- About Kenya

Specials | About | Fishing season | Yellow fever

Kenya's eastern boundary is an unbroken line of blue, an azure strip of ocean lying within the protective shelter of reef.

The coastline of Kenya is a tropical idyll of soft white sands and gentle sea breeze, where the passing of a day is marked by the slow arc of the sun.

The pace of life on the coast is notably slower, languid, more relaxed and at peace with the world.

The turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean brought Kenya's history to exotic life, washing these shores with influences from all over the world.

To explore the coast is to explore history itself, and unwind a fascinating tale written on the winding streets of the 14th Century town of Lamu, or in the bustling dhow docks of Mombassa or the ghostly ruins of Gedi, a deserted city lost deep in the jungle.

Dive beneath these waters and discover an undersea paradise. The coral reefs team with fish, a kaleidoscope of colour and life.

Come ashore to beach resorts and hotels that let you relax and experience this paradise in style and comfort. Lay back and enjoy yourself, or get out and explore. Immerse yourself in a unique coastal culture as rich and rewarding as the local Swahili cuisine.

Step back from the beach and discover expanses of rainforest, game rich river deltas, and much more than you ever expected.

Welcome to the Kenyan coast, take a Beach Safari…

FISHING SEASON KENYA COAST AND FISH TO EXPECT

The main Billfish (Sailfish and Marlin) season runs from November to early April but Sailfish and Black Marlin often come inshore in numbers in August (and this month has been fantastic for Black Marlin these last few years).

Sailfish (known locally as ‘suli suli’) are by far the most numerous of the Billfish they have there.  Finicky and sometimes skittish or playful, they can make a fool of the best of anglers at times, and are very dramatic when not over powered by excessively heavy tackle.  Experienced anglers will know this spectacular acrobat is more fun on light tackle - ask for it!  Pelagic, sails will jump and slither across the surface of the water in a never to be forgotten display.  Relatively easy to bring in when hooked (that’s the tricky part) the Sailfish is a milestone in any anglers’ early fishing experience.

There is a run of Sail just outside Watamu around August, while the main season off Malindi, a few miles north of the hotel, runs November to March.  The Sail fishing is as good as almost anywhere in the world; four to six to the boat quite normal, with our best at twenty-three, all released!

 Black Marlin come closer to shore and is often encountered in very shallow water.  The buffalo of the species, this guy is tough.  If you haven’t done your homework he’ll find you out and be gone.  Often fighting deep, using his pectoral fins to hold him down in the water they are worthy adversaries (especially little ones!).  Medium size Blacks can be expected around August/September, but the main season is from December to mid/late March. 

Big Yellowfin tuna (up to 200 lbs.) migrate past here between August and November (and sometimes come back again) and the ‘schoolie’ small Yellowfin are around virtually year round.  Very strong fish and, with a big one being a good test of character, Yellowfin always give a powerful performance, invariably going deep.

Giant trevally (locally known as Karambesi) of World record size is here but has yet to be boated under the very strict IFGA regulation.  Usually caught on live bait using down riggers.

Wahoo are renowned for their searing first run (being one of the fastest fish in the sea) and when there are a lot of them around, chaos reigns as lines are cut all over the place by fish striking at terminal tackle moving through the water.

Kingfish will often chop up bait or two just behind the hook before you get one but make up for it by being excellent table fare.  Dorado (known here as Falusi) comes streaking across to your lures, iridescent with all the colours of the rainbow as they take to the air when feeling the hook.  Fabulous light tackle fish and great eating (but rich) when prepared on the day of catch.

Skipjack, Kawakawa and others of tuna descent swim in shoals surrounding and forcing small baitfish to the surface, making it boil and giving their position away

Please note:
(The following was correct as of Nov 2005 - please remember to check for updates)