some of the best bird watching in Kenya. The only place to see the Sokoke Scops Owl or maybe get a glimpse of the rare and elusive Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew. The K.W.S. (Kenya Wild Life Service) have frequent lectures at the Wildlife Centre, the Sokoke Forest is a National Park and has an entry fee.

• Gedi Ruins and Kipepeo Butterfly Project - while in Watamu visit the ancient ruins of Gedi, an ancient 13th century fortress used to house slaves before they were shipped on to Zanzibar. At Kipepeo you can see thousands of different butterflies whose pupa are sold overseas by the local community. Guides are available at the visitors centre.

• BioKen Snake Park - in Watamu. Set up by James Ashe a giant in the snake world.  The farm is a major world leader in the production of anti-venom to reduce snake bite deaths in the local community and for export. The Snake Park is run by his surviving wife Sande and Royjan Taylor. 

• Horse Riding at Sea View Resort - take a ride along the beaches north of Malindi.

• Malindi Restaurants - Try one of the following restaurants, I Love Pizza, Tangeri, Old Man & The Sea, Baby Marrow, Lorenzo’s, Casino Malindi or relax in the Karen Blixen coffee garden a Mediterranean style cafe for a morning cuppa chino.

• The Malindi Sea Fishing Club & Driftwood Beach Club - visit Malindi Sea Fishing Club in the afternoon and see the days catch come in to be weighed or spend the day at the Driftwood Beach Club, a bar & restaurant popular with the local Malindi Residents. Daily membership is available for these clubs.