Aquarius Club International Resort in Watamu

Aquarius Club International Resort is a 4-star boutique beach resort situated in Watamu on Kenya's North Coast and fuses traditional Swahili architecture with Italian-style food and hospitality. The 80 air-conditioned rooms are located in a quiet, enclosed tropical garden. A private pedestrian footbridge offers safe access over the village road to a beachfront terrace which has restaurants, bars and direct access to the beach. Because of its layout, its position in the village and the multilingual staff, the resort offers a relaxed and secure environment for a beach holiday after a safari.

Getting to Aquarius Club International Resort

Malindi Airport is the closest one, lying approximately 17 km (25 minutes) to the north of the resort; Moi International Airport in Mombasa is some 100 km to the south and can be reached in a drive of 3 hours.

Flights from Nairobi to Malindi take about 1 hour and 15 minutes and then have a short road transfer to Watamu. The road transfer will be arranged by us according to your arrival and flight times. Malindi Airport is nearer and transfers from Mombasa take more time.

Accommodation at Aquarius Club International Resort

The resort has 80 air-conditioned guestrooms, each featuring a private, furnished veranda, balcony or patio with a view of the gardens. The types of rooms available are single, double, twin, triple and interconnecting family rooms. Standard facilities consist of Swahili four-poster beds with mosquito nets, ceiling fans, en suite bathrooms, in-room safes, minibars or fridges and writing desks. Double and twin rooms are suitable for couples and people traveling alone. Families can make use of interconnecting rooms which keep parents and children near each other while still providing separate sleeping areas. Apartment-style units with kitchenettes might be available; we can look into their availability and suitability for your group.

Facilities and resort life

The Aquarius Club is set among tropical gardens, with pool areas close to the rooms and a separate beach terrace that can be reached by means of a private footbridge. Guests have the option of selecting the more peaceful garden and pool areas or the more social beachfront, where they can swim, have drinks and enjoy views of the sea. There is a special children’s pool which gives families a different choice from using the beach. The resort provides a massage and beauty centre, fitness facilities, table tennis and free Wi‑Fi for relaxing or for carrying out activities indoors. On the beachfront terrace there are loungers, a bar and direct access to the beach, whereas in the gardens there is a shaded area which is suitable when the tide is high or when guests would rather avoid the sand. This arrangement is suitable for families, couples and those who are staying for more than one night.

Dining at Aquarius Club International Resort

Dining is one of the resort's best features. The main buffet restaurant serves both continental and local food. At the beachfront Mapango Restaurant & Pizzeria, authentic Italian food is available, featuring handmade pasta, wood-fired pizzas and fresh coastal seafood like lobster and prawns. The meal plans cover bed and breakfast, half board, full board and all-inclusive choices. In addition, the tour desk can arrange special activities, for example, sandbank seafood barbecues and private candlelight dinners on the beach terrace.

It is convenient for families to have dining available on site. Once the children have finished their activities by the pool or at the beach, they can rest in the afternoon and then eat at the resort in the evening, thus avoiding the need for extra travel. They can choose from well-known Italian food, seafood and food that is local, making it certain that both the children and the adults will find something they like when eating together.

The shops, the supermarket, the restaurants and the Bio-Ken Snake Farm are all within walking distance, so that the guests can easily tour the area in the evenings.

Activities and experiences

The local operators, together with the tour desk at the resort, arrange the majority of the activities; these options are snorkelling and diving on the coral reefs, cruises on boats with a glass bottom, spotting dolphins in Mida Creek, deep-sea fishing, windsurfing, horseback riding and walking around the village. Cultural and nature trips consist of visits to the Gedi Ruins, guided walks and birdwatching in the Arabuko Sokoke Forest and trips to Malindi's old town and markets.

We recommend trips that take into account your interests, the time of year and the tides, and we arrange them to match your safari itinerary so that the pace remains relaxed.

Beyond the beach

The wildlife activities offered by the Aquarius Club are mostly concerned with marine and coastal environments, covering coral reefs, reef fish, green sea turtles and, at certain times, dolphins. Next to the Aquarius Club there is the Bio-Ken Snake Farm, which has the largest collection of snakes in East Africa and provides a dedicated reptile experience. If guests want to go on game drives or visit Kenya's larger national parks, they travel inland to places like Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Amboseli or the Maasai Mara. Often the resort is used as a relaxing beach destination after a safari or as a base for a two-day trip to Tsavo.

Seasonal conditions

The coast is generally the driest and most pleasant from July to October and from January to March, with calm waters and excellent visibility for snorkelling and diving. The long rainy season takes place from late April through June, which lowers ocean visibility and means that some activities are restricted. The resort usually stays open and may use this time for improvements. When travelling during the rainy season, it is necessary to check whether excursions are available as well as for any seasonal changes.

Suitability for diverse travelers

The Aquarius Club is an appropriate choice for couples seeking a beach vacation with quiet garden areas and Italian-style dining, as well as easy access to Watamu Village. It is also suitable for single travelers and those visiting the coast for the first time who would like shops, cafés, and local attractions all within walking distance rather than having to stay in an isolated resort location.

Families are looked after very well since children of all ages are allowed and the enclosed gardens, children’s pool and playground provide younger guests with room away from the beach. If required, connecting or adjoining rooms can be arranged provided that there are still rooms available, so that parents may keep their children near them while at the same time having separate sleeping areas. Older children might like to go on boat trips, visit the Bio‑Ken Snake Farm and see the Gede Ruins, though some marine excursions may have a minimum age or swimming requirement. Moreover, pets are accepted free of charge upon request.

Important details before booking

• Layout: The main accommodation is located in the gardens. Beachfront restaurants, bars and the sand terrace are across a small road, accessible by a private, secure footbridge.
• Italian character: The resort is managed by an Italian team and primarily serves a European clientele. Announcements, entertainment, and cuisine are strongly influenced by Italian preferences.
• Rainy season: The heaviest rains occur from late April through June; ocean conditions and some excursion schedules can be affected.
• Beach environment: As with most public beaches in Kenya, independent excursion vendors are along the shoreline. Guests in search of a more private experience can relax on the resort’s elevated sand terrace.

Aquarius Club as part of your Kenya safari

The game drives and visits by the coast offer different kinds of experiences; the safaris start early in order to see the wildlife, whereas in Watamu the activities are timed according to the tides and the boat schedules. The resort is most suitable when it forms the second part of a pre-planned itinerary and not as a last-minute inclusion.

Good itineraries start with safari routes in Kenya that take you near the coast; the simplest option is to go to Tsavo East or Tsavo West and then head to Watamu. A two-day safari in Tsavo East might leave Watamu in the morning, involve a game drive in the afternoon, and include an overnight stay at a lodge close to the park. Amboseli can also be included on the coast if it is feasible to do so. After visiting the Maasai Mara, you can take a flight and then transfer to the coast. A 10-day Kenya safari package usually consists of four to six nights inland and three to five nights on the coast, together with some selected excursions. It must be pointed out that wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

In the design of these combinations, we take into account the whole journey, covering parks, flights, road transfers, the length of stay and the pace of the excursions. We choose the most appropriate room for your group, arrange the transfers from either Malindi or Mombasa according to your flight times and the dates on which the safari ends, and suggest excursions that match your schedule so that your time on the beach doesn't become rushed.

Planning your coast journey

For travelers looking for a beach resort with access to a village, a range of marine activities, and a resort atmosphere influenced by Italian culture, the Aquarius Club International Resort is an appropriate option. Should you need to compare different room types, meal plans, or the number of nights you intend to spend on the coast, please get in touch with us prior to making your booking. We arrange your stay, the transfers, and the activities you have selected into a single itinerary.