Kenya · Watamu – A Pristine Beach Escape with Crystal-Clear Waters 🌊✨

📍 Jacaranda Bay, Watamu 2-25 – A local guide led me to this hidden gem just beyond Malindi, officially part of Watamu. Compared to Malindi’s beaches, the sand here is softer, whiter, and the water unbelievably clear—yet somehow, Kenya’s ocean always photographs darker than reality. Is it the light? The weather? Today was overcast, but the UV rays were brutal—I swear I could feel myself turning charcoal-black under the morning sun. 😅☀️ Why Watamu’s Beaches Stand Out While Malindi’s shores are lively, Watamu feels more untouched. The water here has that glassy, turquoise shimmer, perfect for: Snorkeling 🐠 (marine life is insane) Sunbathing without crowds 🏖️ Long, peaceful walks along the tide But yes—Kenyan seas never look as blue on camera as they do in person. Maybe it’s the Indian Ocean’s depth, or the way the light reflects differently here. Either way, don’t trust photos alone! Local Secrets & Funny Moments My guide, Juma, laughed when I mentioned the "dark water illusion." "Tourists always say that! But wait till you see it under full sun—like liquid sapphire!" 💎 He wasn’t wrong. We also stumbled upon local fishermen hauling in their catch—tiny silver fish glittering in their nets. One guy grinned and said, "For dinner, yes?" (I politely declined. 😂) Beach Life Real Talk Pros: Zero plastic pollution (rare for East Africa!) Warm, bath-like water 🛁 Fewer hawkers than Malindi Cons: UV is NO JOKE (RIP my sunscreen supply) Sand gets HOT by noon—flip-flops mandatory! 🔥 Bonus Adventure: A Failed #VanLife Moment Tried to motorcycle here from Kilifi but halfway through, my bike sputtered out near a baobab forest. Thankfully, a Maasai herder pointed me to a roadside mechanic who fixed it with a stick and some wire. Only in Kenya! 🏍️💨 Final Thoughts? Watamu is Kenya’s underrated coastal paradise. If you’re in Malindi, take a day trip here—just don’t forget: Reef-safe sunscreen (trust me) A hat + cover-up (that equatorial sun burns) Cash for fresh coconuts 🥥 #Travel #Kenya #Watamu #Malindi #Kilifi #BeachLife #MotorcycleDiaries 🌍❤️