Vasco da Gama Pillar

The voyage of Vasgo da Gama in 1498 changed centuries of trade and is one of the most historically significant voyages of all time, being the first European trade ship to round the cape of Good Hope and so reach East Africa in search of the fabled spice islands.  He landed in Malindi and picked up a ships pilot who guided him to India on the monsoon winds. The monument is just on the edge of town.

Originally built by Vasco Da Gama to commemorate his visit to Malindi outside the Ruling Sheikh’s Palace, it  was removed by the Muslims due to the Christian connotations. This monument is one of the oldest remaining early European monuments in Africa. It was moved to its current location by Christian monks in the 16th Century.

Watamu is barely a village and the attraction of the area is a series of scalloped beaches fronted by coral rock islands that create lovely scenic ocean views. This is home to a string of holiday hotels, and sparkling swimming pools. Watamu is also home to many deep sea fishing boats and a superb national marine park. As in Mombasa and Malindi, the tarmac beach road is not next to the beach but set back some distance. None of Kenya’s beach hotels have a road in front of them and all provide direct access onto the beach.