Watamu Turtle Watch Season

Watamu on Kenya’s north coast is one of the most important sea turtle nesting sites in East Africa. Each year from October through March, olive ridley and green turtles come ashore at night to lay eggs on the beaches of Watamu Marine National Park and the surrounding coastline. Local conservation organisations have been protecting these nesting sites for decades, and visitors can now join guided night watches to observe nesting turtles and, later in the season, watch hatchlings emerge.

The turtle species

Two species nest regularly at Watamu. Olive ridley turtles are the more common visitors; green turtles are rarer and tend to nest at the same beaches year after year. Hawksbill turtles are occasionally recorded but are not reliable nesters here. The nesting season peaks between December and February, when the highest number of females come ashore.

Joining a turtle watch

Watamu Turtle Watch, run by Local Ocean Conservation, coordinates most of the guided night turtle walks in the area. Rangers patrol the beach from around 7pm and radio in when a nesting turtle is located. Guides then lead small groups to observe the turtle at a safe distance during the nesting process, which takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours from emergence to return to sea. Photography without flash is permitted.

Hatchling releases, when nests are excavated after incubation, are typically arranged in the early mornings and are genuinely remarkable - hundreds of small turtles making their way across the sand to the water simultaneously. These are organised on a schedule that changes based on when nests were laid.

What to expect practically

Turtle watches are not guaranteed encounters - turtles choose their own timing. Some nights produce multiple nestings; others are quiet. We recommend planning two or three nights of watching to improve the chances of seeing a nesting event.

• Season: October to March; peak nesting December to February
• How to book: Contact Local Ocean Conservation directly in Watamu - they coordinate the guided walks and accept visitors without formal advance booking when capacity allows; small groups only
• Price: A conservation donation or small fee applies; check current rates with Local Ocean Conservation
• What to wear: Dark clothing is recommended - bright colours and lights disturb nesting turtles; bring a light layer for the evening
• Where to stay: Watamu has a range of accommodation from budget guesthouses to boutique beach resorts; most are within walking distance of the beach patrol area

The broader Watamu area is worth more than just a turtle watch. The marine park is one of the best snorkelling and diving locations on the Kenyan coast, and Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Kenya’s largest coastal forest, is a short drive away.