Safari blå

If you are expecting the blue Safari in August from the Instagram photos, forget about it! We got hyped up by the fact that it was a full-sea experience and in fact it was not. They leave you many meters from the coral reef because the ocean is rough, a tremendous monsoon wind blows in August and therefore it is inaccessible. The sea is not clear because of the waves and you see very few fish and also consider that the water is much colder than what we are used to in the Mediterranean. The phantom sea excursion continues with a visit to a small island with mangroves (undoubtedly wonderful) and they make you stay there for more than 2 hours and 30 minutes, then you have to head back towards Garoda. They stop for 30 minutes and if you are lucky enough that the high tide is not strong, you manage to take a quick dip, otherwise forget it. It is NOT an experience with a balanced price-quality ratio or one that is worthwhile, at least for us who relied on Libero, €80 versus the €55/60 of the beach boys. We recommend Fragola or Lucky, with prices that are decidedly more honest and in line with what is actually offered.

Here I am rewriting the umpteenth review about my experience with excursions in Kenya and with Kenya in general. I will therefore separate the experience itself from the economic/qualitative aspect. I assume that, regardless of the tour operator or the local contact with whom you have negotiated the excursion, regardless of the price you paid and the deal you think you got, you will end up in a bay of the Watamu Marine National Park, where several boats are anchored. The bay in question (for which you can find my review with photos) was literally covered in seaweed and trash, not exactly the calling card I would have expected, and not what I see in other photos. The beach boys offer a convenient child transport service to avoid contact with all of that. I would recommend extending the service to adults. I am not picky about seaweed and it doesn't cause me any problems, but the trash was truly excessive. Jokes aside, after being boarded together with another 15/20 people (I didn't see any private boats), you set off. After a boat ride of about 30-45 minutes, there is a snorkeling stop. The boats offer masks and snorkels, and you swim in very clear waters, frequented by many species of fish that will swim in close contact with you. A somewhat delicate situation if you are in the presence of other boats, since the currents will push you and you need to be careful not to end up between two boats. You set off again, perhaps another 20-30 minutes in the direction of a heavenly beach, I believe it is Turtle Bay Beach. We found a total absence of seaweed, white sand, crystal-clear water, and a completely sandy seabed all the way to the shore. An ideal place for a short swim but also for longer stays. Not many fish, spotted a few rays. You set off again, to enter a bay (Mida Creek) where you can admire and sail along the mangroves. Depending on the tide, there is a stop at the sandbars that emerge from the water, then sailing to the nearby Catapilla Island (which I don't think is a real island). Here you will find benches, tables, and guys busy preparing lunch based on white rice and roasted tuna, shrimp, and lobster (or rather, half a portion of lobster per person). Temper your enthusiasm because everything is extremely rationed: forget the binges documented by social media and influencers, because I saw something completely different. My son, who had initially opted for the chicken (with the excursion cost unchanged), wanted to try the lobster, but there was no way to get it. Our local guide tried to convince them, insisting quite a bit, and it seemed she had succeeded. After 20 minutes they returned with a skewer with 3 shrimp, saying that the lobster was finished. I didn't appreciate it, also because the lobster was right there. I understand that the mistake was ours, but a chicken leg doesn't cost the same as tuna, shrimp, and lobster... however, I would have even been willing to pay the difference. Soft drinks are included, but if you want a (local) beer, you will get it for the modest price of 5 euros (non-negotiable). The lunch also offers expensive additional services: a surprise for the guests, coffee with a Moka pot! But trust me, the real surprise will be the price, which I won't reveal here! Later, according to the tour operator, for an additional 2-3 euros you could pay for a boat ride through the mangroves. Well, once we arrived at the location, the price became 8 euros per person, with little room for negotiation, for canoes holding 4-5 people at most. Okay, we paid, and we ended up in a boat with 8 people for a disappointing and expensive ride. I don't know, all the excursions (check my reviews) in Kenya have left a bitter taste in my mouth. The strong hospitality and friendliness of the local people is always conditioned on large expenditures, and in exchange for minimal services that persist only because they rely on the natural aspect of the matter, which will be present and essential regardless of the excursion you take. I mean, on a public beach, a mixed grilled fish platter for two people has an average cost of 30 euros (lobsters included); the sea is everywhere; snorkeling too. Why should I pay 80 euros for a blue safari? It is certainly not an excursion I would do again, and I don't even feel like recommending it if it were your first time. Look for the same individual experiences elsewhere.

Fantastic experience, friendly and kind staff! Excellent food! Recommended

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Unforgettable experience at Blue Safari! My day with the Blue Safari was just fantastic! 🌊🐬 We left Watamu in the morning and sailed on a traditional dhow boat to the blue lagoon. The water was crystal clear and we could snorkel among many colorful fish and corals. Lunch on the sandy island was delicious — lobster, fresh fish and tropical fruit served in a relaxed atmosphere. The staff was very kind, always smiling and ready to help us in everything. I highly recommend this excursion to those visiting Watamu or Malindi: it is an experience that combines nature, relaxation and fun!

HAD THE BEST EXPERIENCES ON THIS TRIP,ATE LOTS OF SEAFOOD.THAT WAS MEMORABLE WOULDNT HESITATE GOING TO SAFARI BLUE ANYDAY

I agree with the other reviewer that said if you’re not Italian you are largely ignored - - this was our experience too. Way too many boats / people. Booked through Goggleboat but ended up with these guys. Snorkelling was actually really good. But only lasted one hour. Quick stop at Garoda beach which was completely packed with boats and people. Final stop is the island where 50-60 people stop for the lunch (which is not bad). The fruit ran out before we got any. Beers you pay extra. The canoe ride is not worth it. Again addressed almost exclusively in Italian so we learned nothing. Our canoe had water in the bottom which you’re expected to sit in. The canoes left late so we missed the dance at the end. The boat crew then sing to you for tips on the way home. Three stars (2.5) for the snorkelling but would have liked more of that. And more information on our surroundings.

We are yet to see this unfold, it may surprise all of us but hold on we got time to wait too or as well. Wow it's a miracle to experience than regret.

+28

Blue safari with boat trip and spectacular beach lunch Our guide Alfred gave us a wonderful experience with swimming boat trip and snorkling in the open sea Lunch on the beach with fresh fish cooked on the grill, rice, fruit ... all delicious And finally canoe ride in the mangroves Thanks to Alfred always precise and punctual!!! Topppp!!!!

+1

We did the BLUE SAFARI excursion with MIMMO SHAIBU KENYA SAFARI EXCURSIONS to Watamu and saw wonderful beaches like Garoda and Mida Creek. Unfortunately, the organization had a miseducational and unseemly behavior when it carried live fish and starfish in its mouth or when it danced on the beach with some tourists with starfish attached to their bodies. Bad experience.

We were very disappointed with this family outing. The diving spot was poor (few fish, lots of divers and very close boats, lots of seaweed...). We made several similar outings in other African and international countries and the one in Kenya was the worst and most expensive.... On the other hand no tasting or drink on board the boat is a shame to keep waiting because the latter sails very very slowly surely to make last... The show of the “traditional village” is not worth a visit just a dance. Luckily the meal was good to compensate a little.