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Traveling with kids in Kenya: favorite beaches

Lions and elephants, baobab trees, red dusty earth, colorful Masai, and vast savannas. That’s what first comes to mind when you think of Kenya. But Kenya is so much more than that! With a bucket and spade, your toddler can amuse themselves for hours on the pristine white beaches, your school-aged kids can snorkel in the turquoise sea searching for Nemo, your teenager will always find Wi-Fi almost everywhere, while you relax in a hammock strung between the palm trees. That’s the 450 kilometers of Kenya’s coast!

Charlie's Travels | Travel Story | Traveling with kids in Kenya: favorite beaches

The perfect way to end your holiday

Kenya is famous for its Big Five, and let’s be honest—you can’t leave this country without experiencing a safari. But how amazing is it to wash off the dust from the bumpy roads in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean? The Kenyan coast is the perfect place to end your trip, unwind, relax, and take in all the incredible experiences.

Finding Nemo and Finding Dory!

With over 600 species of fish and 300 types of coral, Watamu boasts one of East Africa’s most stunning Marine Parks. Armed with a snorkel and mask, your child can explore for hours in the warm waters, always above 20°C. If snorkeling feels a bit too daring, hop on a glass-bottom boat and watch sea turtles glide beneath you. With some luck, the skipper might even catch fresh fish for a private barbecue on board!

Tips for kids who aren’t big fans of swimming

To prevent your child from turning into a wrinkled, sun-kissed sea creature from endless floating in the ocean—or if your kids aren’t big fans of swimming—Joep recommends the Mwamba Conservation Centre. Here, your child can take a rock-pooling lesson, search for the rare elephant shrew in the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, or help with bird counting. If you don’t mind a bit of community-style living, you can also stay overnight and join in for meals. RedCharlie

Diani: The Gem of the Indian Ocean

Diani is an all-time favorite for Dutch families, especially with a private house instead of a hotel. Yoon, Annemarie, Joep, Yga, and Marion love it here. Marion says, “You have plenty of space, and when the kids are in bed, you can enjoy the stars with your feet in the sand instead of being stuck on a tiny balcony.” Most houses come with a cook and a housekeeper. If not, book them separately! Yoon adds that one of the perks is the personal connection you build with the staff: “The gardener climbs a tree to pick coconuts, and the cook brings a fisherman so you can choose the freshly caught fish for dinner.” To unwind from the hustle and bustle of Nairobi, Ayan recommends Travellers Beach Hotel & Club: “We love it here because the people are very friendly. There’s a small pool for toddlers, a larger pool for bigger kids, and the beach is just a minute away!”

But, there's more than just the beach!

Even if your house has all the luxury, a pool, and the sea at your doorstep, it’s worth leaving your private paradise occasionally because Diani offers so much more. Let your teenager take a three-day kitesurfing lesson or rent a quad, take a traditional dhow to Wasini Island, or hike to the waterfalls in the Shimba Hills rainforest. Culinary delights are also abundant in Diani. Livington and Nomads are Yga’s favorites. These restaurants are right on the beach, so your kids can play in the sand while you peacefully enjoy a delicious meal.

Still some culture sniffing

Mombasa, Kenya's second-largest city, is an island off the coast, only accessible by bridges or boat. It’s a melting pot of diverse cultures, offering an explosion of colors, smells, and experiences. Ayan, who has lived in Mombasa for 5 years with her family, enjoys the vibrant city every day. "In Mombasa, you don’t necessarily have to do anything—just walking around the streets offers plenty to see and experience." For example, in Old Town, you’ll be mesmerized by the fragrant markets, colorful African fabrics, and tantalizing food. And don’t miss Fort Jesus, where your kids can roam among the cannons of this former fort and slave house. Mombasa

This blog series: Kenya with your Kids

This blog is part of a series about how amazing it is to travel with your kids in Kenya. Kenya has something for everyone. Want to be active? There are plenty of awesome hikes, mountain biking routes, and water sports opportunities. Want to relax? Pristine white beaches and crystal-clear seas await you on the coast, while the incredibly helpful and child-friendly Kenyans take care of your little ones. Looking for adventure? Camp among the wildlife, or experience life as the real Masai during a tribal trek. Want to avoid malaria areas? No problem, there are plenty of options to fill three weeks with unforgettable experiences! Yes, you need to be a bit flexible, but hey, you’d need to be on any vacation, right? In exchange, you'll get an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience! I’ve lived in Kenya since 2014 and have two daughters, aged 2 and 6 months. But to not speak only from my own experience, I’ve spoken to some ‘experts’: other Dutch families who live with their children in Kenya.
  • Cornelia has lived in Kenya for 30 years with her two children, aged 10 and 12. She works as a personal assistant at the French School in Nairobi.
  • Jessica moved from South Africa to Kenya last year and now lives here with her 13-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son.
  • Janet moved to Kenya 8 years ago for love and now has two sons, aged 2 and 5.
  • Joep made Kenya his home 15 years ago and lives here with his three children, aged 11, 10, and 8. He runs Expats to Expats.
  • Ayan moved to Mombasa to be closer to her mother. She has daughters aged 19, 17, 15, 6, 5, 3, and 1, and a 13-year-old son.
  • Annemarie has lived in Nairobi for two years with her 8-year-old daughter and rents out her house in Diani.
  • Yga moved to Kenya for work two years ago with her family. She is the mother of a 4-year-old daughter and a 2.5-year-old son, and they are expecting their third.
  • Yoon is an IT specialist who moved to Kenya with his wife a year and a half ago. He has three children: an 18-year-old daughter, a 14-year-old son, and a 7-year-old son.
  • Marion moved to Kenya 30 years ago and has four children, aged 27, 24, 21, and 15. She is the founder of the Sarakasi Trust.

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