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Major city · Kenya

Malindi

Give Malindi 2–3 nights as a base for Watamu, Gede and the marine park; skip it if you want the best sand — Watamu's beaches are better.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Malindi is a small Indian Ocean town 110 km north of Mombasa, with an Italian-tourist economy, a Swahili old town and a working pier. Its own beach is broad but the Sabaki River often turns the water brown; the clearer sand and coves are 25 km south at Watamu. Most travellers use Malindi for 2–3 nights, split between the town's history and the Watamu marine park and Gede ruins.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
KES
Best months
Dec–Mar (check)
avoid Apr–May (long rains); May–Oct southeast monsoon brings wind and rough water — check current sea conditions before booking dive or snorkel trips
Airport
MYD
Nights
2–3
Rules in force · 9Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
  • Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
  • Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
  • East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
  • East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
  • East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
  • Kenya ↗Apply for the Kenya eTA only on the official portal (etakenya.go.ke) at least 3 working days before you fly; lookalike sites charge double. Most African passports have been exempt since 2025.
  • Kenya ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention and check whether a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for your route, including transits.
  • Kenya ↗Plastic carrier bags are banned; leave shop and duty-free plastic bags behind before you fly in.
  • Kenya ↗Light aircraft to the parks have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator and leave a hard case in Nairobi.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Malindi999 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance999
  • Police, fire, ambulance (alternative)112

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Malindi, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Tuk-tuk, most in-town journeysKsh 200 (check)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekSIM data, 10 GB / 30 daysKsh 1,000 (check)
  • Budget bedGuest house double room, a night, per roomKES 1,500
  • Mid-range bedGuest house double room, a night, per roomKES 3,500
  • High-end bedGuest house double room, a night, per roomKES 7,000

A day, not counting the bed: Budget KES 4,000 · Mid KES 9,000 · High KES 20,000

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Vasco da Gama PillarPortuguese ChapelMalindi Marine National ParkGede ruins and Watamu beaches
Airports
MYD Malindi Airport (Domestic only; flights from Nairobi (Wilson or JKIA), Mombasa and Lamu. No international arrivals.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    32°C (90°F)

  4. Apr

    Avoid

    31°C (88°F)

  5. May

    Avoid

    29°C (84°F)

  6. Jun

    Avoid

    28°C (82°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    27°C (81°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    27°C (81°F)

  9. Sep

    Avoid

    28°C (82°F)

  10. Oct

    Avoid

    30°C (86°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    31°C (88°F)

  12. Dec

    Best

    32°C (90°F)

Best: Dec–Mar. Avoid: Apr–Oct. Month by month →

Warmest Mar (32°C (90°F)), coolest Jul (21°C (70°F) low), wettest May (16 rain days), driest Feb (4). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Malindi: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

31°C (88°F)

23°C (73°F)

5 rd

Feb

31°C (88°F)

23°C (73°F)

4 rd

Mar

32°C (90°F)

24°C (75°F)

8 rd

Apr

31°C (88°F)

24°C (75°F)

14 rd

May

29°C (84°F)

23°C (73°F)

16 rd

Jun

28°C (82°F)

22°C (72°F)

12 rd

Jul

27°C (81°F)

21°C (70°F)

11 rd

Aug

27°C (81°F)

21°C (70°F)

9 rd

Sep

28°C (82°F)

21°C (70°F)

8 rd

Oct

30°C (86°F)

22°C (72°F)

9 rd

Nov

31°C (88°F)

23°C (73°F)

12 rd

Dec

32°C (90°F)

23°C (73°F)

8 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Tuk-tuk for most in-town hops, motorbike taxi for one person, and a normal taxi at night for safety. Buses and matatus run the Mombasa–Malindi road; the Watamu and Gede run is a short matatu or tuk-tuk ride south.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Watamu and the marine park

go

Door to door: About 45 min

Matatu or tuk-tuk south on the Mombasa road, about 25 km (16 mi)

Snorkelling and glass-bottom boat trips start from Watamu beach; Turtle Bay, Mapango and Garoda are the main beaches.

Gede ruins

go

Door to door: About 1 h

Same road south, then a short tuk-tuk from the junction

Swahili stone town in forest, 12th century origins; go early, it is hot by midday.

Arabuko-Sokoke Forest

go

Door to door: About 1–1.5 h

Matatu or tuk-tuk to the Gede area, then a guide with a vehicle

Largest coastal forest in East Africa; dawn to about 09:00 is best for birds. A 4WD reaches more tracks.

Marafa Hell's Kitchen

caution

Door to door: About 1 h

Matatu or taxi inland from Malindi

Sandstone gorge; best light late afternoon. Check access and guide arrangements locally.

Lamu

overnight

Door to door: check

Fly from Malindi Airport

Do not attempt the road; fly. Check schedules and fares with the airline.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Malindi town and seafront

Walkable to the pillar, museum and pier; guest houses from about Ksh 1,000 and up. Traffic on Lamu Road is heavy.

Silversand and the south beach

Resort strip south of town near the marine park; quieter, needs a tuk-tuk for the centre.

Watamu (25 km south)

Better beaches, more relaxed restaurants and bars; use it instead of Malindi if sand is the point.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
Ksh 4,000–7,000 excl. bed (check)
Mid
Ksh 7,000–14,000 excl. bed (check)
High
Ksh 14,000+ excl. bed (check)

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Beach resort double room1 × 3 nights × KES 15,000KES 45,000
Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × KES 9,000KES 54,000
Tuk-tuk, in-town hop1 × KES 200 · checkKES 200
Motorbike taxi, one person2 × KES 100 · checkKES 200
SIM data bundle, 10 GB / 30 days2 × KES 1,000 · checkKES 2,000
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeKES 10,140
Trip total≈ KES 18,590 per person per day, bed includedKES 111,540

check

2026 estimate in Kenyan shillings; flights excluded. Bands are estimates — check current rates. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Tuk-tuk, most in-town journeysKsh 200 (check)
Motorbike taxiKsh 100 (check)
Guest house double roomKsh 1,000–1,500 (check)
Pizza or seafood maincheckKsh 800–1,800
SIM data, 10 GB / 30 daysKsh 1,000 (check)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Malindi is a normal beach town, not a no-go area, but keep to the seafront and hotel strips after dark, take taxis at night, and treat the Lamu road as off-limits. Standard Kenya advice applies: no valuables on the beach, no walking empty stretches alone.
  • Do not take a bus from Malindi to Lamu — fly instead.
  • The sea near town can be brown from the Sabaki River; go south to Watamu for clear water.
  • Tuk-tuks and motorbike taxis are not the safest option after dark; take a taxi.
  • Card ATMs at some banks charge overseas cards a fee; check the screen before withdrawing.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
999
Police, fire, ambulance (alternative)
112

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

MalindiMalindi

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Nipeleke kwa anwani hii, tafadhaliTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance999
  • Police, fire, ambulance (alternative)112

Embassy

No embassies in Malindi; most are in Nairobi, with consulates in Mombasa. Check your own country's list before you travel.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Tuk-tuk, in-town: about Ksh 200 (check)
  • Motorbike taxi: about Ksh 100 (check)
  • Malindi → Watamu, matatu or tuk-tuk: about 25 km (16 mi) south; ask the fare before you get in

Say or show

  • Jambo — Hello (JAM-bo)
  • Asante — Thank you (a-SAN-te)
  • Bei gani? — How much is it? (BAY GAH-nee)
  • Choo kiko wapi? — Where is the toilet? (CHO kee-ko WA-pee)
  • Sitaki, asante — I don't want it, thank you (see-TAH-kee, a-SAN-te)

Prices are 2026 estimates; confirm fares and entry fees locally.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Malindi. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Dec–Mar (check) · avoid Apr–May (long rains); May–Oct southeast monsoon brings wind and rough water — check current sea conditions before booking dive or snorkel trips · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 5 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to Kenya

Sources

Ask about Malindi

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