Airbnb review

Have you ever wondered what lies between Watamu and Malindi? What awaits you there? The answer is the perfect beach holiday in Watamu Kenya

A secret beach for a holiday in Watamu, Kenya

Here’s a secret. If you look on the map nestled between the two towns, you may spy a patch of white sand called Jacaranda Beach. It features the Kenyan coastal staples; a pristine beach scattered with cowrie shells and the occasional pinkly painted conch shells.  Its blue water holds a diverse marine life, rainbow-coloured tropical fish shore side of the coral reef and pelagics in the deep. It has some truly excellent sandbars, the kind that emerge above the waves just enough to picnic on at low tide and are a golden destination point glimmering beneath the surface when the water is up.  There are palms with coconuts that you can pick and drink straight from the tree. There monkeys that leap through bougainvillaea and lizards that climb the white walls. And flowers, there are flowers everywhere dancing in the cacti and winding their way through the thatched huts.

Beach bars in Watamu, Kenya

This stretch of beach is the only place I have found so far in Watamu, Kenya that has a genuine run of beach bars. The type you get all over Asia, where you bury your feet in the sand as you sip cocktails staring out at the sea. The difference is they are empty for most of the year. A landlady tells me that few tourists come here, except for two weeks over Christmas. There are ten or so bars stretching down the beach. These Italian run bars, sell Aperol Spritz and crab samosas. They occupy a perfect spot, and in this perfect place, we found a dream Airbnb beach House.

A large coastal home right on the beach.  

Nyumba da Madau is a 5 bedroomed Swahili style house right on the beach. A beautiful open outdoors house that looks over the sea. It has a  huge deck with comfy chairs, sofas and a dining table for 12.  The deck overlooks a sandy garden where the kids can play, sheltered by a wall of cactus.  Essentially they are on the beach but safe under the watchful eyes of their parents… indeed this cactus hedge must do a better job of keeping unwanted strangers out than many an electric fence.

A Swahili house immaculately styled & perfect for large groups

Inside is a large sitting area, upstairs balcony and a reading corner filled with books and board games. Two bedrooms look out on to the deck. Toward the back is a guest kitchen for drinks and nibbles (the real kitchen where the magic happens is in the staff quarters).  To the side of the house sits a small courtyard where there are three further bedrooms, all with huge double beds and en suites (one has two double beds). These three bedrooms are air-conditioned – the ones at the front only have fans.

It’s a glorious house filled with nick-nacks from the sea and a life spent in Africa. Shells and urchins decorate the walls, carved statues and furniture created from weathered wood are everywhere. Rugs and cushions and a cacophony of trinkets made this feel like a home, not a holiday house.

Whilst the main attraction is the deck and the beach, within the compound there is a huge pool. Spotlessly clean, warmed by the sun and surrounded by good sun beds. We were mostly alone for our time there.  Right next to the house is a boutique hotel where, if you ask nicely, they will bring cocktails to the pool. Honestly, it doesn’t get any better than this. I've stayed in a lot of big houses on the beach with friends and this was one of the very best experiences I've had.

Excellent staff and chef for a holiday in Watamu Kenya

The house comes with a full complement of staff; Cornelius the wonderful house manager, a cleaner and a cook. The staff are happy to suggest meals and to shop for you. They can also cook a fantastic range of dishes, mostly Italian and Seafood. The cost is extra but absolutely worth it. Don’t forget to tip everyone on departure.

The beach bars next door are a great sundowner escape or spot for pizza at lunch and the boutique hotel takes it up a notch with amazing cocktails and a dress shop. If this sounds like Jacaranda beach is swarming with shops and bars you couldn’t be further from the truth. These are tiny hidden gems, little beacons of life in a paradise cove.

The only slight negative is that the house is a long drive. Whilst technically close to Watamu its down a long bumpy track so make sure you get a car and not a TukTuk as I did, which took forever.  I’d plan to stay most nights at the house rather than hitting the town.

As far as reviews go this was a winner… we paid approx. 320 USD per night on Airbnb and there were 11 in total (3 families) which is amazing value for the quality of the house and location to the beach.

Cost: 320 USD for 11 people in December (not over Xmas)

Location: Jacaranda Road, Jacaranda Beach, Watamu, Kenya

Contact for booking: AIRBNB Link here

Not sure where you want to be on the Kenyan Coast – have a look at the blog which studies the best destinations along the Kenyan Coast in detail.

Think Nyumba du Madau is a little big for you, my other favorite place is Sand Island Beach – Robinson Crusoe paradise with something for everyone

Got kids? Want a place with a kids club? Then check out Turtle Bay

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