The small town of Malindi is renowned as the best spot on the Kenyan coast for surfing. Many other activities in Malindi also revolve around the sea, and glass bottom boats take tourists out to the coral reefs of the Marine National Park.
Malindi is also a key spot for deep sea fishing. Barracuda, marlin, tuna and hammerhead sharks are all caught here, and there is a fishing festival in October.
Northwest of the town is the unique series of spectacular sandstone gorges that form the Marafa Depression, popularly known as Hell's Kitchen. A boat trip into the winding channels of the mangroves and estuaries of Mida Creek is a fascinating way to spend half a day, and a visit to the crocodile farm or snake farm also entertains.
Watamu
The 8km beach of the unspoilt village of Watamu, about half an hour south of Malindi, has been voted one of the top ten beaches in the world, and one glance at its pure white sand, crystal waters and coral reef is enough to show why. Watamu is close to Sokoke Forest, home to 260 recorded bird species, visiting herds of elephant and the ruins of the lost town of Gedi.