The north coast of Kenya is lined with pristine palm fringed beaches, and the calm inviting waters of the Indian Ocean. The beaches are broken by the wide mouth of Kilifi Creek, whose azure waters are a popular port of call on the international yachting circuit.
The beaches of Nyali, Vipingo, Kikambala and Shanzu are home to a wide range of World Class resorts with fine cuisine and services.
The peaceful beach havens of Mtwapa and Takaungu offer an ideal escape from the outside world, with endless deserted beaches.
The offshore reefs are alive with coral, myriad fish, sea turtles and dolphins. Both outer and inner reef walls offer world class diving with spectacular coral gardens and drop offs, and Kenya's best wreck diving on the MV Dania.
Whether its rest or recreation, you'll find something to suit you on the North Coast.
Getting Around - The gateway to the North Coast is Mombasa, although some visitors fly directly to Malindi. The Coastal highway runs north of Mombasa all the way to Kenya’s northern frontier. Driving your own car or hired car as far as Malindi is very easy. There are regular buses and matatus along the North coast. Many hotels and resorts in this area have Mombasa shuttles or can arrange vehicle transfers. Private taxis from Mombasa will also take you to the North Coast beaches for an agreed fare.
Malindi airport has daily scheduled flights to Mombasa, Nairobi and Lamu. The airport also serves Private Charters. Regular buses and Matatus service the North Coast Highway. Services are less regular north of Malindi. Taxis can be found in any town, or at most hotels or resorts.
Mombasa:
The offshore reefs are alive with coral, myriad fish, sea turtles and dolphins. Both outer and inner reef walls offer world class diving with spectacular coral gardens and drop offs, and Kenya's best wreck diving on the MV Dania.
Whether its rest or recreation, you'll find something to suit you on the North Coast.
Getting Around - The gateway to the North Coast is Mombasa, although some visitors fly directly to Malindi. The Coastal highway runs north of Mombasa all the way to Kenya’s northern frontier. Driving your own car or hired car as far as Malindi is very easy. There are regular buses and matatus along the North coast. Many hotels and resorts in this area have Mombasa shuttles or can arrange vehicle transfers. Private taxis from Mombasa will also take you to the North Coast beaches for an agreed fare.
Malindi airport has daily scheduled flights to Mombasa, Nairobi and Lamu. The airport also serves Private Charters. Regular buses and Matatus service the North Coast Highway. Services are less regular north of Malindi. Taxis can be found in any town, or at most hotels or resorts.
Mombasa is a place steeped in history, yet at the same time fascinating commercial and cosmopolitan port town. Mombasa is an island connected to the mainland by bridges and ferries. The town over looks a wide harbor, where commercial shipping mingles with traditional sailing dhows.
The streets are alive with the bright colors of the traditional coastal khanga and kikoy, the all purpose wrap around cloth worn by both men and women. At the waters edge is Fort Jesus, an imposing fort that stands watch over the harbor. The high gun turrets, battlements and underground passages of this 16th Century Fort were the center of a historic struggle for control of the Kenya coast between the Portuguese army and the Shirazi Arabs.
Modern Mombasa is a city of great diversity and life. This is a town were all are welcomed and quickly absorbed into this great coastal melting pot.
The streets are alive with the bright colors of the traditional coastal khanga and kikoy, the all purpose wrap around cloth worn by both men and women. At the waters edge is Fort Jesus, an imposing fort that stands watch over the harbor. The high gun turrets, battlements and underground passages of this 16th Century Fort were the center of a historic struggle for control of the Kenya coast between the Portuguese army and the Shirazi Arabs.
Modern Mombasa is a city of great diversity and life. This is a town were all are welcomed and quickly absorbed into this great coastal melting pot.
Malindi & Watamu:
The small town of Malindi is at the center of a strip of idyllic tropical beaches offering the visitor a range of world class resorts and quiet relaxing hideaways. Further south, the sleepy village of Watamu is fronted by wide white beaches.
This tranquil haven is home to several well established resorts, and many private guesthouses scattered through the forest along the deserted shore. At Watamu; a Marine National Park has been established, an ideal day trip for divers and snorkelers alike.
This tranquil haven is home to several well established resorts, and many private guesthouses scattered through the forest along the deserted shore. At Watamu; a Marine National Park has been established, an ideal day trip for divers and snorkelers alike.
Watamu has been voted as one of the top 10 beaches in the world by CNN. It is not only the beach, it is the National Marine Park, coral reef and sheltered lagoons teeming with exotic fish that provide a wonderful rich environment to discover and explore!
Northwest of Malindi is the spectacular Marafa Depression, locally known as Nyari and popularly known as Hell's Kitchen. An extensive series of sandstone gorges and sheer gullies, this unique and otherworldly landscape has become part of local folklore.
The thick jungles of the Arabuko Sokoke Forest reserve hide a world of wonders. In the cool of the forest winding paths will take you in search of rare endemic birds and mammals, and visiting herds of Elephant.
The forest holds another secret, the lost town of Gedi, a deserted trading Swahili town hidden deep in the forests, whose winding passages and crumbling walls tell of a long and mysterious past. Walk through the Forest, explore the mangroves by boat, dive on the reef or try your hand at big game fishing. At the North coast you have all these choices and more, with the space and freedom to relax, unwind, and soak up the atmosphere.
The thick jungles of the Arabuko Sokoke Forest reserve hide a world of wonders. In the cool of the forest winding paths will take you in search of rare endemic birds and mammals, and visiting herds of Elephant.
The forest holds another secret, the lost town of Gedi, a deserted trading Swahili town hidden deep in the forests, whose winding passages and crumbling walls tell of a long and mysterious past. Walk through the Forest, explore the mangroves by boat, dive on the reef or try your hand at big game fishing. At the North coast you have all these choices and more, with the space and freedom to relax, unwind, and soak up the atmosphere.
North Coast including Mombasa and Malindi Activities:
Water Sports:
The coastal resorts of the North Coast offer a full range of water sports including sailing, water-skiing, jet-skiing, para-sailing and more. Nyali, Vipingo, Kikambala and Shanzu are home to a wide range of World Class resorts with fine cuisine and services.
The coastal resorts of the North Coast offer a full range of water sports including sailing, water-skiing, jet-skiing, para-sailing and more. Nyali, Vipingo, Kikambala and Shanzu are home to a wide range of World Class resorts with fine cuisine and services.Nyali Beach, north of Mombasa is a 11.5 kms stretch of white powdery sand with a reef 2km offshore that provides a natural lagoon for kite surfing – ideal for starting out or learning to perfect more advanced kite surfing moves.
Boating/Sailing:
A range of boats can be hired to explore the coast, including Hobie cats and sailing skiffs. Sea Kayaks are also widely available, and are ideal for exploring remote coves and sheltered bays. Kilifi Creek is a good place for those looking to charter yachts. Both yachts and crews are available for private charter. The coast of Kenya is a great place to explore by yacht, or the perfect base from which to set sail for Zanzibar to the South or the Red Sea to the North. Other yachting anchorages along the coast include Mtwapa, Shimoni and Mombasa.
SCUBA Diving and Snorkeling:
Boating/Sailing:
A range of boats can be hired to explore the coast, including Hobie cats and sailing skiffs. Sea Kayaks are also widely available, and are ideal for exploring remote coves and sheltered bays. Kilifi Creek is a good place for those looking to charter yachts. Both yachts and crews are available for private charter. The coast of Kenya is a great place to explore by yacht, or the perfect base from which to set sail for Zanzibar to the South or the Red Sea to the North. Other yachting anchorages along the coast include Mtwapa, Shimoni and Mombasa.
SCUBA Diving and Snorkeling:
Diving in Kenya is generally good all year round, although visibility lessens during July and August due to silting and high seas. The weather is consistently warm and sunny, with excellent balmy water temperature that makes for ideal dive conditions.
The coast North of Mombasa has several world class dive sites. Some of the best sites are in the Watamu Marine National Park- a well protected and managed area. The reef here is close to shore, meaning easily accessible shallow coral gardens that are ideal for learners and snorkellers.
The outer reef has some fine drop offs, with sheer walls, and large brain corals attracting consistently abundant sea life. Dives on the central Turtle Reef average at around 10-15 metres, with high spiking coral heads attracting large shoals of colourful parrot and surgeon fish. You will occasionally sight a few white-tip reef sharks that are in residence on the reef.
This area is an important egg laying site for the endangered Green sea Turtle, which lay on the beaches at Watamu several times a year, and they are often seen around this reef. Nearby Moray Reef has a breathtaking overhang dropping 28 metres to a sandy bottom. The coral here is a refuge for octopus and eel, and a massive semi-tame moray. The sharp reef edge has plenty of nudibranch, angel fish, tang, and the occasional grouper or barracuda.
An excellent all round dive site is the Canyon, a long sandy channel at 28m, bordered on each side by deep drop-offs. There is an impressive arch covered with soft corals, and the reef walls are always alive with trevalies and snapper.
Diving into the channel itself is a good way to find rays and reef sharks. Whale Sharks pass through this year each year from October- February, with good sightings reported each day. Migratory pods of Whales from Southern Africa pass through this area during the months of June- September, and are often seen breaching in deep water beyond the reefs.
A little further South towards Kilifi, there are good sites at Mtwapa and Barracuda Reef. The outer edges here have large shoals of angel and butterfly fish, and there have been occasional sighting of the world’s largest shark- the spectacular Whale Shark- in these waters.
The adventurous diver will not want to miss dive, the Vuma Caves near Kilifi Creek. The caves are about 20 metres beneath the surface on the face of some seaside cliffs. The open sea around the entrance is a good place to spot dolphins, while the interior of the caves is a refuge for eels, some very large grouper and barracuda. After exploring the caves, divers exit through a 10 metre chimney to emerge through a hole in the reef above.
South of Mombasa, there are dive sites ranged along the coast from Tiwi south to Shimoni. Some of the best sites are centred around Kisiite Mpunguti Marine Reserve. This area is your best chance to sight some of the largest Manta Rays on the East African coast.
For experienced divers, the best option here is Nyulli Reef. This is a good deep dive with strong tidal currents which allow drifts through spectacular coral, snapper, barracuda, rare zebra sharks and massive Napoleon wrasse. A much easier dive is Kisiite Point. There is plenty of large, tame shoals to be found here, with average dive depth of around 12 metres. Divers at Kisiite often encounter hawksbill turtles and bottlenose dolphins.
A good excursion for both diving and snorkelling is a day dhow trip to Wasini Island, within the reserve- easily arranged from Diani or Shimoni. This usually includes snorkelling and/or diving, and a seafood lunch on the island.
This is makes for a relaxing day trip, with dolphins often accompanying the dhow through the reserve, and the interior of the island itself well worth exploring. In the island archipelagos of Northern Kenya, around Lamu and Manda, new dive sites are currently being explored and made accessible, opening a new frontier for the underwater adventurer.
Fishing:
Big game fishing is widely available on the North coast. There are plenty of qualified operators in Bamburi, Mtwapa and Kilifi. Excellent boats with state of the art equipment are available for full and half day charter. The main game fish include Sailfish and Marlin, Kingfish, Wahoo, Horse Mackerel and others. A tag and release program ensures Eco-friendly fishing. Big game fishing can be arranged in season (December-March).
View our Kenya Suggested Itineraries to get some ideas or email us to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. now.
The coast North of Mombasa has several world class dive sites. Some of the best sites are in the Watamu Marine National Park- a well protected and managed area. The reef here is close to shore, meaning easily accessible shallow coral gardens that are ideal for learners and snorkellers.
The outer reef has some fine drop offs, with sheer walls, and large brain corals attracting consistently abundant sea life. Dives on the central Turtle Reef average at around 10-15 metres, with high spiking coral heads attracting large shoals of colourful parrot and surgeon fish. You will occasionally sight a few white-tip reef sharks that are in residence on the reef.
This area is an important egg laying site for the endangered Green sea Turtle, which lay on the beaches at Watamu several times a year, and they are often seen around this reef. Nearby Moray Reef has a breathtaking overhang dropping 28 metres to a sandy bottom. The coral here is a refuge for octopus and eel, and a massive semi-tame moray. The sharp reef edge has plenty of nudibranch, angel fish, tang, and the occasional grouper or barracuda.
An excellent all round dive site is the Canyon, a long sandy channel at 28m, bordered on each side by deep drop-offs. There is an impressive arch covered with soft corals, and the reef walls are always alive with trevalies and snapper.
Diving into the channel itself is a good way to find rays and reef sharks. Whale Sharks pass through this year each year from October- February, with good sightings reported each day. Migratory pods of Whales from Southern Africa pass through this area during the months of June- September, and are often seen breaching in deep water beyond the reefs.
A little further South towards Kilifi, there are good sites at Mtwapa and Barracuda Reef. The outer edges here have large shoals of angel and butterfly fish, and there have been occasional sighting of the world’s largest shark- the spectacular Whale Shark- in these waters.
The adventurous diver will not want to miss dive, the Vuma Caves near Kilifi Creek. The caves are about 20 metres beneath the surface on the face of some seaside cliffs. The open sea around the entrance is a good place to spot dolphins, while the interior of the caves is a refuge for eels, some very large grouper and barracuda. After exploring the caves, divers exit through a 10 metre chimney to emerge through a hole in the reef above.
South of Mombasa, there are dive sites ranged along the coast from Tiwi south to Shimoni. Some of the best sites are centred around Kisiite Mpunguti Marine Reserve. This area is your best chance to sight some of the largest Manta Rays on the East African coast.
For experienced divers, the best option here is Nyulli Reef. This is a good deep dive with strong tidal currents which allow drifts through spectacular coral, snapper, barracuda, rare zebra sharks and massive Napoleon wrasse. A much easier dive is Kisiite Point. There is plenty of large, tame shoals to be found here, with average dive depth of around 12 metres. Divers at Kisiite often encounter hawksbill turtles and bottlenose dolphins.
A good excursion for both diving and snorkelling is a day dhow trip to Wasini Island, within the reserve- easily arranged from Diani or Shimoni. This usually includes snorkelling and/or diving, and a seafood lunch on the island.
This is makes for a relaxing day trip, with dolphins often accompanying the dhow through the reserve, and the interior of the island itself well worth exploring. In the island archipelagos of Northern Kenya, around Lamu and Manda, new dive sites are currently being explored and made accessible, opening a new frontier for the underwater adventurer.
Fishing:
Big game fishing is widely available on the North coast. There are plenty of qualified operators in Bamburi, Mtwapa and Kilifi. Excellent boats with state of the art equipment are available for full and half day charter. The main game fish include Sailfish and Marlin, Kingfish, Wahoo, Horse Mackerel and others. A tag and release program ensures Eco-friendly fishing. Big game fishing can be arranged in season (December-March).
View our Kenya Suggested Itineraries to get some ideas or email us to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. now.