While on your Kenya Safari Vacation why not combine it by unwinding on some of the best beaches in Kenya.
There are no beaches in Nairobi and the nearest beach to Nairobi would probably be Mombasa but its still 483.77 km away. If you are looking to do a safari then Nairobi would be a great place to start because of its proximity to several national parks including Aberdares, Masai mara, Amboseli and many others. Nairobi is actually a city in the center of Kenya.
If a Kenya beach holiday is what you are looking for then landing in Mombasa directly from Europe is still an option. Moi International airport in Mombasa although not as busy as Nairobi handles considerable traffic with more than eighteen airlines flying directly from and to Europe, and offering connections to over twenty cities in the region.
Best Time To Visit
The Kenyan coast is generally hot and humid through out the year with Mombasa’s annual daytime temperatures averaging between 27 and 31°C. There is always the chance of rain on the coast throughout the year though it’s has more rains and heat during the mid-March to late May which is the rainy season – indeed, we’d recommend avoiding Kenya’s coast at this time.
October to March (especially November) is usually considered the best time to visit Kenya’s beaches as these months offer the best conditions for water sports especially diving and snorkelling. If you want the experience of swimming with whale sharks, then visit the Kenya coast between October and April – the best whale shark sightings occur between January and March each year.
Some marine life are present only during certain times of the year and our safari consultants can further guide you as to the best times to visit based on your personal preference for aquatic species and behaviors. Humpback whales migrate through the area from the end of June to December, and for anglers, planning a trip between August to October gives you the chance to catch an enormous Yellow fin tuna. Marlins, all three species, are best fished from December to March.
Best Beaches In Kenya
When It Comes to picking the best beaches in Kenya, there are plenty of great beaches but these are some of our favourite.
Diani
Diani is one of the most popular beaches in Kenya. This stretch of beach is located 30 Km south of Mombasa what is normally referred to as South Coast. The beach provides a tranquil haven where you can relax and enjoy the warmth of the sun. Diani is renowned for its coral-reefs, underwater sandbars, and widespread palm vegetation. The beach is a delightful location for swimming as well as surfing. If you want to have a calm chilled swim, walk along the beach, have a picnic with friends and family or engage in water sports, you will find diani beach awesome for all of these.
Watamu and Turtle Bay
Watamu beach does not stretch for miles on end, but what it lacks it length, it makes up for with adventure. Its enormous coral reef makes it a perfect spot to snorkel and scuba dive. Sea turtles nest on a stretch of the beach near to the reef. If you are lucky, you could swim with whale sharks, depending on the time of the year. If not, head out to Arabuko Sokoke forest for a short safari. History buffs will be delighted by the sight of the Gede Ruins, an abandoned medieval settlement. You can also visit watamu marine park.
Lamu
Lamu is the land of dhows. Dhow sailing is a cultural tradition in Lamu and the locals hold an annual competition. Dhows are the cheapest mode of transport, used to ferry people from Lamu beach to Shela beach and Manda Island, all the way to Kiwayu Island right next to Kiunga Marine National Reserve.
You can set sail to watch the sunset in the deep sea, or cruise all the way to the marine park to snorkel and swim with dolphins if your timing is right, or you can go on an excursion to view the ruins of Takwa. Best of all is spending the night at sea on a luxurious dhow after a sumptuous meal of freshly caught fish.
Nyali
Nyali beach, being a short distance from Mombasa city, is well developed and appeals to holidaymakers who do not wish to wander far from the trappings of urbanisation. There is plenty of accommodation from which to choose. The beach itself is close to Mombasa Marine Park, where you can go snorkelling. You can also opt to view the marine life through a glass-bottomed boat. Spend time off the water at Haller Park, Mamba Village Centre or Nguuni Sanctuary. At night, hit the club scene in Mombasa or within Nyali.
Chale Island
If you fancy an Island getaway the Chale is just the place for you. Chale is a small island (about 1km from north to south and 400m from east to west) located about 600 m from the mainland and 10km from Diani. The Sands At Chale is the only hotel in the Island, and the hotel guests and staff are its only inhabitants. At less than one mile long and one-half mile wide, Chale Island is an isolated stretch of wide sand beach and mangrove forest surrounded by the gorgeous azure waters of the Indian Ocean, a secluded habitation in Kenya for a romantic honeymoon beach voyage south of Mombasa, unique family adventure or personal escape into a tropical paradise. It’s probably one of Africa’s best kept secrets.
With all these options you will soon realise that when it comes to the best beaches in Kenya, you are spoilt for choice.