Malindi, Kenya: travel guide
Old Swahili and Portuguese-era coast town with a marine park and waterfront
Historic Swahili and Portuguese-heritage coastal town on Kenya's north coast, with its own marine national park, old-town waterfront and the Vasco da Gama Pillar. Watamu, ~17 km south, is a separate catalog city.
About Malindi
Malindi is a small town on Kenya's north coast with a long history as a trading port on the Indian Ocean. The Vasco da Gama Pillar, a stone cross on a headland, marks the Portuguese navigator's stop here in the late fifteenth century, and the old-town waterfront still carries traces of Swahili and Portuguese influence.
The sea is the main draw. Malindi Marine National Park protects coral reefs close to shore, and glass-bottom boat trips and snorkelling are the usual way to see them. Beaches run along the coast on either side, and the town has a relaxed seaside feel, with seafood restaurants and an Italian influence in its cafes.
Malindi suits easy beach holidays and can be paired with nearby Watamu and the Gede ruins. December to March and June to October are generally the more comfortable times to go.
- Country
- Kenya
- Currency
- KES
- Time zone
- Africa/Nairobi
- Nearest airport
- MYD
Last updated
Top places to visit in Malindi
Vasco da Gama Pillar
monument · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A coral-and-limestone pillar topped by a cross, erected by the Portuguese explorer in 1498 — one of Africa's oldest European monuments.
Malindi Marine National Park
marine park · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
Kenya's oldest marine park, protecting fringing and patch reefs — glass-bottom boats and snorkelling over coral.
Things to do
- Malindi Marine Park Glass-Bottom Boat Water Sports · 3 h · from KES 3,500 per person
Day trips and tours
- Gede Ruins & Watamu Marine Park Day 8 h · from KES 7,000
Where to stay in Malindi
- Watamu
Village beside a marine park with turquoise coves, dive schools and boutique hotels.
- Malindi Town
Historic town with the seafront, Vasco da Gama Pillar and an Italian-influenced food scene.
Hotels
- Scorpio Villas 3-star · KES 9,000 to KES 15,000 per night
- Ocean Beach Resort & Spa 4-star · KES 11,000 to KES 18,000 per night
Where to eat
- Baby Marrow Italian, Seafood · about KES 2,500 per person
- La Malindina Italian, Seafood · about KES 2,500 per person
- Baobab Restaurant Seafood, Swahili · about KES 1,200 per person
Getting to Malindi
Airport: Malindi (MYD)
Getting around
- Motorbike Rental
- Tuktuk
- Walking
More in Kenya
Frequently asked questions about Malindi
- What are the main places to visit in Malindi?
- Places covered in our Malindi guide include Vasco da Gama Pillar, Malindi Marine National Park.
- Where should I stay in Malindi?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Malindi: Watamu, Malindi Town.
- How do I get around Malindi?
- Ways to get around Malindi covered in our guide: Motorbike rental, Tuk-tuk, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to Malindi?
- The nearest airport to Malindi has the code MYD.