Watamu Beach Kenya

What is the best part of the Kenyan coast?

What is the best part of the Kenyan coast? Kenya’s coastline in the Indian Ocean is the most picturesque in all of Africa, spanning 1,420 km/880 mi from its northern border with Somalia to its southern border with Tanzania. Island and reef systems, beach resorts, and historic spice-trading towns are dotted along its shoreline, where a languid, tropical appeal permeates daily life. It’s not only a matter of where to go when discussing the Kenyan shore. Kenya’s coastline is another exciting, action-packed location where you can go diving or snorkelling, take a traditional wooden sailboat ride along the coast, or just unwind on the beach. A holy forest, a park with elephants, and historical remains are all located not far inland from the shore.

Diani Beach

Diani Beach is still a fantastic destination despite its reputation as the most popular beach resort town in Kenya. Diani Beach is simply magnificent, offering excellent lodging options for every budget, more water sports and activities than any other coastal town, and a long, beautiful arc of sand. There are more beaches in the area that you can try, like Tiwi or Takaungu, as well as the holy forest of Kaya Kinondo.

Where to stay: Excellent boutique beach hotels (like Elewana AfroChic Diani Beach or The Maji Beach Boutique Hotel) and great backpacker hostels safari activities such as Boat trips, kitesurfing, diving, snorkelling, and water sports

How to travel there

Flights from Mombasa, or a two-hour drive from Nairobi (including a quick car ferry ride)

Watamu

Watamu, a small little village in Kenya’s coast, is endowed with one of the most beautiful white-sand beaches you’ll ever come across, and as an added bonus, it offers some of the best dawn views in the country. Watamu is a small town, yet it offers lots of excellent accommodation options and outdoor activities. A local initiative to conserve sea turtles even exists.

Where to stay: There are great options in Watamu for any budget, and many of them have views of the water.

Activities: diving, snorkelling, fishing, kayaking, and kitesurfing

How to get there: Mombasa is two hours’ drive north from Watamu, while Malindi is 45 minutes south.

Mombasa

Mombasa, one of the classic old cities of Africa’s Indian Ocean coast, is large, raucous, and full of hints to an intriguing past. Gaze out to sea at Fort Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has protected this area since the Portuguese constructed it in the late 16th century. Taste some of the diverse elements that make up Swahili cuisine. Or lose yourself in the old city’s winding streets, where the sound of the call to prayer clashes with the aroma of spices.

 Where to stay: The city has a large selection of hotels and guesthouses. Many guests opt to spend their time in one of the beach resorts in the area and then explore the city.

Activities: beach trips, dhow cruises, and city tours Flights from Nairobi and other locations in Kenya are the easiest way to get there. The Nairobi–Mombasa route may be a nightmare for drivers.

Wasini

The absolutely stunning Wasini is a place where you won’t find many people. World-class diving and snorkelling may be found in the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park, which explores what may be the most stunning reef in all of Kenya. If you add in some lovely coastline scenery, Swahili ruins, and an abundance of other things, you might end up staying forever.

Where to stay: There are only a few inexpensive and moderately priced accommodations in Wasini. Activities include fishing, diving, snorkelling, and dhow cruises.

How to get there:  There are oats connect Wasini with the mainland, around 75km/46mi south of Mombasa.

Malindi

Malindi is a great option to consider when choosing a location along Kenya’s coastline. Known for its amazing kitesurfing conditions, Malindi is a major resort town that is particularly well-liked by Italians, making it a great place to go dining. Its lengthy, gorgeous beach, bordered by palm palms, is undoubtedly one of the reasons it is so well-liked.

Where to stay: There are excellent midrange and cheap lodging options in Malindi, many of them are located directly beside the beach.

Diving and kitesurfing Travel advice: Malindi is accessible by daily aircraft from Nairobi and Lamu. It is only two hours’ drive, approximately 115 km/70 mi, north of Mombasa.

Lamu Island

What is the best part of the Kenyan coast?
Lamu

Lamu is a swahili preserved old town more than any other place in Kenya, it embodies the spirit of those affluent times and rivalled Zanzibar as a mediaeval East African hub for the Indian Ocean spice trade. With its timeless fishing villages, gorgeous beaches (Shela is a long time favourite), and an array of exciting things to partake in while soaked in the refreshing ocean breeze, this laid-back island is a wonderland.

Where to stay: Guesthouses by the sea to opulent boutique beachfront hideaways on Manda Island like Manda Bay are just a few of the lodging options available in Lamu.

Activities: Swimming on the beach, dhow excursions, diving, and snorkelling.

Funzi Island

Funzi Island is a mangrove island that offers a lovely variation to the typical beach, palm trees, and sun combination seen along Kenya’s coast. Here, the focus is on spotting birds and crocodiles rather than relaxing on the sand. Even though most visitors only stay for the day, spending the night is a fantastic way to get to know the people.

Where to stay: Funzi is all about basic homestays with local families, save from the upscale Funzi Keys hotel.

Actions: Boat trips for animal observation and bird watching

How to get there: Funzi is located 35 km/20 mi south of Diani Beach, and from Bodo, a small boat may take you to the island.

Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve and Gede Ruins

Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve and the adjacent archaeological site are a great place to spend a day away from the beach. They are only a few kilometres distant, yet they seem worlds apart from the Mombasa–Malindi route. Explore the jungle for primates and a few of the 230 species of birds that have been identified, and then listen for ghosts from the fifteenth century amidst Gede’s coral palaces and mosques.

Where to stay: There is no place to stay at Gede, and only rudimentary camping is available at Arabuko Sokoke, which includes a treehouse platform.

Activities: observing nature and birds How to get there: Most visitors come from Watamu or Malindi for a day trip.

Shimba Hills National Reserve

The calm, green Shimba Hills National Reserve is one of the few areas in Kenya to go animal viewing. Here, you can witness Roosevelt’s sable antelope, elephants, giraffes, buffalo, zebras, hippopotamuses, and a variety of monkey species. It’s a great way to break up your beach vacation without going on a big adventure.

 Where to stay: Although there are lodges and campsites here, most visitors come just for the day from Diani Beach.

Activities: Observing wildlife

 How to get there: Tour companies in Mombasa and Diani Beach provide day trips to the reserve, which is located about 40 km/25 mi south of Mombasa.

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