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Watamu kitesurfing holidays, with the Kenya experts.
Kitesurfing Holidays In WatamuWatamu is a small village on the Northern Kenyan coast, around a 3-hour transfer from Mombasa Airport (or just 30 minutes from Malidi airport).
The Watamu season at a glance
The strongest, most reliable kitesurf months are highlighted below — based on our own time on the water here, not guesswork.
Why you'll love kitesurfing in Watamu!
Kitesurfing Holidays In Watamu
Watamu is a small village on the Northern Kenyan coast, around a 3-hour transfer from Mombasa Airport (or just 30 minutes from Malidi airport). The area is absolutely stunning with pristine white-sand beaches and reef-protected lagoons; Watamu was voted one of the top ten beaches in the world!
The shoreline in the area features offshore coral formations arranged in three bays: Watamu Bay, Blue Lagoon and Turtle Bay. They are protected as part of the Watamu Marine National Park. The area provides a perfect spot to learn kitesurfing or for flat water freestyle.
Kitesurfing In Watamu
The bay of Watamu offers conditions for kitesurfers. Large sand bars provide a flatwater section that is such perfect for learning or for flat water freestyle and a reef that spans the length of the bay creates epic surf for the wave riders. Watamu Beach is 5km of powder white sand with crystal blue warm water. What really makes this location special is the reef that sits approximately ½km off the beach which protects the whole bay giving you a flat water riding experience. When the summer swells kick in you get fantastic waves (2-3m).
There are two windy seasons in Watamu; November – April and June – September. They are both trade winds and are named the Kaskhazi and the Kuzi. Both these winds blow cross-onshore making it ideal for learning. The Kaskhazi (November – April) brings warm winds coming from the N-NE that range from 18-25 knots. The Kuzi (June – September) is a little cooler but there is still no need for a wetsuit. These cooler winds have a little more power to them with wind speeds ranging up to 30 knots.
The Climate In Kenya
In Watamu, the average temperature during the day is 28-33 °C the whole year around. In the nights it drops till about 20-24 °C.
Other Activities
Watamu is a watersports paradise with fantastic conditions for stand up paddleboarding, snorkelling, diving, and deep-sea fishing. Planet also have extensive first-hand experience in Kenya and specialize if providing bespoke tailor-made tours all over East Africa. We highly recommend adding a safari extension to your holiday, as East Africa is home to some of the world's most prolific wildlife.
The Nightlife
Nightlife is very low key except for the main city of Mombasa where there are excellent bars, restaurants and evening entertainment for all tastes.
The Entry Requirements
For Kenya, UK passport holders can obtain a Transit visa which is valid for a single entry up to a maximum stay of 6 nights/7 days. If staying longer a Single Entry visa is valid for stays up to 3 months. Both visas can be gained at point of entry or before departure from the Kenyan High Commission. Please note the entry requirements can change so please check prior to travel for the latest travel advice and entry requirements.
Speak to a Kenya expert
We've ridden every spot and stayed in every hotel we sell in Kenya. Tell us your dates and level — we'll tell you honestly whether Watamu is your best match.
Skill level match
How well Watamu suits each stage of your kitesurf journey.
Learn To Kitesurf 100%
Improver (not riding upwind) 80%
Independent kiter with storage 80%
Watamu in pictures
Recommended hotels in Watamu
We've stayed in them, walked the beaches and checked the kitesurf logistics — these are the ones we'd book ourselves.
From £186/night · breakfast
Kobe Suite Resort
- Beach front boutique hotel for families, singles and couples
- Kitesurfing school on the beach
- Great food with a local flavour
From £264/night · breakfast
Lonno Lodge Watamu
- A peaceful boutique lodge with ocean views and Swahili-inspired architecture.
- Exclusive, intimate setting with tailored guest experiences
- Near Watamu Marine Park, perfect for diving, kitesurfing, and nature lovers.
Call for best price
Garoda Resort Watamu
- A stunning paradise in the Watamu Marine National Park
- Simple rustic accommodation offering great value for money
- Spa and fitness facilities available on site
Want to explore the rest of Kenya?
Our top recommended hotels across Kenya — on and off the water — perfect to weave into a tailor-made tour with your Watamu stay.
Around
£450/night
Stanley And Livingstone Boutique Hotel
Victoria Falls Discover this hotel →
Around
£840/night
Matetsi Luxury River Lodge
Victoria Falls Discover this hotel →
Surana Buffalo Springs
Buffalo Springs National Reserve Discover this hotel →
Around
£850/night
Loisaba Tented Camp
Loisaba Conservancy Discover this hotel →Kitesurf, plus the Kenya you'd hate to miss
Combine your Watamu stay with everything else worth travelling for — every tour built around your dates, level and budget.
Mount Meru Climb + 3 night Safari
Start with the drama of a Mount Meru climb, trekking through dense forest and open moorland to reach the summit at sunrise, with vast views stretching across northern Tanzania towards Mount Kilimanjaro. It’s a real adventure — wild, rewarding and far less crowded — offering a true sense of achievement at the start of your journey. From there, fly into the heart of the Serengeti National Park for a three-night luxury safari. Stay in an intimate tented camp or boutique lodge, where expert guides, beautifully prepared food and elegant surroundings combine with world-class wildlife viewing. Early morning and late afternoon game drives bring you close to lion, elephant and, depending on the season, the Great Migration, while afternoons are for relaxing with sweeping plains stretching endlessly before you.Then finish by the ocean, either in Zanzibar or along the Kenyan coast or islands, where the focus shifts entirely to your chosen ocean sport. Whether that’s kitesurfing, diving, snorkelling or wingfoiling, this final chapter is all about warm water, steady wind or clear reefs — pure, active beach living to round off an extraordinary summit-to-savannah-to-sea journey.
From £5,900 pp · Discover this tour →
Tarangire and Serengeti Luxury Experience
A fusion of sublime safari lodges and explorer-style tented safari camps creating the ultimate circuit through northern Tanzania. Embark on a safari that's truly out of the ordinary — one where refined comfort meets a strong conservation ethos, and where unscripted adventure is complemented by an unhurried pace and completely bespoke service. It provides the very best that northern Tanzania has to offer. With access to large tracts of unspoiled wilderness, a dedicated vehicle and a private guide, you have complete freedom to follow where nature leads and curate your experience to your own preferences. Prepare for an inspired journey that's purely personal and utterly unequalled. True. Wild. Free.
From £5,900 pp · Discover this tour →Talk to a Kitesurf travel expert — not a call centre.
Tell us your dates, your level and what a perfect week looks like. We'll come back with a shortlist of spots with the right conditions and the right hotel — usually within one working day.
Book your free consultation
Mon–Fri 9am–6pm
