Turtle Bay Beach Club

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Turtle Bay Beach Club

Turtle Bay Beach Resort Watamu is one of Kenya's best-known all-inclusive beachfront resorts. It is located on the northern Kenya coast in Watamu, within the protected Watamu Marine National Park, making it an excellent destination for beach holidays, snorkeling, diving, and family vacations. 

Location

  • County: Kilifi County, Kenya

  • Nearest town: Watamu

  • Distance from Malindi: Approximately 25 km

  • Distance from Mombasa: Approximately 110 km

  • Beach frontage: Around 200 metres of white sandy beach within the marine park. 

The resort enjoys direct access to one of East Africa's most celebrated coral reef ecosystems, known for its calm turquoise waters and rich marine biodiversity. 

History

The resort has been operating since 1972, making it one of the longest-established beach resorts on Kenya's coast. It has also earned recognition for its environmental practices through Gold certification from Ecotourism Kenya. 

Accommodation

The property has 145 guest rooms spread across approximately 10 acres of tropical gardens.

Room categories include:

  • Super Club Rooms

  • Lamu Rooms

  • Ocean Front Rooms

  • Sea View Suites

Typical room features:

  • Air conditioning

  • Ceiling fan

  • Private balcony or terrace

  • En-suite bathroom

  • Television

  • Hairdryer

  • Tea and coffee facilities

  • In-room safe

  • Mosquito protection

  • Wi-Fi access in many areas. 

Restaurants and Bars

The resort operates on an all-inclusive basis.

Dining options include:

  • Main buffet restaurant

  • Blue Turtle à la carte restaurant (seafood and fine dining)

  • Pizza garden

  • Pool snack bar

There are also three bars, offering:

  • Cocktails

  • Local beers

  • Wines

  • Soft drinks

  • Fresh juices

  • Coffee and tea. 

Swimming Pools

Facilities include:

  • Main activity swimming pool

  • Adults-only quiet pool

  • Children's pool. 

Marine Activities

Because the resort sits inside the marine park, guests have easy access to:

  • Snorkeling

  • Scuba diving

  • Glass-bottom boat trips

  • Deep-sea fishing (outside protected zones)

  • Dolphin watching

  • Turtle viewing (seasonal)

  • Kayaking

  • Paddleboarding

The nearby reefs support:

  • Coral gardens

  • Reef fish

  • Sea turtles

  • Dolphins

  • Whale sharks (seasonal)

  • Manta rays (occasionally). 

Family Facilities

The resort is particularly popular with families.

Facilities include:

  • Supervised Kids Club (ages 4–12)

  • Arts and crafts

  • Swimming competitions

  • Games

  • Children's entertainment

  • Babysitting (subject to availability)

  • Family-friendly entertainment. 

Sports and Recreation

Guests can enjoy:

  • Tennis

  • Beach volleyball

  • Table tennis

  • Water aerobics

  • Beach football

  • Darts

  • Archery

  • Fitness activities

  • Evening live music

  • Cultural dance performances

  • Theme nights

  • Disco and entertainment shows. 

Nearby Attractions

Popular excursions include:

  • Watamu Marine National Park

  • Mida Creek for mangrove tours

  • Gede Ruins

  • Arabuko-Sokoke Forest

  • Dolphin and sunset cruises

  • Local Swahili villages

  • Malindi town. 

Sustainability

The resort has a strong environmental focus and supports:

  • Sea turtle conservation through local initiatives

  • Regular beach clean-ups

  • Waste reduction and recycling

  • Environmental education for guests

  • Partnerships with local conservation organizations

  • Responsible tourism practices. 

Guest Reviews

The resort generally receives positive feedback for:

Strengths

  • Excellent beachfront location

  • Friendly staff

  • Good value for money

  • Variety of activities

  • Family-friendly atmosphere

  • Access to the marine park

  • Reliable all-inclusive package. 

Common criticisms

  • Some rooms may feel dated compared with newer luxury resorts.

  • Wi-Fi performance can vary by location.

  • Buffet menus can become repetitive during longer stays.

  • Seaweed and tides naturally affect beach conditions at certain times of the year. 

Best Time to Visit

  • January–March: Warm weather, calm seas, excellent snorkeling and diving.

  • July–October: Cooler temperatures and popular for beach holidays.

  • April–May: Long rainy season, with fewer visitors and often lower accommodation rates.

  • November–December: Short rains interspersed with sunny periods. 

Ideal For

The resort is well suited to:

  • Families with children

  • Couples seeking an all-inclusive beach holiday

  • Honeymooners

  • Divers and snorkelers

  • Nature lovers

  • Travelers combining a Kenyan safari with a beach stay

  • Groups and conferences, thanks to its meeting facilities. 

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