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Beaches, reefs and Swahili towns on the Indian Ocean.
Swap the safari dust for white sand. From Diani’s long beach and Watamu’s marine park to the Swahili streets of Mombasa and Lamu, the Kenyan coast is warm all year and an easy train ride from Nairobi.
The Kenyan coast runs for some 500 kilometres along the Indian Ocean, with coral reefs that keep the water calm and clear close to shore. Each stretch has its own character: lively Diani in the south, quieter Watamu and Malindi in the north, historic Mombasa in the middle, and Lamu, where donkeys still outnumber cars.
Whether you want a family beach holiday, a honeymoon, a group celebration or a few days by the sea after a safari, we’ll help you choose the right beach and plan the coast around your budget.
A long white-sand beach south of Mombasa, with hotels and villas for every budget, colobus monkeys in the coastal forest, and dolphins at Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park a short drive south.
Quieter beaches north of Mombasa, with one of Kenya’s best marine parks, turtle conservation, the sunset boardwalk at Mida Creek and the ruins of Gede in the forest.
Narrow streets, carved doors and spice markets around Fort Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 1590s.
A Swahili island town on the UNESCO World Heritage list, where life moves at the pace of the dhows and donkeys. Ideal for slow days and honeymoons.
The coast is warm all year. The best months depend on whether you want calm seas, lower prices or fewer people.
| PERIOD | WHAT TO EXPECT |
|---|---|
| December to March | Hot, sunny and calm. The best snorkelling of the year. Christmas and New Year are the busiest, most expensive weeks. |
| April to June | The long rains, heaviest in April and May. Some hotels close; those that stay open offer their lowest prices. |
| July to October | Dry, breezy and a little cooler. Humpback whales pass along the coast, and the beaches are quieter than in December. |
| November | Short rains, usually brief afternoon showers. Good value before the December rush. |
December books up early, especially Christmas week and the SGR trains to Mombasa. We recommend booking by October for the festive season.
Take the train from Nairobi to the Indian Ocean, then enjoy three days in Diani and two in Watamu, with dolphins, dhow sailing, snorkelling and a stop in Mombasa’s Old Town on the way north.
Open a day to see what happens.
Board the Madaraka Express in Nairobi and watch the plains of Tsavo roll past on the way to Mombasa. We meet you at the station and drive you to Diani, crossing on the Likoni ferry.
A free morning on the beach or by the pool. In the afternoon, visit the Colobus Conservation centre to learn how the area protects its rare Angolan colobus monkeys.
Drive to Shimoni and sail by dhow into Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park, looking for dolphins on the way. Snorkel over the coral gardens, then enjoy a seafood lunch on Wasini Island before sailing back.
The coast has places to stay for every budget, from simple beach cottages and family resorts to boutique hotels, private villas and Lamu’s Swahili houses.
Tell us what matters most to you, and we’ll help you find the right place to stay in the Kenyan Coast.
HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend! I had such a good experience booking my safari with her. Everything was so smooth, especially considering how last-minute my trip was.
Very well arranged everything was as I hoped they delivered well Very great trip. … We gave them our budget they stuck to it.
Everything was smooth and stress free from start to finish and their customer service was exceptional. They checked in regularly to make sure I had arrived safely … and genuinely cared that I was enjoying my trip.
Planning our Cape Town trip with Elite Travel Consultants was very seamless from start to finish. The team was professional, responsive, and always ready to answer our questions.
Their service was professional, smooth, and stress-free from start to finish. They helped plan everything within my budget and made the whole process easy.
The SGR train to Mombasa takes about five to six hours; one-way fares are KES 1,500 in economy and KES 4,500 in first class. You can also fly to Mombasa, Ukunda (for Diani), Malindi (for Watamu) or Manda (for Lamu).
Diani suits families and first-time visitors who want a long beach and plenty to do. Watamu suits couples and nature lovers who prefer quieter beaches and the marine park.
The coral reef keeps most beaches calm. Swim near your hotel, check the tides (some beaches are shallow at low tide), and follow local advice about currents.
Yes. Tsavo East and West lie between Nairobi and the coast, or you can fly from the Maasai Mara to the coast for a classic bush-and-beach holiday.
The Kenyan Shilling (KES). M-Pesa and cards are accepted almost everywhere on the coast, and many hotels also quote in US dollars.
Swahili and English are both official languages, and Swahili is at its richest on the coast, where it was born.
East Africa Time (EAT), which is UTC+3.
Kenyan citizens and East African Community citizens travel with an ID or passport. Most other visitors apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation before travelling. We’ll confirm what you need when we plan your trip.
Tell us when you’d like to travel, who you’re travelling with, what you’d like to experience, and what you’d like to spend. We’ll help you turn your ideas into a personalised journey.
