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Kenyan coast

Kenya's fabulous coast: bright white bounty beaches on the Indian Ocean. Fly to cultural Lamu and sail through mangrove forests, go kitesurfing in Diani, read a book from your own beach villa in laid-back Kilifi or explore the underwater world of Watamu Marine Park. The Kenyan coast has it all!

Diani: the whitest beaches on the Kenyan Coast

Diani beach, arguably Kenya's most beautiful beach, is an hour and a half below Mombasa and there are slightly more tourists with strong-smelling sunscreen swarming around than you might be used to from Kenya. Here you will find the big resorts with breakfast buffets, hotels with instant coffee, beach clubs and kitesurfing schools. Despite all this bustle, it's far from Lloret de Mar, and you'll find that you can enjoy lovely peace and quiet on this stretch of Kenyan coast.

Watamu: the little italy of the Kenyan Coast

Watamu is a small fishing village 100 kilometres above Mombassa and only 25 kilometres below Malindi. The bays around the town are part of the Watamu Marine Park, which is considered one of the best snorkelling and diving areas in East Africa. Watamu has beautiful, beachfront accommodation, which means that within about a 10-metre walk across the pearly white beach you are standing with your feet in the Indian Ocean. During World War II, Italian regiments were stationed in this part of the Kenyan coast, so the cuisine here is unadulterated Italian in many places.

Kilifi: cosy hippy beach-vibez on the Kenyan Coast

Another option is Kilifi. The atmosphere here is more authentically African, tropical and colourful. Kilifi is known for its creek. The perfect place for all your favourite water sports activities. Sailing, surfing, wakeboarding, water-skiing, supboarding, kayaking, it's all possible on the beautiful Indian Ocean.

Kilifi New Year

Festival-goers take note: at the turn of the year, Kilifi New Year takes place here, on the Kenyan Coast. This is an African electronic, alternative and dub-reggae music festival, held under the stars and in the shade of the thousand-year-old Baobabs. The festival uses only sustainable and locally produced materials to build the grounds. You do your business on a compost toilet and are encouraged to bring your own cups or buy a recycled plastic cup. The beautifully decorated festival is the ideal place to dance tropically into the next year.

Lamu: an island with Arabic influences

High in the North along the Kenyan coast lies the Lamu Archipelago. A vast mangrove swamp with small fortresses accessible only by boat or plane. Two of the largest islands are also immediately the most famous: Lamu Island itself, and Manda. Lamu is Kenya's oldest inhabited town and the ultimate historic-cultural melting pot. Walking through the narrow alleys, you see Arab influences everywhere: beautifully decorated Swahili doorposts form the entrance to large courtyards. The narrow alleys are dominated by donkeys; you won't see cars here. Besides the rich culture and history, Lamu is also a great place to relax on the beach and sail on a traditional dhow, among the mangrove forests.

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