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Watamu, Kenya

Kilifi County · Kenya

Watamu is a small city in Kilifi County, Kenya with a population of 27,857. Elevation: 20 ft (6 m). Average temperature: 77°F (25°C).

27,857 Population 809/sq mi density
20 ft Elevation 6 meters
77°F Avg Temperature 25°C
34.6 in Annual Rain
Africa / Nairobi Timezone

Discover Watamu, Kenya

Explore over 40 sections covering people, economy, housing, health, crime, climate, community, costs, trends, schools, colleges, hospitals, treatment centers, industries, museums, libraries, breweries, farmers markets, grocery stores, pharmacies, campgrounds, parks, trails, stadiums, ski resorts, daycare centers, nursing homes, churches, fire stations, cell towers, bridges, power plants, EV stations, prisons, radio stations, airports, police stations, post offices, Amtrak stations, superfund sites, UNESCO sites, and more.
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Full City Profile

About Watamu

Watamu

Watamu is a small town located approximately 105 km north of Mombasa and about 15 km south of Malindi on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya. It lies on a small headland, between the Blue Lagoon and Watamu Bay. Its main economic activities are tourism and fishing. The town had a population of around 30,000 in 2020 and it is part of Kilifi County.

People

Population27,857
Density809/mi²

Climate

Avg Temp77°F (25°C)
Rain34.6 in/yr
Sunny Days273/yr
Elevation20 ft (6 m)
Population27,857
Population Density809 / sq mi
Elevation20 ft (6 m)
Coordinates-3.3534°, 40.0210°
TimezoneAfrica/Nairobi
Country🇰🇪 Kenya
State / ProvinceKilifi County
Average Temperature77°F (25°C)
January Average78°F (26°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Annual Precipitation34.6 inches (878 mm)
Annual Snowfall0.0 inches (0 cm)

About Watamu

Watamu is a small city in Kenya (Kilifi County) with a population of 27,857. The city sits at an elevation of 20 feet (6 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 77°F (25°C). Temperatures range from 78°F in January to 74°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 34.6 inches. The timezone is Africa/Nairobi.

Climate in Watamu

Watamu has an average annual temperature of 0°C (32°F). The hottest month is Jan (0°C), the coldest is Jan (0°C). Average annual precipitation is 1144 mm.

Month Avg °C / °F Min / Max °C Rain (mm)
Jan 0°C / 32°F — / — 19.4
Feb 0°C / 32°F — / — 1.6
Mar 0°C / 32°F — / — 46.2
Apr 0°C / 32°F — / — 160.9
May 0°C / 32°F — / — 312.2
Jun 0°C / 32°F — / — 144.6
Jul 0°C / 32°F — / — 104.6
Aug 0°C / 32°F — / — 54.7
Sep 0°C / 32°F — / — 50.3
Oct 0°C / 32°F — / — 116.1
Nov 0°C / 32°F — / — 89.9
Dec 0°C / 32°F — / — 43.0
Watamu has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 77°F (25°C). Winters average 78°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 273 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 34.6 inches. The city sits at an elevation of 20 feet, near sea level.

Temperature

78°F Jan (26°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average77.1°F
43% above Kenya avg
January Average78°F (26°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation20 ft (6 m)
Area34.5 sq mi (89.2 km²)
Population Density809/sq mi
Coordinates-3.3534°N, 40.0210°W
TimezoneAfrica/Nairobi

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 34.6"
9% below Kenya avg
Snowfall 0.0"
Wettest Month (May) 9.09"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.35"

Air Quality

Earthquake History

4 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M5.5. Most recent: M4.0 on May 29, 2011.

Mar 13, 1990 29 km ENE of Mombasa, Kenya M5.5 72 km
Feb 27, 1995 19 km SSW of Takaungu, Kenya M4.9 61 km
Jun 17, 2006 11 km SE of Mombasa, Kenya M4.2 93 km
May 29, 2011 104 km NW of Malindi, Kenya M4.0 111 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tsunami History

1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 6.0 m (20 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1930 MOMBASA Earthquake 6.0 m 87 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 78°F (26°C) 0.6 in
February 79°F (26°C) 0.4 in Driest
March 81°F (27°C) 1.6 in Warmest
April 79°F (26°C) 4.7 in
May 77°F (25°C) 9.1 in Wettest
June 75°F (24°C) 4.2 in
July 74°F (23°C) 3.0 in Coldest
August 74°F (23°C) 2.0 in
September 75°F (24°C) 1.7 in
October 77°F (25°C) 2.5 in
November 78°F (25°C) 2.9 in
December 78°F (26°C) 2.0 in

Watamu has a seasonal temperature swing of 7°F / from 74°F in July to 81°F in March. Total annual precipitation is 34.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (9.1") and February the driest (0.4").

View full weather details →

Colleges & Universities in Watamu

Institution Type Founded Website
I.F.C AMANI sosobora Hope center College

Schools in Watamu

15 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).

School Level Enrollment Teachers Student/Teacher
Kingsway Junior School
Watamu Primary Play Ground
Chipande memorial primary school
Mkangagani Primary school
Matsangoni primary school
Jawabu junior academy
Madeteni primary school
Katana Ngala secondary school
Soyosoyo academy
Uyombo girls secondary school
Uyombo Primary school
Mahenzo Primary School
Kanani Primary School
Marafiki School
Atabuko Primaru School
View full schools details →

Radio Stations near Watamu

0 stations within ~55 km.

Station Genre Quality

Museums in Watamu

NameTypeAddressPhoneAnnual Revenue
B68
Gede Ruins
House of Columns
Malindi Museum

Farmers Markets in Watamu

NameAddressSeasonHoursOrganicWebsite
Kakuyuni market
Kibokoni Center
Maboromokoni Center
Majivuni Center
Malindi Curio Market
Malindi Tourist
Mgandini market
Mmangani Open Market
Moi Center
Muguruleni
Sabaki kikombe market
Sabaki Maboromokoni Center
Sabaki mijikenda
Sabaki shell

Restaurants in Watamu

18 restaurants within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Amandina
Baobab Village
Bilbao
Crab shack dabaso
Dunjee Beach Da Mario
Gede Resort
Jambo Cafe
Jumbo Watamu
Lichthaus
Mapango
Pili Pan
Rock an Sea Restaurant
Safina beach bar & grill
Saidi Barbecue Restaurant
Savannah Restaurant
Smart Dishes Restaurant
Sunset Paradise Sita
Swahili Restaurant

Cafes in Watamu

3 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Ali's Cafe
Love Island Beach Bar
Watamu Halal Restaurant

Clinics in Watamu

1 clinics within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Mida Majaoni Commu nity Dispensary

Gas Stations in Watamu

4 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Filling Station
Kobil Petrol Station
OLA Energy
Total

Banks in Watamu

2 banks within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Barclays
KCB Bank

Shopping Malls in Watamu

1 shopping malls within city radius — OpenStreetMap data

Naturalmente Pane

Airports Near Watamu

10 airports within the area.

AirportIATAType
Moi International AirportMBALarge Airport
Malindi International AirportMYDMedium Airport
Bamburi AirportBMQSmall Airport
Galana Ranch AirstripSmall Airport
Kijipwa AirportSmall Airport
Kilifi Plantation Farm AirportSmall Airport
Koma Wayu (Tank E) AirstripSmall Airport
Kore Galana Ranch AirportSmall Airport
Kulalu Ranch AirportSmall Airport
Vipingo Estate AirportVPGSmall Airport

Post Offices in Watamu

2 post offices.

Post OfficeAddress
Gede Posta
Watamu Post Office

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Near Watamu

1 UNESCO sites.

SiteCategoryYear
The Historic Town and Archaeological Site of GediCultural2024

Churches & Religious Organizations in Watamu

5 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).

NameAddress
ACK ST. PETER'S CHURCH
Catholic Church
FPFK Gede Church
St. John Catholic Church
Stellamaries Catholic Church

Quick Facts

Timezone
Africa/Nairobi
Postal Code
80202

🇰🇪 About Kenya

Capital Nairobi
Population 51,393,010
Area 582,650 km²
GDP (USD) $107,500,884,685
GDP per capita $1,943
HDI 0.601
Life expectancy 63.7 years
Internet users 35.0%
Urban population 31.6%
Currency KES (Shilling)
Languages English, Swahili
Calling code +254
TLD .ke
Driving side left

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Near Watamu

The Historic Town and Archaeological Site of Gedi
Cultural · inscribed 2024
Surrounded by a remnant coastal forest, away from the coastline, the abandoned city of Gedi was one of the most important Swahili cities on the East African coast from the 10th to 17th centuries. During this period, it was part of a complex and international n...

Public Holidays in Kenya

10 public holidays this year

Date Holiday Local Name
Jan 1 New Year's Day New Year's Day
Apr 3 Good Friday Good Friday
Apr 6 Easter Monday Easter Monday
May 1 Labour Day Labour Day
Jun 1 Madaraka Day Madaraka Day
Oct 10 Mazingira Day Mazingira Day
Oct 20 Mashujaa Day Mashujaa Day
Dec 12 Jamhuri Day Jamhuri Day
Dec 25 Christmas Day Christmas Day
Dec 26 Boxing Day Boxing Day

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Frequently Asked Questions About Watamu

What is the population of Watamu?

Watamu has a population of 27,857 residents and is located in Kenya. The population density is 809 people per square mile, spread across 34.5 square miles.

What is the weather like in Watamu?

Watamu has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 77°F (25°C). Winter temperatures average 78°F in January, while summers reach an average of 74°F in July. The area receives 273 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 34.6 inches.

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