Top 10 Places To Visit Along the Kenya Coast.

Kenya’s Indian Ocean coastline is among the most stunning in Africa, spanning 1,420 km/880 mi from the country’s northern border with Somalia to Tanzania’s southern border. Islands, coral reefs, beach resorts, and historic spice-trading towns are dotted along its shore, where life flows at a leisurely, tropical pace.

There is more to the Kenyan coast than just knowing where to go. Another exciting and very active place to visit is the Kenyan coastline, where you can go diving or snorkeling, cruise the coast in a dhow (a traditional wooden sailboat), or just unwind on the beach. A holy forest, a park with elephants, and historic ruins can all be found just inland from the water’s edge.

June through October are the best months to go because of the cooler weather, less rain, and excellent kitesurfing conditions; October through March or April are the best months for diving and snorkeling.

 

1. The Beach at Diani

Diani Beach is still a fantastic destination even though it is the most popular beach resort town on the Kenyan coast. Diani Beach is just amazing, offering great lodging options for every budget, more water sports and aquatic activities than any other coastal town, and a long, beautiful arc of sand. In addition to the sacred grove of Kaya Kinondo, you can try other neighboring beaches like Tiwi or Takaungu.

Where to stay: Excellent hostels for backpackers and even better boutique beach hotels (like Elewana AfroChic Diani Beach or The Maji Beach Boutique Hotel).
Activities include water sports, kitesurfing, diving, snorkeling, and boat trips.
How to get there: Air travel from Nairobi or a two-hour drive from Mombasa (including a brief car ferry ride)

 

2. Mombasa

Mombasa, one of the great ancient cities on the Indian Ocean coast of Africa, is large, raucous, and replete with hints of an intriguing past. Gaze out to sea at Fort Jesus, which has been guarding this area since the Portuguese constructed it in the late 16th century and is classified as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Take a taste of the diverse influences that shape Swahili cuisine. Or lose yourself in the old city’s winding streets, where the aroma of spices and the call to prayer compete.

Where to stay: The city has a large number of hotels and guesthouses. Many tourists opt to stay at one of the beach resorts in the area and then travel to the city.
Activities include beach trips, dhow cruises, and city tours.
How to get there: flights from Nairobi and other Kenyan cities. Traffic on the Nairobi-Mombasa road can be a nightmare.

 

3. The Watamu

Watamu, one of the more quaint little villages on the Kenyan coast, is fortunate to have one of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the country, coupled with some of the best sunrise views in the country. Despite its size, Watamu offers a lot of excellent lodging options as well as chances for both land-based and marine recreation. Even a local project to conserve sea turtles exists.

Where to stay: Watamu has great options for every price, and many of them overlook the water.
Activities include fishing, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and kitesurfing.
How to get there: Watamu is 45 minutes south of Malindi and 2 hours north of Mombasa. Watamu Packages

 

4. The Island of Wasini

Wasini is an absolutely stunning location away from the bustle. World-class diving and snorkeling are available in Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park, which offers access to what may be the most stunning coral on the Kenyan coast. With a lovely beachfront location, Swahili ruins, and lots of other things to do, you might end up staying forever.

Where to stay: There are a few modestly priced and moderately priced lodging options in Wasini.
Activities include fishing, diving, snorkeling, and dhow cruises.
How to get there: Wasini is about 75 km/46 mi south of Mombasa, and boats connect it to the mainland.

 

5. The Archipelago of Lamu

Lamu is a soul. More than any other place in Kenya, it embodies the essence of those thriving times and was a contender to Zanzibar as a medieval East African hub for the Indian Ocean spice trade. This relaxed archipelago is home to timeless fishing villages, beautiful beaches (Shela is a classic), historic buildings, and a variety of amazing activities that you may partake in while enjoying the refreshing sea breeze.

Where to stay: Lamu offers a variety of lodging options throughout the islands, ranging from peaceful guesthouses by the sea to opulent boutique beachside hideaways on Manda Island like Manda Bay.
Activities: Beach swimming, dhow excursions, diving, and snorkeling
How to get there: There are buses and private vehicles that connect you to Lamu Island via the roads that go up and down the coast, and there are daily flights from Nairobi to Lamu Airport, which is located on Manda Island. Additionally, boats link the mainland and every island in the archipelago.

6. The National Reserve of Shimba Hills

Elephants, Roosevelt’s sable antelope, giraffes, buffalo, zebras, hippo, and many monkey species can be seen in the calm, green Shimba Hills National Reserve, one of the few locations along the Kenyan coast to go wildlife hunting. It’s a great way to mix up your beach vacation without going on a big adventure.

Where to stay: Most visitors come here as a day excursion from Diani Beach, however there are campsites and a resort.
Activities: Observing wildlife
How to get there: Day tours to Shimba Hills are offered by tour companies in Mombasa and Diani Beach. The reserve is located around 40 km/25 mi south of Mombasa.

 

7. The Malindi

Malindi is one of the worst options when choosing a destination along Kenya’s coastline. Malindi, one of the bigger resort towns, is well-known for its amazing kitesurfing conditions and is particularly well-liked by Italians, which makes it a great place to eat. Its long, lovely beach, which is surrounded by palm palms, is undoubtedly one of the reasons it is so well-liked.

Where to stay: There are excellent mid-range and low-cost lodging options in Malindi, many of which are close to the beach.
Activities: Diving and kitesurfing
How to get there: Flights to Malindi are offered daily from Nairobi and Lamu. Mombasa is only 115 km/70 mi north of it; the drive takes two hours.

 

8. The island of Funzi

Funzi Island, a mangrove island, is a lovely alternative to the beach, palm trees, and palms that are so common along the Kenyan coast. Here, the focus is on spotting birds and crocodiles rather than relaxing on the sand. Even though most visitors are just there for the day, spending the night is a terrific way to get to know the residents.

Where to stay: Basic homestays with local families are the main focus of Funzi.
Activities: Boat trips to observe wildlife and birds
To get there, take a small boat from Bodo to Funzi, which is located 35 km/20 mi south of Diani Beach.

9. Gede Ruins & Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve

A wonderful day away from the beach may be had in the Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve and the adjacent archeological site, which is only a few kilometers back (but a world away) from the Mombasa–Malindi route. See primates and some of the 230 known bird species in the forest, then listen for ghosts from the 15th century among Gede’s mosques and coral mansions.

Where to stay: Gede has no lodging options, and Arabuko Sokoke only offers basic camping with a treehouse platform. Activities: observing nature and birds
How to get there: Most visitors come from Watamu or Malindi for a day trip.

 

10. Kilifi

Kilifi is more than just a gorgeous face; it’s stylish and environmentally concerned, unlike anywhere else in Kenya. Fantastic seafood, boating and diving, and the ancient Mnarani ruins are the main attractions. And with breathtaking Bofa and Takaungu Beaches, as well as the amazing Vuma Cliffs, a location of enormous baobabs and black coral cliffs, you might end up staying there forever.

Where to stay: Kilifi has excellent lodging options for all price ranges, featuring chic ecolodges and a true rustic, boutique sensibility.
Activities: Boat trips and diving
Kilifi is located 48 km/30 mi south of Malindi and 73 km/45 mi north of Mombasa via road.