The Best Beaches in Kenya -Your Ultimate Guide 2024

The Best Beaches in Kenya : Discover the best places to go when you are at the Kenyan Coast.

You have probably seen pictures of beaches in Kenya. Those long stretches of white sand beach framed by palm trees are easily mistaken for Thailand, the Caribbean or the Whitsundays. The only clues that this might be Africa as you gaze at the azure sea are the dhows canoes that lazily traverse the coastline. 

Kenya’s beaches stretch over 500 km from Somalia to Tanzania. The coast is white sandy coves interspersed with coral cliffs, much of it bordered by reefs, which offer some of the best diving in the world.

The Best Beaches in Kenya from Lamu to Galu

At the tip of Kenya, you find Lamu. Then there is nothing but the blue sea, palms and mostly uninhabited coastline until you reach Malindi, Watamu and Kilifi.  South of Kilifi is the port city of Mombasa. One of the most ancient cities in Africa and the second biggest in Kenya. Keep going towards Tanzania and you will find the honeymoon idylls of Tiwi, Diani and Galu… then barely populated Msambweni.

Much can be said for packing a picnic and a bottle of wine and heading to a deserted beach where you will find no human footprints. The best beaches in Kenya offer miles and miles of such delicious discoveries. Even if you decide to head for the more recognised destinations, this is no Benidorm or Bournemouth. You will easily find yourself alone with the ocean even if you are in the busiest of destinations.

 

Lamu

Starting from the top, you have Lamu. Much has been made of its proximity to Somalia and I’d advise you to look into the latest updates of the situation before you travel, as kidnapping and pirating are common just over the border, and so it’s important to be mindful.

Lamu is a bucket list destination. One of the few relatively untouched paradises in the world and a step apart from any of the other beaches along the coast. This little island has no cars, all transport is by donkey. Its Arabic architecture and traditions make it feel closer to Arabia than Africa. There are sandy beaches filled with sand dollars and seashells. What you get in Lamu is history and culture and a step back in time that is near impossible to find in many other places. I highly recommend a stay at Peponi’s in Shela, or the Majlis Hotel which is on neighbouring Manda Island. I can’t think of a more romantic place in the world, and these are definitely some of the beach beaches in Kenya.

Where to stay in Lamu

$$$: The Majlis Resort 

$$: The Kijani Hotel 

$: Amu House 

Malindi

Despite being built by African Arabs and further inhabited by Portuguese, Malindi now belongs largely to the Italians. The result is a port town offers some of the best Italian food to be found in all of Africa. Malindi is framed by white sand beaches, backed by indigenous forest and peppered with pizzerias. It has all the makings of a tummy enlarging, slothful holiday if there weren’t so many ‘must do’s’ within the vicinity. As popular as it is, I don’t believe Malindi qualifies as one of the best beaches in Kenya. There are prettier beaches for sure, but there is more to do in Malindi than in other quieter destinations. 

Where to stay in Malindi

$$$ Leopard Point Luxury Beach Resort and Spa

$$ Kilili Baharani Resort and Spa 

$ Kenya Oasis Village

Watamu

Watamu is high on my list of the best beaches in Kenya. Read my guide to Watamu here. Watamu is a series of beaches connected by rocky headlands most of which you can walk over, or round (at low tide). Turtle Bay Beach at the southern end is one long white stretch of sun-baked sand fronted by large hotels; Turtle Bay Beach Club, Medina Palms, Ocean Sports, and Hemingways are the most popular. Watamu beach in the middle is a small, unassuming cove, home mostly to private houses. The glorious Papa Remo beach at the northern tip is a wide expanse of sand bars and shallows flat in low tide. Protected by small islets, the waves crash beyond them whilst lovers and toddlers relax in complete safety in the warm waters of the shallows. Visited famed pizzeria, Papa Remo, which hunkers down in the white sands right on the beach. You can rent sun beds and spend the whole day lying under the shade of a palm or you can eat their amazing pizza or drink far too many cocktails in the cool, shady Makuti thatched lounge.

Where To Stay Papa Remo Beach

$$ Visiwa Beach Resort

$$ Seven Islands Resort

Where to Stay South Watamu

$$$ Kobe Suite Resort

$$ Gecko Resort

Watamu Marine Park

Watamu is home to the world famous Marine Park.  4 different species of turtle swim and nest within its grounds. During a visit to the Marine Park, you may see shark, whale, dolphin, turtles as well as many different types of tropical fish. The Marine Park environment is now endangered due to the huge numbers of tourist snorkelling and diving within its waters and damaging delicate coral, as well as tons of tourist boats that chug back and forth all day. If you visit, be mindful and tread with care.

Watamu Town itself is tiny with little of note apart from the Crab Shack. A short Tuk Tuk ride down a road opposite Turtle Bay hotel and you will find yourself in a mangrove swamp bordering Mida Creek. The Crab Shack is built on stilts above the Mangrove and only accessed by a boardwalk. The best place in Watamu for sundowners is Lichthaus, whose nets extend out over Mida Creek.

Where to stay in Turtle Bay Watamu

$$$ Hemingways Watamu

$$$ Medina Palms

$$ Turtle Bay Beach Club Read about my stay at Turtle Bay here

$$ Ocean Sports Resort

Further Reading on Watamu

Discover Gecko Resort Watamu – Hotel Review

Watamu Beach Kenya: The Insiders Guide to Paradise

16 Incredible Watamu Hotels and Villas : Places to Stay in Watamu

Best restaurants in Watamu

A beach holiday in Watamu Kenya

Kilifi

Kilifi is the kite surfing, sail boating capital of Kenya. Its position upon a lagoon makes it an excellent base for beginners to a variety of water sports. Kilifi is a laid back community, with white sandy beaches and cliff lined lagoons. There’s a vibrant expatriate community thanks to the popular Kivukoni school and while there aren’t many in the way of large hotels, you will find an abundance of private houses for rent. Read my Kilifi Guide here or my review of Kamili House or Takaungu House. Visit the Mnarani Club for tons of watersports activities, including sailing, diving and windsurfing. The best restaurants and bars in Kilifi are Salty’s Kitesurfing Village, where you can also book accommodation. Kilifi Boatyard, The Twisted Fig, and The Food Movement.

Where to stay in Kilifi

$$ Saltys Kitesurfing Village

$$ Mnarani Beach Club and Spa 

$ Kilifi Magreb

Vipingo

Vipingo lies between Kilifi and Mombasa. Most people go there to stay in the idyllic golf and lifestyle resort that sits high on the ridge above the sisal plantations. Read more about Vipingo Ridge here. However, there is a gorgeous beach at Vipingo and you can find houses that sit on the beach or along the nearby cliffs. Look at Kilifi Konnection or Airbnb. Kuruwitu beach at Vipingo Ridge is a marine protected area and part of a private conservancy. There has been a scheme to regenerate the coral beds in this area, which makes it one of the best places on the coast to snorkel. Just a short distance out from shore, you can see the coral nurseries where ‘baby’ corals are being grown. The sea life is just incredible. Vipingo Ridge Beach Bar is a great spot for lunch. 

Mombasa

Mombasa is a massive port city, the second biggest in the country, and a belching behemoth by Kenyan standards. Gritty and probably nitty there is beauty here, but you have to look for it. Visit the old town Mombasa and its tiny streets and stores stuffed with brass and rugs that sing of former times. Mombasa also has beaches at Nyali and Bamburi and the beaches are gorgeous and white and sandy, but they are also swarmed by large hotels and beach boys selling their wares. The beaches in Mombasa and undoubtedly gorgeous, but if you are looking for a beach holiday on the Kenyan coast then both Kilifi and Diani are just a short drive away and more picturesque. My blog How to find the Best Hotel in Mombasa details Mombasa hotels.

The 8 Best Restaurants in Mombasa 

12 Amazing Places to visit in Mombasa

Where to stay in Mombasa

$$$ Sarova Whitesands 

$$$ Severin Sealodge

$$$ Serena Beach Resort and Spa

$$ Bahari Beach Hotel 

Tiwi, Diani and Galu

The beaches of Tiwi, Diani and Galu make up the better known section of the south coast and they are among the best beaches in Kenya.

Diani and its sister beaches of Galu and Tiwi are the closest and easiest to reach from Nairobi (apart from Mombasa). These three beaches are, in fact, one long beach that runs into each other, only defined by distance and the occasional small headland. Choosing between beaches can be a tough call, but despite their proximity to each other, there are important differences.

Diani

The most popular beach in Kenya is Diani. Here you will find 10 km of sand so white it dazzles and bathwater warm water in all shades of blue. At low tide, it recedes to show off its reefs and sand islands. Apart from Mombasa, Diani Beach is Kenya’s business beach resort with many restaurants, hotels, an excellent hospital and two large chain supermarkets, Carrefour Navas, and Chandarana. However, forget the tower blocks of Europe and America, Diani is still a laid back beach destination.

Diani hosts numerous high-end resorts that dot the coastline, but secreted between palms are palatial villas, funky cottages and sleepy shambas. This is the beach for your Instagram snaps and your virtual postcards home. 

Spend the day sipping cool white wine at Nomads, visit the infamous Ali Barbour’s Cave restaurant, take a camel ride down the beach, head to Kenyaways and kitesurf, or hit up one of the dive schools (I recommend Nomads).

6 Unbelievable Resort Style Hotels in Diani Beach, Kenya

27 Inspiring Things To Do In Diani Beach

Ali Barbour Cave Restaurant Diani

Where to stay in Diani

$$$ Sands at Nomad  Read about my experience here 

$$$ Swahili Beach Resort

$$$ Eleven Pearl Boutique Hotel

$$$ Diani Sea Resort

$$ Swahili Beach Resort

$  Shalom Cottages

Galu beach

10K along the beach from Diani is Galu. Ostensibly, this is the same beach, being that one long stretch of sand runs into another. It is possible to walk the entire stretch from north of Diani to past Galu. What Galu lacks in shops and commercial enterprise, it gains in the softness of the sand and beauty. Walking the beach in Galu is to sink into sand so powder like it’s more akin to dust. Here the fishermen sail the reef with spear guns in the early morning and you can visit the local shops for freshly caught lobster, snapper, prawns or octopus. Galu is quieter than Diani, but far from deserted. One can find 5* restaurants and laid back beach bars, but you will need to travel to Diani to stock up on home supplies. Galu has fewer resorts, more cottages, and is a quieter, prettier alternative to Diani.

Where to stay in Galu:

$$$ Lantana Galu Apartments 

$$ Neptune Paradise Beach Resort 

$$ Kenyaways Kite Surf

Tiwi

Tiwi sits on the northern side of Diani. Whilst it’s hard to separate the beaches of Galu and Diani, Tiwi is a different experience entirely. In Tiwi, the reef, which protects most of the Kenyan coastline, comes in close to the beach. The white sand becomes golden and filled with shells. The endless white beaches of Diani meet cave speckled coral cliffs interspersed with sunshine-filled secret coves. The beaches at high tide are glorious in their Mediterranean style beauty, but it is at low tide that they come into their own. At Tiwi, it’s possible to walk all the way out to the reef without it reaching past your knees. The reef and rock pools are a childhood dream; an unrivalled opportunity to spend hours hunting out crabs, fish, sea urchins and shells. On the reef starfish of all shapes and sizes are innumerable.

Tiwi has no bars; shops, restaurants and the resorts are far between. In Tiwi you rent a house, kick off your shoes and relax. Days are for rock pooling or surfing, nights are for sundowners on the deck of your private house. This is my favourite beach and definitely a best beach in Kenya. 

Where to stay in Tiwi

Tiwi doesn’t have many big resorts, most are private houses. Take a look at the Kilifi Collection website for holiday homes all over Kenya or visit Flipkey.com to book Airbnb style accommodation, or visit the impossibly scenic (although quite basic) Sand Island Beach Cottages. 

Reaching the Kenyan Coast from Nairobi:

Flying to Mombasa from Nairobi

The fastest and easiest way is to fly. Flights depart from JKIA and Wilson hourly throughout the day and take approximately an hour.

For the southern beaches, you can fly into Mombasa, but it’s easier to book a flight to Ukunda, which is situated right in Diani. Book in advance and you can be flying for as little as 6000 KSH / 50 USD
For Watamu, Malindi and Kilifi, there is an airport at Malindi or the taxi takes two hours from Mombasa. Vipingo Ridge has a private airstrip.
Lamu requires a direct flight, and it isn’t advisable to drive.

Train to Mombasa from Nairobi

The SGR train runs from Nairobi to Mombasa twice a day. The 8 am departure is a 6-hour journey past Kilimanjaro and through Tsavo.

First class tickets are 4500 and second class is 1500 for adults.

Driving to Mombasa from Nairobi

It is approximately a 9-hour drive on the Mombasa road to the beach, but it does take you past some amazing scenery. You can also break up the journey with a stop en route. Consider Voi or Mtito Andei for an overnight safari in Tsavo.

Looking for somewhere to stay in Nairobi, then check out this blog on the best hotels.

---

Sharing is caring!