Crescent House, Watamu
A lovely, substantial, and very private villa built in traditional, airy and imposing Swahili style and surrounded by greenery, Crescent House looks out across the Indian Ocean from one of the best positions in Turtle Bay and enjoys direct access to a quiet stretch of Watamu’s beautiful beach.airy,
Summary
- A charming, spacious, and secluded beachfront home perfect for family groups
- Serene and self-contained, but with all Watamu’s attractions close at hand
- Large swimming pool 12×7 m surrounded by palm trees and indigenous forest
- Private pathway down to Watamu’s pristine sands
- Wood-fired pizza oven and bar area, inside and outside dining areas
- Rooftop sunset lounge and yoga space, television room, and study
- Accommodates up to 10 guests in 5 bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms
- Standard accommodation rate of $800 per night for ‘self-catering’ with chef and staff
Location
Watamu Beach
Watamu (“home of the sweet people” in Kiswahili) is a small town on the Kenyan coast, 120 km north of Mombasa and 20 km south of Malindi. It has won an international reputation for its pristine white-sand beaches, clear waters, offshore coral formations, and reef-protected lagoons, which line the Watamu National Marine Park and Reserve, the oldest and largest in East Africa, covering over 229 square kilometers.
The Marine Park and Reserve is renowned worldwide for its natural beauty and boasts a rich marine life—from visiting whale sharks and manta rays to three species of sea turtles. It is also considered one of the best snorkeling and diving areas on the coast of East Africa. Watamu has been voted one of the three best beaches in Africa and one of the top ten beaches in the world—steeped in natural fauna and flora and with three stunning bays—Watamu, Blue Lagoon, and Turtle Bay.
Scuba Diving, Watamu
All kinds of water sports and activities are available in Watamu—from sailing and deep-sea fishing to scuba diving, water-skiing, kitesurfing, and paddleboarding. Tribe Watersports, situated on Turtle Bay beach, is a good first stop and can cater to most of one’s needs—offering tuition, equipment rental, and advice.
Kite Surfing, Watamu
There is a good supermarket in Watamu together with a range of local shops, and a bigger selection of shops and boutiques about 30 minutes away in Malindi. Recommended places to eat and drink include the Pilipan restaurant at Mida Creek, a little to the south of town, and the bars and restaurants at Hemingways Resort and Ocean Sports on Turtle Bay Beach.
Bio-Ken Snake Farm
The Bio Ken Snake Farm and laboratory houses East Africa’s largest collection of snakes and is one of the world’s most renowned snake research centers. It specializes in antivenin research and also acts as an emergency service for snake-bite victims throughout the region. Well-informed guides lead excellent 45-minute tours of the facility.
Gedi Ruins
The Gedi Ruins are the ancient remains of a substantial Swahili Arab town dating from the 12th century. Once a thriving and well-planned community of at least 2500 people, with a magnificent palace, several mosques, and many large stone houses, the people of Gedi grew rich on trade with India, China, and Europe, but the town was mysteriously abandoned in the 17th century.
Hell’s Kitchen
Just north of Malindi and a few miles inland close to the village of Marafa is the picturesque ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ – Malindi’s answer to The Grand Canyon – a dramatic series of rock formations and gorges. The 4,300-hectare Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve is situated to the west of Watamu and is the largest single block of indigenous coastal forest remaining in East Africa—it forms the centrepiece of a world-renowned habitat for rare and endangered mammals and birds.
Arabuko Sokoke Forest
Detailed Information
- Ground Floor master bedroom suite connecting to a twin bedroom
- 3 further double bedrooms – one on the Ground Floor and two on the First Floor
- All bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms, air-conditioners and walk-in wardrobes
- First floor open-plan living and dining area under the makuti cathedral roof
- Garden terrace on the Ground Floor with living areas and big dining table
- Entrance hall with sitting area, massage room, well-equipped kitchen
- Store for sports gear, laundry, linen and towels
- Swimming pool (12.5 x 8 metres) with sun beds and towels
- 1 acre-plot with mature gardens, pool deck, swinging beds
- Wi-fi internet
- On-site management, menu-planning, shopping and assistance
- Concierge, event planning, restaurant reservations
- Excursions to the beach, diving, riding, golfing, deep-sea fishing and more
- Masseur, personal trainer and yoga instructor upon request
- 24-hour security guard services
- Electrical back-up system
How to get there
By Air
Watamu is less than 30 minutes by road from Malindi Airport, which has several scheduled flights each day to and from Nairobi. Some flights also arrive or depart via Mombasa or Lamu.Airlines serving Malindi and Nairobi include—
- Safarilink (from Wilson Airport) www.flysafarilink.com
- Jambo Jet (from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport) www.jambojet.com
- Skyward Express (from Wilson Airport) www.skywardexpress.co.ke
By Road
Watamu is situated just off the main B8 coastal highway and the driving time from Mombasa should be less than two hours. Driving time from Nairobi is around nine hours via Mombasa.Driving to and from Nairobi, it is also possible to bypass Mombasa and to travel through Tsavo East National Park on the picturesque C103 Road, which follows the route of the Galana River.
Visitors Book
“The best secret for a vacation in Malindi, Kenya. It’s like having your own luxury home with a full team of staff attending to all your needs under the owners Sabina & Piero’s supervision. I highly recommend it. I felt I was living in a spa with massages and yoga sessions every day. A temple of rejuvenation and good energy. It was beyond all my expectations.”
Jean-Charles, USA
“In this charming, owner-run villa, there is a striking painting by the artist Giampaolo Tomasi who portrays the head of the Mijikenda tribe, seats made from traditional dhows, Armando Tanzini sculptures, Indian fabrics and objects, the Italian taste of Lalla Spagnoll’s decor, and more. 10 guests can occupy the main house, which has five spacious rooms. There are two large verandahs and a big swimming pool coupled with a pool deck, which would be great for practicing yoga.”
Nomad Magazine on ‘Our Top Four Houses of 2019’
“Sabina and Piero embrace the real sense of Africa and hospitality. These two extraordinary hosts with their excellent knowledge of the area can help and assist you in making your stay unforgettable! Their love and passion for this amazing land is so big that you can feel it! This place has such attention to detail and such a high quality of service—I really miss it and have so many happy memories of my cozy home in Africa!”
Viviana, Italy
Rates
Self-catering Accommodation Rates
- Minimum stay – 3 nights
- Maximum occupancy – 10 guests
- Minimum stay over Christmas and New Year – 7 nights
Standard Accommodation Rate
- $800 per night
Christmas & New Year Rate (15th Dec to 15th Jan)
- $1,200 per night
All stays are on a ‘self-catering’ basis, including the services of a chef and staff. Check-in – 3 pm, Check-out – 10 am.
These rates are for Kenyan residents—please contact us for non-resident rates.
These rates and terms and conditions are valid for stays up until 15th January 2027
The owners require all adult guests to sign an indemnity/disclaimer form on arrival.
The swimming pool is unfenced. The property features steep staircases, balconies, and roof terraces. Children must be closely supervised around the pool by an adult guest and should never be left unattended in any part of the property at any time.
Please contact us to make a booking.
Please familiarize yourself with all the terms & conditions on our website when making a booking
Bookings can only be confirmed upon receipt of payment. Until a booking is confirmed, availability is subject to change without notice.
