Kilifi Kenya Travel Guide: Beaches, Culture, and Adventure

Kilifi Kenya – An Insider’s Guide

Kilifi Kenya, ticks all the boxes for a paradise holiday: white sand beaches, warm Indian Ocean, quirky bars and restaurants, and a laid-back vibe. 

Off the beaten track is such an overused word, but it’s true of Kilifi tourism. So many people Kilifi attractions on their way to Malindi or Watamu, but Kilifi keeps its prizes close to its chest. Scratch beneath the surface, and you’ll find a booming alternative industry of foodie entrepreneurs, sports fanatics, and conservationists. 

Kilifi Kenya has a growing community of people who have tired of city life in Nairobi and moved to the coast. Kilifi Kenya has one of the best schools in the region (Kivukoni), and the steady influx of permanent residents means houses and villas in Kilifi are getting harder to come by. 

What is there to do in Kilifi Kenya?

Kilifi Beaches – Bofa Beach

Kilifi Beaches are outstanding and number one on the list has to be Bofa beach, which rivals Diani for the whitest and softest sand in Kenya. In fact, the sand is so white that it’s painful to open your eyes in the midday sun, and so soft you sink into it as you approach the water. Bofa Beach has a warm, translucent ocean, which recedes to reveal rock pools stuffed with starfish, shells and miniature life. When the tide returns, it brings tumbling waves and excellent kitesurfing & sailing conditions. Bofa Beach has Salty’s for refreshments but there are no sun beds, shops or toilets. 

Kilifi Creek 

Swimming across Kilifi Creek is a tradition, but you had better be a strong swimmer to attempt it. That it’s possible to do so indicates how gentle the waters are, and this, my friend, makes it ideal for watersports. The excellent 3 Degrees South provides boats, boards and training sessions for anyone wanting to learn dinghy sailing, yachting, windsurfing, waterskiing, wake boarding and kayaking.

Kuruwitu Conservancy 

Not technically Kilifi, it’s about 20 minutes further down the coast, near to Vipingo Ridge, but Kuruwitu Conservancy is well worth a visit. The conservancy is a community led project that was set up in 2003. The 30 hectare ocean based conservancy began by working with local fisherman to stop harmful fishing and associated practices which damaged coral and marine life. Today you can snorkel out over the conservancy and see one of the most abundant areas of marine life in all of Kenya. Look out for the little coral gardens, where the team are activity growing coral heads. You have to pay to snorkel KSH 1500, but it’s worth it to see such a vast quantity of underwater sea life so close to the shore. Kuruwitu also hosts the superb Vipingo Beach Club where you can grab a bite to eat. Technically it’s a members’ club for Vipingo residents, but I’ve often seen people walk in off the beach. Have a daiquiri for me. 

Kilifi Plantation 

Kilifi Plantation is a 2500-hectare dairy and sisal plantation. It’s insanely beautiful. Something stirs in me when I see those endless lines of sisal silhouetted against the blue sky. Kilifi Plantation has an extensive network of cycling and walking tracks. It also has the excellent Food Movement restaurant . There are several shops near the Food Movement, think arts, crafts, clothes, organic food and furniture.

Mnarani Ruins Kilifi

I love a good historical outing, and Kilifi delivers with the Mnarani Ruins. The Mnarani Ruins are the remains of two 15th century mosques. The mosques over look Kilifi Creek from their location high on a cliff side. There are some fabulous and equally ancient baobab trees, and several tombs. 

Kilifi Kenya Sunset Dhow Cruise

A dhow cruise in Kilifi doesn’t need to be at sunset. In fact, taking a dhow out and snorkelling around is a wonderful way to spend a sultry afternoon, but heading down the creek with the sky painted orange is the perfect way to end a day.

Day Trips from Kilifi Kenya

Nearby Vipingo (20 minutes), Watamu (1 hour) and Mombasa (1 hour) have lots to do. I’ve included a link to tours (below) so if you are dubious about hiring a car and driving out, then book a tour to explore further away. 

Kilifi Restaurants Kenya

As both the Kilifi expatriate community and tourism boom in Kilifi, the restaurant scene is picking up. Below are some of my favourite Kilifi restaurants.

Salty’s Kitesurfing Village

Saltys Kitesurfing Village is my number one place for eating and drinking in Kilifi. Bury your feet in the sand and feast on seafood carpaccio, burgers, and salads. The menu changes according to what is available but has an emphasis on locally sourced and organic food. It’s a very laid back vibe, grab a beer and try to blend in with all the gorgeous and impossibly cool 20-year-olds.  You can also sleep here, but I’ll get to accommodation in Kilifi later.

The Food Movement 

The Food Movement offers local, organic food that veggies and meat eaters will both adore. The tuna tacos are divine and my kids always devour a rolex. I’d say The Food Movement has a hippie/ boho vibe, da yoof call it a meeting place for self-expressive creatives and entrepreneurs. Either way, the food is yum. Whilst you can get a beer, there’s no wine or spirits. However, you can wander around the site and look at the little local stalls and workshops, or just lie in the shade of the trees and try not to melt in the heat. 

The Twisted Fig

I can’t lie to you folks, I haven’t actually been to The Twisted Fig at Beneath the Baobabs. I only know that 1. Lots of my friends recommend it. 2. The food and venue on the website look awesome. 3 According to their Instagram, they are always having vibey full moon festivals I can never attend and am therefore I am perpetually jealous. Do me a favour, visit the Kilifi restaurant, then please write to me and tell me what it’s like so I can update this blog. 

Nautilus Restaurant

Nautilus Restaurant Kilifi is housed in a wooden building that looks out over the creek. It’s one of the best spots for a sundowner in Kilifi. It has views that stretch out over the ocean, where boats meander slowly past and you can laugh as newbies capsize their sail boats in the creek. The food is very good, heavy emphasis on Mediterranean style seafood and some Swahili dishes. Given its location and the food, you would think it was a more popular stop off, but the service can sometimes leave you wanting. TripAdvisor reviews are improving with time, so if you’ve been before and were disappointed, then now is the time to give it another chance. 

Kilifi Boatyard

Kilifi Boatyard restaurant serves a variety of meals, from seafood to pizza, and has a great location by the creek. Guests love the friendly atmosphere and sunset views while enjoying meals with friends or family​

Accommodation in Kilifi Kenya

Tourism is light in Kilifi compared to Mombasa, Watamu and Diani, and there are limited Kilifi accommodation options. A lot of the hotels you will find listed are not in Kilifi at all or are very old and dated, so I don’t want to add them to this list. The pick of hotels in Kilifi Kenya is below. 

Salty’s Kitesurfing Village

To call Salty’s Kitesurfing Village a hotel is a huge stretch. Think more like a rustic, bohemian, kitesurfing bar with a few places to stay out the back. Nestled in the dunes on Bofa Beach, Salty’s offers amazing food and cocktails and a windswept barefoot vibe. Formerly a private house, there are seven suites and four economy ‘surfer rooms’. It is basic but clean and competitively priced. 

Mnarani Beach Club

Mnaraini Beach Club is located up on the cliff in the same place as 3 Degrees South with whom they are affiliated. The cliff side location affords amazing views across the creek and over the Indian Ocean. The Mnarani Beach resort is set in 40 acres of landscaped tropical garden and you have access to a private white sand cove (where 3 Degrees operates from). 60 clean, basic rooms, a restaurant, beach bar and a pool. It’s a no frills place, but it is the best option for a larger hotel in Kilifi. It’s also fabulous if you are planning to do lots of watersports or are in Kilifi to learn to sail, dive or windsurf. 

Bofa Beach Resort 

Bofa Beach Resort is a large hotel built on seven acres. It’s second row, but you have direct access to Bofa beach. There is a variety of accommodation, from rooms to safari style tents, an onsite restaurant, bar and pool. There is a camping option. This is a very affordable hotel with lots of facilities for the whole family, however reviews are very mixed. Please check on TripAdvisor first. In particular, the food is an issue, but it’s a cheap option to stay if you consider eating out as part of your holiday. 

Private houses in Kilifi Kenya

There are many private houses in Kilifi, Kenya and the neighbouring creek and beach Takaungu.

Kamili House is the best house I have ever stayed in at the coast. Click the link to read my blog about it. I’ve also stayed at Kamili Cottage next door, which misses the amazing ocean views but has a gorgeous tropical garden, huge pool, and excellent decor.

In Takaungu, there is the divine Takaungu Main House—again, click the link to read the blog. It’s slightly out of Kilifi, but you will have a near private beach all to yourself.

For other houses, head over to Kilifi Konnection, Discover Watamu, Airbnb, or ask around on the Nairobi Expat Travel Group. 

How to get to Kilifi Kenya

Kilifi, Kenya sits 1 hour north of Mombasa airport and 1.5 hours south of Malindi’s smaller airport. It makes more sense to fly to Mombasa which is closer and cheaper or to Vipingo Ridge with is only 20 minutes away. Mombasa is Kenya’s second largest city has an international airport. 

If you are travelling from Mombasa then I suggest you take a  taxi, the cost should be approx 40 dollars one way.  Don’t be tempted by the far cheaper tuk-tuks,  you will waste hours of your life bumping in slow motion towards your destination. 

Matatu’s also run between Mombasa and Kilifi, it’s a crowded, hot and sticky affair but vastly cheaper.  There are also a couple of bus services, check Kenyabus more information

Flights from Nairobi to Mombasa and vice versa run a few times a day, take an hour and are cheap. (Approx 50 USD one way).  I recommend Jambojet and Kenya Airways over the smaller airlines. 

The SGR train runs a twice daily, very cheap, clean and comfortable service from Nairobi to Mombasa and makes a cheap, if lengthy alternative way to travel to Kilifi beach.  

It is entirely possible to drive to Kilifi Kenya from Nairobi, and many people do.  The journey takes between 8 – 10 hours on the well paved but very busy Mombasa highway.   You always have the option of stopping at Tsavo National Park en-route.

Further Reading on the Kenyan Coast

12 Amazing Places to visit in Mombasa

The Majlis Resort in Lamu, Kenya

21 Incredible Family Friendly Resorts in Kenya 

6 Luxurious Resorts, Retreats and Hotels In Malindi

6 Unbelievable Resort Style Hotels in Diani Beach, Kenya

Travel Booking for Kilifi Kenya

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