Malindi has been a Swahili settlement since the 14th century. Once rivaled only by Mombasa for dominance in this part of East Africa, Malindi has traditionally been a port city for foreign powers. In 1414, the town was visited by the fleet of the Chinese explorer Zheng He. Malindi's ruler sent a personal envoy with a giraffe as a present to China on that fleet.

The Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama met Malindi authorities in 1498 to sign a trade agreement and hire a guide for the voyage to India, when he erected a coral pillar. The pillar stands to this day, though there have been calls by conservationists to take care of it, since soil erosion might make the pillar fall into the ocean.

Watamu and Malindi Marine Parks:

These parks were established in 1968 and are the first of their kind in Africa. The ocean blue waters here host a wide variety of corals. Within the coral kingdoms that abound herein, multi-coloured fishes can be seen ducking in and out of this extensive reef. The coral gardens offer spectacular areas for goggling. In these gardens you are bound to see different species of coral fish like the Angelfish, Butterfly fish, Triggerfish and even have an opportunity of watching the Surgeonfish at work. Many glass-bottomed boats to take you for tours in the coral gardens are available. Scuba diving can also be arranged within the hotels.

Gede Ruins
The Gede Ruins are located in Gede off the Malindi-Mombasa Road along the road to Watamu. It dates back to the late 13th century and was abandoned in the early 17th century. The exact reason as to why the town was abandoned is not actually known though it is assumed that the town was plundered and destroyed by unknown invaders in the 17th century. In 1927, the Gede ruins were declared a historic monument and much excavation and preservation work was carried out such that large areas of this ancient town are now revealed, including the pillar tombs, the palace and a great mosque.

Vasco Da Gama Pillar:
The pillar is situated on the seafront road near the jetty. It is accessed from Scorpio Villas or alternatively from the Silversands area. The pillar is one of the oldest remaining monuments in Africa and was built in 1498 by the great Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama as a sign of appreciation for the welcome he was given by the Sultan of Malindi.