VISAS: Single entry visa costs US$50 upon arrival. More information can be found in this guide. CURRENCY: Kenya Shilling (KES) or USD and EUR PRICES: Beer 250 KES (€1.50- 3) Food: Lunch 300-1500 KES (€3- 10) Accommodation: €30-100 pp Kite Lessons: 6H €300 Kite Gear rental: €70 per day LANGUAGE: Swahili INTERNET: Offered in most accommodations, but the signal can be weak. We recommend getting a Local SIM card. TRAVEL ADVICE: Not many cash exchange points, recommended withdrawing KES at the cash machines at the airport. Check this Lonely Planet guide for detailed health and insurance advise while traveling to Watamu, Kenya. TEMPERATURE: Kenya enjoys a tropical climate. It is hot and humid at the coast; the air temperature can reach 36°C / 97°F and more in the summer months. The average water temperature range from 25-30°C / 77-86°F throughout the year. There is plenty of sunshine all year round, only summer clothes are necessary; neoprene wetsuits are not needed, but good protection from the sun is highly recommended.

NEAREST TOWN: Watamu NEAREST CITY: Malindi NEAREST AIRPORT: Mombasa (MBA) 2.5H or Nairobi (NBO) 1H for International flights or Malindi (MYD) 30min for the flights from Kenya. Once at the airport, you will need to take a taxi, ask your accommodation provider to organise a reputable transfer (some are included in the travel package of the Hotel). Most accommodations are at the beachfront or walking distance to the beach. GETTING AROUND: Everything is easy to reach with local tuk-tuks for around 250KES, but for more exploring it would be easier to rent a car (ask your hotel or accommodation provider for a recommendation).

The windy season is split into two, providing trade winds from December to April (known as the Kaskazi), and Kuzi, which after the few rainy months starts from May and stays till September. On the day the wind tends to be lighter in the morning as and gradually increase till about mid-day and lasts till the evening. The Kaskhazi blows from the North/North East (cross-onshore from the left) at around 10-22 knots, most days between 14-20 knots, increasing in the afternoon with flat water and a little chop. Mostly used kites 15m-10m. The Kuzi blows from the South/Southeast (cross-onshore from the right) and with the stronger wind days can bring the heavy chop with swells, The Kuzi is the stronger of the two and blows most days between 12-28 knots but averages between 15-20 knots. Calmer in the morning and gets typically stronger after lunch, most used kites 14m-8m. WIND DIRECTIONS: N, NE, E, SE, S WINDIEST MONTHS: High Season: January, February, July, August. Mid Season - March, June, September, December.

There are no such rules, just a common sense - the beach area is relatively large but very dependant on tides. In the high tide, there is not much beach to launch the kite as you get too close to the buildings, that can cause turbulent wind, and in the low tide, some parts of the lagoon can be quite shallow. Also, there is no safety boat or lifeguard at the spot so make sure you don't go too far from the beach if you are not comfortable with swimming for a long distance. Hazards - other beach users; fishing boats; seaweed farms with a base of sea urchin colonies. *If you need kite related service like kite repairs, lessons or beach assistance it is recommended to choose resorts that provide these services. ** We always recommend seeking additional knowledge about the spot from local kite school and qualified instructors.