Mombasa is the gateway to Kenya's north coast beaches and has a number of its own beaches to enjoy. Other well known beach towns are Malindi, Watamu, Nyali & Bamburi.
The north coast 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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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:
Divers will not be disappointed on the North coast. There are several world class dive sites. Diving is generally good all year round, although visibility lessens during July and August due to silting and high seas. Best sites are at Mtwapa and Barracuda Reef. These are some particularly good outer reef dives, with long drop offs and plenty of life on the walls. On the outer edge of Barracuda reef there are large shoals of angel and butterfly fish, and the occasional green turtle or massive whale shark are seen here.
In February-March each year, there are almost guaranteed sightings of Whale Sharks on outer reef dives along the Kenyan Coast. The whale shark is the largest fish in the world, measuring up to 18 meters and weigh up to 20 tons. It feeds on platonic creatures and small fish, and has only tiny teeth.
Africa's best wreck dive is found off Nyali Beach, just a short distance from Mombasa. The 80 metre MV Dania was scuttled by Buccaneer Diving offshore here in 2002. Lying in around 40 meters of water, the 3 story former cattle carrier is an ideal place for anyone wanting to try wreck diving for the first time, with the upper deck housing a purpose built obstacle course that serves as a training area for wreck diving
Experienced students.wreck divers can penetrate all 3 levels of the ship, before making an exit through the main funnel. The Dania has become a thriving artificial reef, home to an incredible diversity of marine life.
For a unique dive, the Vuma Caves should not be missed. This series of caves are found near Kilifi Creek, about 20 meters beneath the surface on the face of some seaside cliffs. The open sea here is a good place to spot dolphins, while the interior of the caves is a refuge for very large grouper and barracuda. After exploring the caves, divers exit through a 10 meter chimney to emerge into the reef above.
There are many dive operators in this area, both private and those attached to resorts. Equipment, boats, refills and dive guides are all provided. International PADI, NAUI and SSI standards of safety and quality are all maintained. Full courses with qualified instructors and international SCUBA certification are available.
There are plenty of shallow inner reef coral gardens for snorkeling and skin diving .
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 or Kenya Beach & Safari Special Offers to get some ideas or email us to customize your Kenya beach vacation now.
In February-March each year, there are almost guaranteed sightings of Whale Sharks on outer reef dives along the Kenyan Coast. The whale shark is the largest fish in the world, measuring up to 18 meters and weigh up to 20 tons. It feeds on platonic creatures and small fish, and has only tiny teeth.
Africa's best wreck dive is found off Nyali Beach, just a short distance from Mombasa. The 80 metre MV Dania was scuttled by Buccaneer Diving offshore here in 2002. Lying in around 40 meters of water, the 3 story former cattle carrier is an ideal place for anyone wanting to try wreck diving for the first time, with the upper deck housing a purpose built obstacle course that serves as a training area for wreck diving
Experienced students.wreck divers can penetrate all 3 levels of the ship, before making an exit through the main funnel. The Dania has become a thriving artificial reef, home to an incredible diversity of marine life.
For a unique dive, the Vuma Caves should not be missed. This series of caves are found near Kilifi Creek, about 20 meters beneath the surface on the face of some seaside cliffs. The open sea here is a good place to spot dolphins, while the interior of the caves is a refuge for very large grouper and barracuda. After exploring the caves, divers exit through a 10 meter chimney to emerge into the reef above.
There are many dive operators in this area, both private and those attached to resorts. Equipment, boats, refills and dive guides are all provided. International PADI, NAUI and SSI standards of safety and quality are all maintained. Full courses with qualified instructors and international SCUBA certification are available.
There are plenty of shallow inner reef coral gardens for snorkeling and skin diving .
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 or Kenya Beach & Safari Special Offers to get some ideas or email us to customize your Kenya beach vacation now.
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