The best beaches to visit off the coast of Kenya
Can you really think of the coast of Kenya without thinking of beaches near Mombasa?
My perception of an ideal vacation is watching the sunset with sand lodged between my toes, sipping off a mojito. And one of the best spots to do so is on Kenya’s quiet coastline, just minutes away from the bustling city of Mombasa. The white and blue city is a picturesque vacation spot where you can swim with the dolphins, indulge in historical Mombasa city tours with a day at any of the 500 kilometer stretch of fine white sand, golden dunes, warm aqua water and idyllic secluded islands.
The beaches have a great tourist pull, while the coral reefs offer some of the best diving and snorkeling spots in Africa and worldwide. So if you have a vacation planned to Mombasa, here are the best beaches you must check out.
Diani Beach
The most beautiful beach in Mombasa, Diani Beach, is 30km south of Mombasa town. The beach with powdery white sand offers plenty for tourists to indulge in and has been voted the best beach in Africa on numerous occasions. While here, you can take a beach walk, beach soccer, and sunbathe. Diani Beach is located near Shimba Hills National Reserve and Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary, only an hour’s drive away. Diani is also a popular spot for deep-sea fishing.
Bamburi Beach
Another tourist favorite, Bamburi Beach, is a strip of fine white sand backed by palm trees overlapped by shallow turquoise water with a serene breeze located in Mombasa’s North Coast. If you love swimming, walking in the sand, and sunbathing, then Bamburi should be on your itinerary.
Chale Island
Chale Island is the perfect resort if you desire privacy and an exclusive getaway. Kenya’s only private island is located less than the length of a soccer field off the mainland and is surrounded by coral reefs and covered in thick vegetation.
Chale Island has one main beach with a few secluded strands. However, your footprints are likely to be the only ones in the sand. So indulge in activities such as snorkeling, beach bumming, kayaking in the mangroves, catamaran sailing, deep-sea fishing, and scuba diving at Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park.
Watamu and Turtle Bay
“Watamu” is a Swahili word to mean sweet, just a brief context. Watamu is a chain of beaches set around cerulean coves on the sandy stretch separating Mida Creek and the Indian Ocean. Located 10 miles south of Malindi, the enormous coral reef stretch makes it perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving.
And as its name suggests, turtles are seen nesting along this stretch near the reef. You can also check out the site of the Gede Ruins, an abandoned medieval settlement.
Nyali Beach
One of the country’s finest beaches, Nyali is the most developed beach in Kenya. The fine grate sand stretch is home to some of the best international restaurants and hotels in the country and continent.
Resorts like Whitesands and the Serena are prime examples of how upscale Nyali has become over the years. Also, enjoy the ripe coral reefs and grass meadows of Mombasa Marine National Park by scuba diving or snorkeling.
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Ready to book your Mombasa adventure? Let Humphrey Tours help plan your day in and around the amazing Kenyan coast!
