Morning (Mida Creek Exploration):
Mida Creek Board Walk & Birdwatching (8:30 AM - 10:30 AM): After breakfast, head to Mida Creek, a vast tidal inlet fringed by mangrove forests, part of the Watamu Marine National Park & Reserve. Explore the suspended boardwalk through the mangroves. This is an excellent spot for birdwatching, with numerous resident and migratory bird species, including flamingos, herons, and various waders.
Canoeing/Kayaking in Mida Creek (Optional): For a more immersive experience, you can hire a canoe or kayak and paddle through the calm mangrove channels, getting closer to the aquatic life and birds.
Late Morning (Gede Ruins - Historical Exploration):
Gede Ruins (11:00 AM - 1:00 PM): A short drive from Watamu, visit the fascinating Gede Ruins, the remains of a 12th to 17th-century Swahili town hidden in the coastal forest. Explore the well-preserved ruins of houses, mosques, and a palace, and learn about the mysterious abandonment of the city. The forest around the ruins is also home to various bird species and Sykes' monkeys.
Lunch (1:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Have lunch at a local restaurant near Gede or return to Watamu.
Afternoon (Choose Your Interest):
Option A: Watamu Turtle Watch / Bio-Ken Snake Farm:
Watamu Turtle Watch: Visit the local turtle rehabilitation center to learn about their conservation efforts for endangered sea turtles. You might see rescued turtles or even newly hatched ones (seasonal).
Bio-Ken Snake Farm: For those interested in reptiles, visit East Africa's largest snake farm. It's a research center and produces anti-venom. You can see a wide variety of snake species and learn about them.
Option B: Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve: Take a guided nature walk into the Arabuko Sokoke Forest, the largest coastal forest in East Africa. It's renowned for its unique and rare bird species, and you might also spot various small mammals like golden-rumped elephant shrews, red-bellied coast squirrels, and different types of duikers.
Option C: Relaxation / Shopping: Spend the afternoon relaxing by your hotel pool, enjoying a spa treatment, or doing some souvenir shopping in Watamu village.
Evening (Farewell Dinner & Leisure):
Enjoy a farewell dinner at a different restaurant or revisit a favorite spot. You might find places with live music or local entertainment.