Luxury Kenyan Beaches
When you just think of Kenya, you most likely have visions of the ever-dramatic Wildebeest Migration and classic Big Cat safaris. While this holds true, the country is also home to exotic Kenya’s beaches which are a great add-on to a safari holiday in the country, and a bucket list holiday destination in their own right – offering the perfect break after a long, hot, and dusty safari.
Kenyan coastline; this is where you’ll find Kenya’s pristine and endless stretches of white sand beaches fringed with palm trees and rich in marine life. In addition, Kenya’s coastal area is dotted with twisting mangrove-lined channels shaded by elegant palms, where the vibrant colours of the tropics seamlessly merge with the sparkling turquoise of the Indian Ocean.
Discover on walks through some of the coastal towns like Mombasa and Lamu, and prepare to be taken back in time as you discover the mixture of African, Persian, the Arabian trade, and Portuguese influences. Explore the vibrant local markets, taste the flavours of Swahili cuisine, as you enjoy these best beaches.
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Kenya Beach Holiday Highlights
Snorkeling, fishing and diving to see dolphins and sea turtles.
Warm, tropical Indian Ocean waters.
Explore Mombasa’s historic Old Town.
Visit the exotic Diani Beach.
Enjoy the beautiful, traditional Swahili culture.
Sunset dhow excursions and glass bottomed boat trips.
Excellent wildlife safari and beach holidays.
Watersports – best water-based activities on the Kenyan coast.
Kenyan Coast Safari Experiences
Traveling to the Kenyan coast is a popular way to finish off your wildlife safari around the country. If you’re planning your beach holiday in Kenya, the Kenyan tropical coastline offers a chain of long stretches of white sand beaches, warm turquoise waters, rich marine life, coral reefs, top of the class skydiving in Diani beach, active beach water-sport adventures, indulgent cuisines and again it’s a melting pot of cultural tours showcasing all manner of influences from Africans, Persians, the Arabian trade, and Portuguese.
It’s not hard to see why the Kenyan Coast is a popular beach holiday destination, attracting travelers from all walks of life. Most travelers, go for Kenya tours that combines some of Kenya’s best beaches with a classic Big Five (5) Kenya safari destination. Kenya beach holidays checks all the boxes from sun-soaked white sand beaches, bird-filled coastal forests, and gloriously luxury beach resorts perfect for honeymooners and multi-generation family beach holidays in Kenya.
What’s more, getting to the Kenyan Coast is very easy after a safari. You can fly either directly from the Maasai Mara or have a short stopover in Nairobi before taking an hour’s flight to the Kenyan coast. Both Diani and Lamu have their own airports, but Watamu beach and Malindi are each about an hour’s drive from the airport closest to them.
Best Places For Beach Holidays In Kenya
Offering an appealing blend of exotic beach experiences, it’s most likely you are still wondering where to relax your head after finishing your big game safari tour, or desperately looking for the best safari & beach holiday combinations as you plan your family trip to Africa or beach wedding trip in Africa. Likewise, this might be the case for both honeymooners and couples looking to balance their safari adventure. Allow us uncover for you some of the best places to visit for beach holidays in Kenya
The main access to the Kenyan coast by air, rail and road is through Mombasa, a coastal city in southeastern Kenya along the Indian Ocean, flanked by some luxury beaches, including Diani, Nyali and Bamburi. There are also plenty of other Kenya beach-vacation options elsewhere along the coast, in Watamu, Malindi and Lamu Archipelago. Listed below we introduce you to 10 of the best beaches in Kenya, this is also where to go for Kenya beach holidays, what to do & expect at each:
1. Diani Beach Holidays - A tropical paradise
Start off with Diani – otherwise known as Kenya’s very own ‘Maldives’ paradise. Remember, Diani has been consistently voted as being one of Africa’s leading beach destinations. In addition, Diani Beach stands out as one of the best beach water sports destinations in the whole of East Africa. All sorts of activities are possible here, from Kayaking, jet-skiing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, paddleboarding and scuba-diving – whatever your skill level, and age we promise you’ll find lots of experiences and things to do at Diani.
2. Watamu Beach Packages - Best known for snorkeling and scuba diving
Coconut filled palm trees, soft white sand, and soothing warm water, Watamu Beach features as Kenya’s other perfect destination to wind up after a safari adventure in Kenya. You will remember its coral gardens for its over 250 fish species, its Marine Park, excellent boating activities, and coral heads. Similarly, snorkelling and diving enthusiasts can make Watamu the central point of their adventure to Kenya. Other additional activities include skydiving, beach sports, snorkeling, sea diving, surfboarding, and surfing.
3. Malindi Beach Packages - Best known for its nightlife and water sports
Still popular with Europeans, (in details – the likes of Italians). Malindi is famed for coral reefs that lie just 1,000 feet off its shore, best seen at Malindi National Marine Park or nearby Watamu. The beach is popular with game fishing, kite surfing and other related active water sport activities. Malindi promises lots of shopping opportunities, plenty of fairways for golf fanatics, as well as casinos, restaurants, bars and nightclubs that usually stay open until the first light of dawn. Additionally, Malindi also boasts a lot of luxury Kenya beach hotels in other secluded areas.
4. Lamu Archipelago - Best known for culture and luxury
Lamu Island, a UNESCO-listed destination since 2001 and a centre of Swahili and Islamic culture for over 700 years, is the most popular and most developed of the islands with its luxury hotels having gained a reputation for delivering excellent ‘barefoot luxury’ experience. Expect exotic beaches, dazzling coral reefs, a wealth of activities, great cuisine and friendly, discreet service while on a Lamu holiday tour. Additionally, wander along endless sandy shores, the sun kissing your skin or embark on a traditional sunset dhow boat, gliding through turquoise waters.
5. Chale Beach (Chale Island) – Unwind in luxury
There’s so much to love about Chale Beach on Chale Island, from the dense mangrove forest that cover much of this tropical island providing a lush hideout for all sorts of native wildlife. Chale Beach is completely secluded, away from the crowds and blends effortlessly with an abundance of natural beauty with a luxury accommodation filled with lots of mouth-watering dining options for the foodies. Chale also offers bucket-list water sport activities that allows you to connect with nature, leaving you craving memories to last a lifetime. To sum up, enjoy your beach holiday retreat in Kenya’s Chale Island against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean.
6. Galu Kinondo Beach – Where luxury lives
On the South Coast of Kenya lies Galu Beach – home to some of the best luxury beach accommodations in Kenya, Galu joins the list as one of the most exclusive and pristine beaches of the Kenyan coast. About your stay here, enjoy the tasteful Swahili dishes, and relax in well served Kenyan beach villas; expect much of the same in terms of quality of sand and sea in Galu, with some of the best all-inclusive beach hotels in Kenya. An additional highlight of your trip to Galu beach is visiting the Kaya Kinondo Sacred Forest, explore more of its background and both cultural and historical significance of the forest.
7. Shanzu & Bamburi Beach – Much of shorter beach holidays
Amongst the list of the most popular beaches in Kenya, Shanzu and Bamburi are next-door beaches that cover more than 5km/3mi south of Mtwapa Creek. Their setting is somewhat suburban, but the beaches are thoroughly serene, and great for swimming at high tide.
Located 10km north of central Mombasa City, sits Shanzu Beach; a small slice of picture-postcard perfection where young families, and romantic couples soak up in what we seemingly refer to as the endless days of fun in the sun. The crystalline turquoise water gently laps at powdery white sand and swaying palm trees provide natural shade.
The list of things to do here include: Windsurfing; diving and snorkeling trips into Mombasa Marine National Park & Reserve; wining and dining at a scattering of classy seaside restaurants – providing endless opportunities for marine life adventures or just soaking up the sun from the comfort of your boutique Kenya beach resorts.
In the case of best places to stay; there exists at least a dozen all-inclusive beach hotels in both Shanzu and Bamburi.
8. Kilifi Beach - Best for cultural experiences
Located approximately 70 kilometers north of Mombasa; unlike some of the more touristy beaches, Kilifi beach offers a more relaxed and unhurried coastal holiday vacation. In addition to the beach, the town has some top attractions, such as the Mnarani ruins which dates back to the 14th century; it incorporates Kenya’s largest baobab tree and the well-preserved ruins of a medieval Swahili trade port.
This small Creekside town is fringed by a gorgeous palm-lined tropical beach that still remains relatively unknown to travelers planning beach vacation tours in Kenya.
Some of the things to do in Kilifi Beach includes: good swimming opportunities at high tide and Marine life excursions.
9. Gazi Beach – Home to nature walks
Tucked 45km south of Mombasa, Gazi’s northern part of the bay supports one of southern Kenya’s largest mangrove swamps, while the eastern shore is lined by an attractive and relatively undeveloped swimming beach. Even more stunning is the small beach on Chale, though this is reserved only for the guests sleeping at the island’s only lodge.
The list of things to do in Gazi beach include the following: in addition to the usual active beach watersport activities, Gazi is home to a mangrove boardwalk run by a local community women’s group. Here you can see six species of mangrove tree, the amphibious mudskipper fish and the dazzling mangrove kingfisher. The sleepy Swahili fishing village of Gazi runs down to a beautiful bay sheltered by a narrow peninsula that ends at Chale Island.
10. Nyali Beach – Good with travelers out of travel time
Located only 3km north of central Mombasa City, Nyali Beach is often crowded at weekends and holidays but although fairly narrow, the sand is white and the palms offer some good shade. Being the closest beach to Mombasa Island, Nyali is an attractive goal for short day trips in Mombasa. Some of the things to do at Nyali include the following: local points of interest include Nyali Golf and Country Club, which is the country’s only 18-hole course, and you can swim here until the tide is more than halfway out, but the high tide can almost cover the beach – which means, that bodyboarding is sometimes possible when the waves come in over the reef.
Kenyan Coast Marine Wildlife Sightings
When it comes to marine wildlife sightings in Kenyan coastal beaches; whether you want to observe the area’s spectacular sea creatures underwater or from the shore, our expert guides reveal the typical marine life, as well as the endemic mammal and bird species, to expect in this ocean paradise.
The Kenyan coastline offer outstanding marine wildlife sightings throughout the year, and below we share some of the notable marine wildlife that you can spot during your beach vacation in Kenya. They include the following;
-Whale Shark, Puffer Fish, Loggerhead Turtle, Humpback Whale, Hawksbill Turtle, Coral, Bottlenose Dolphin & Barracuda
Must-See Attractions In Mombasa Beach
Lying on Kenya’s sun-drenched Indian Ocean coast is Mombasa Beach, home to East Africa’s largest port where many of the holiday cruise ships docks. Served by Moi International Airport (MBA), situated on the city’s mainland – this is where you will fly into and out of during your beach holiday in Kenya.
Famous for its seafood, Mombasa is a very interesting city to explore. Some of the must-see attractions includes a city tour to the UNESCO – listed site; Fort Jesus, constructed by the Portuguese between 1593 and 1596 to guard the productive port ; elsewhere you can wander the modern streets of Mombasa, explore its winding alleys of the ‘Old Town’ in search of souvenirs and ancient architecture, discover the 24-hour entertainment outlets, visit the waterparks, go scuba diving at the nearby Mombasa Marine National Park and take a view at the famous Mombasa Tusks – built to commemorate the visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1952.
What’s more, just few kilometers from Mombasa town lies the popular Amboseli Park and Tsavo National Park – perfect for anyone looking to easily combine a short wildlife safari with a longer beach stay on Kenya’s coastline, or you can alternatively combine the daytrip tours in Mombasa with safaris at Masai Mara Park; surely there is plenty to enjoy.
Best Time To Visit Kenya For A Beach Holiday
Looking forward to visit the Kenyan coast? Well, the best time to visit Kenya for a beach holiday tour is from October to January, now is the best time to visit Kenya’s beaches & Islands, more so during November. This period is usually considered the best time to visit Kenya’s beaches, since these months not only offer the perfect conditions for diving and snorkeling but also offer the rare opportunity to swim with whale sharks. If this is your plan, then pay a visit to the coast of Kenya between October and April, as the best whale shark sightings occur between January and March.
There is a chance of rain on the coast throughout the year though, and the country is at its wettest and hottest during the mid-March to late May rainy season.
Still dwelling on when to visit Kenya’s Indian Ocean coastline, remember that the beaches can be visited all year-round since it is generally humid and hot all year round.
Kenyan Beach Vacation FAQs
We’ve taken our time to answer everything you may need to know about going for Kenyan beach vacations. Therefore if it’s your first time safari in Kenya, this will serve you well.
With endless golden beaches, crystal clear blue waters and some of the best water sport activities – Kenyan beaches offer more than enough.
As to where to stay on the Kenyan coast, the accommodation options in Kenya’s beach destinations cater to many different travelers. Whether you seek to explore the best of Kenya luxury beach resorts, boutique hotels, or cozy beach cottages, you’ll find a variety of choices.
Find the best accommodations along the Kenya Coast that cater for everyone from good family-friendly beach resorts to solo travelers, offering luxury and unrivalled beachfront views, there is plenty to suit all tastes, budgets and trip types. Whether you’re looking for an intimate oceanic beach honeymoons in Kenya, a classic safari and beach combination holiday, or have other plans in mind, our selection of Kenyan Beach accommodations is sure to inspire you and will make planning your Kenya holiday so much simpler. Where to Go for a Kenya Beach Holiday
With that in mind, these are the best places to stay for a Kenya Beach Holiday;
- Hemingways Watamu.
- Alfajiri Villas.
- The Majlis.
- Almanara Botique Hotel.
- Kinondo Kwetu.
- Swahili Beach Resort.
- The Maji Beach Botique Hotel.
The Kenyan coast offers its fair share of hotels to suit all budgets and interests. Plan your trip and discover the best Kenya beach holiday accommodation today.
Yes! Kenyan beaches are safe. However, as with anywhere in the world/country you are visiting, things can always change. Please see Government Foreign Travel Advice for up to date information and advice.
But if you’re worried about safety in general, don’t be. Just be sensible: don’t walk around empty (or sketchy) neighborhoods in Nairobi or Mombasa, don’t go out alone after dark pretty much anywhere. Avoid deserted beaches (especially after dark). Get your accommodation to arrange a taxi for you or book an Uber if you want to go out at night. Ask at your hotel if there is anything you should know about the area you’re in and pay attention to yourself and your things when you’re out and about.
About medicine for safaris to Kenyan beaches, Kenya requires yellow fever vaccines for those who have travelled from yellow fever epidemic areas – so if you have just finished a safari in Kenya, don’t forget to bring along proof of vaccination.
The Kenya coast offers a tranquil relaxation after your safari. The best activities at Kenyan beaches include a host of marine activities such as snorkeling trips, scuba diving, deep-see fishing, sailing, wind-surfing, kite-surfing, paddle boarding and kayaking.
In addition, Dolphins are seen often close to shore, and it is even possible to witness humpback whales breaching out at sea between August and October.
Last but not least, there is also the Deep-sea fishing which is particularly good between November and March.
What’s good about the Kenyan Coast is that it offers a myriad of beach holiday activities that showcase a whole new side of this amazing country, allowing you to explore in unexpected ways from kitesurfing to boat rides in traditional dhows.
The currency used in the Kenya beaches is mostly the Kenyan Shilling. Most tourism services charge US dollars, and they also accept credit cards at most properties. Many vendors do not accept American Express, so it would be better to travel with either Visa or MasterCard. They generally accept traveller’s cheques and cash at hotels and Bureau de Changes. USD is the preferred currency.
If you plan on taking cash, make sure you take large bills (e.g. $50 or $100) as these, for some unknown reason, always get a better rate. Don’t go running to that first Bureau you see at the airport, as these, along with the hotels and resorts, usually have the worst exchange rate. If you are planning to take a taxi into town, pay the fare in USD and go to a bureau in town. There are many all over town. Try to negotiate a better rate – you never know.
Choosing between Zanzibar and Kenya’s beaches; both offer incredible crystal-clear waters, soft white sand and lush accommodation.
Kenya’s beaches are better for those after the lavish criteria above, alongside the option for incredible wildlife and best beach water sports. From scuba diving to deep-sea fishing, wind-surfing and more. It’s really for travellers wanting a adrenaline rush beach experience, although you could easily spend the days on the sand revelling in the coastal charm.
Zanzibar’s beaches are more low key in terms of the activities on offer. Focusing more on snorkelling and scuba diving, exploring the coral reefs, and then coming back on land to lounge beneath the palm trees.
Explore more of our month-by-month weather guide on the best time travelling to Kenyan beaches;
June To September
Popular activities involve swimming with the Whale Sharks, characterized with warm and dry days.
Kenyan Beaches In June – The climate of the Kenyan coast in June welcomes the start of the dry season across the country and the beaches of Kenya can enjoy sunny weather, especially in Diani Beach, Mombasa and Lamu but expect some occasional rain showers. Moreover, expect a lesser number of tourist crowds during this particular month, meaning you can enjoy a quieter atmosphere during your stay.
Kenyan Beaches In July – The month of July is cooler along the coast of Kenya. Popular places like Watamu Beach and Diani Beach are famous for sunbathing and fantastic water sports during this time. Additionally, you will experience warm temperatures. Conditions are perfect for long days, busking in the sun and exploring, maybe on a romantic Diani honeymoon trip.
Kenyan Beaches In August – the climate in August is a great time for a coastal vacation and the best time to visit Kenya beaches if you wish to spot the whale sharks. The whale sharks’ breeding season starts during this month. Additionally, the humpback whale migration starts off at Kenya’s coast. For this, you will have to travel to Watamu Beach, the best place to visit for whale watching in Kenyan beaches; it’s also a good time for snorkelling and diving activities.
Kenyan Beaches In September – the month of September welcomes spring time in Kenyan beaches. The weather is pleasant, but expect the coast to be extremely hot particularly the southern beaches, parts of Malindi and Mombasa. This month also marks the peak of Kenya safari tours, expect a busy safari season at this time of year if you are planning a beach vacation to Kenya.
October To January
The Kenyan coastline experiences a warm weather, calm seas and clear skies, good for active water sport activities. The Mombasa Carnival takes place.
Kenyan Beaches In October – planning on visiting the Kenyan beaches in October; beware October is the start of the short rainy season, but again, it’s the start of fantastic beach holiday weather in Kenya. Enjoy the warm weather during this particular month.
Kenyan Beaches In November – speaking of November, this is one of the best time to go on a beach vacation in Kenya. Discover lots of cultural activities in the Kenyan beaches with the annual Mombasa Carnival, the biggest carnival on the country’s calendar which is filled with music, dancing, and decorative costumes, bringing more life to the beaches of Mombasa. You can plan your visit to Kenya’s Indian Ocean islands and beaches and experience a good time during this period.
Kenyan Beaches In December – off to December; December is a festive time of year, and it’s not just peak safari season for tourists but also another best time to visit Kenya for a beach holiday vacation. The weather is warm, the skies are much clearer, presenting one of the best opportunities for snorkeling and other water sport activities. Fun fact, Kenya is one of the most popular destinations for snorkeling.
Kenyan Beaches In January – during the month of January, Kenya is hot. At the coastal beaches, the days are warm, the climate much more favorable, and the ocean visibility is at its clearest making this another good time to visit the best Kenya beaches for a vacation.
February To May
The months of February to mid-March still offer excellent opportunities to explore the Kenyan beaches. Comfortably book tours to Diani Beach, Watamu Beach, Mombasa and Lamu Island and you will find an excellent climate for your stay.
Kenyan Beaches In February – with February being the last month of summer in Kenya, just before the long rainy season begins in mid-March, it’s an ideal time to visit the coast of Kenya for a beach holiday. Expect warm and sunny weather through February – bring with you a sunscreen. As for the things to do and see, for divers and snorkellers, this is a good time to swim with whale sharks and encounter large marine life like giant manta rays, dolphins, turtles and various other species of shark while on a dive in Kenya’s clear waters.
Kenyan Beaches In March – change in weather will be felt as from mid-March with the arrival of the ‘long rains’, although the days remain hot and humid, especially on the coast.
Kenyan Beaches In April – Expect many lodges to close during this period, while those that remain open will offer cheap safari rates and offers. Rainfall along the Kenyan beaches tends to arrive in short showers in the late afternoon and it can be unpleasant on the beaches. This might not be a good time to visit Kenya’s tropical beaches. These months are considered the low safari seasons. The rain affects visibility in the water, creating unfavorable conditions beach water sports in Kenya.
Kenyan Beaches In May – Expect many lodges to close during this period, while those that remain open will offer cheap safari rates and offers. May is another wet month in Kenyan coast. Expect reduced visibility in the ocean and fewer sunshine hours. These month is considered a low safari seasons in Kenya.
Yes! Kenya has plenty of beaches – in fact Kenya has some of the best beaches in Africa. The likes of Diani beach have been voted over and over again as the best in Africa.
Simply put, on your safari holiday to Kenyan coastal beaches, when it comes at the list of things to do in the coast, the options are endless; combining a foodie getaway with laid-back luxury Kenyan beach accommodations to water sports. Likewise, a honeymoon in Kenyan beaches promises endless romance complete with a touch of luxury. As mentioned above, explore more on our complete guide to the best beaches in Kenya, the best Malindi and Watamu beach holidays, to the central coast, Mombasa and Diani beach holidays.
Kenya Safari & Beach Tours
Browse our favorite Kenyan beach holiday packages or simply get in touch with one of our Africa safari experts to help custom-make a Kenyan beach holiday that matches your travel wishes. You can enjoy safaris in Kenya national parks on the mainland, then follow it up with a relaxed beach holiday at Malindi or Diani. Get to know the coastal Kenya, and what’s possible on your trip to these Indian Ocean beaches, discover some of the best-loved experiences and safari routes that we’ve found working particularly well with our travelers.
Kenya Beach Safari Packages
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Ready To Plan A Beach Safari In Kenya?
Browse our selection of beach holidays to Kenya, or get in touch with one of our African safari experts to help tailor-make the best itinerary for you.