The coast is an area of extensive sandy beaches with coral reefs. Hotels line the coast both to the North and South of Mombassa. Mombassa is the major entry point for the Kenyan Coast. Diani Beach is the main resort area south of Mombassa and Malindi and Lamu to the North of Mombassa.
The reefs on the coast make for calm waters on all beaches. Travel along the coast is easy by hire car or using taxis, matatus or buses. Many of the coast hotels operate a shuttle service to Mombassa.
Diani Beach
Diani Beach is the most developed beach on the south coast with many hotels. A palm fringed beach with white sand and clear waters. The coral reef is a 10 minute boat ride from the shore or can be reached by swimming out from the beach. Diani Beach is a well developed tourist area and lots of restaurants, tours and tourism infrastructure. South of Diani Beach is Kisite Marine National Park with coral reefs and a good chance to see dolphins and whales between August and September. Lots of accommodation is available to suit all budgets.
Kilifi
Kilifi is an estuary and popular yachting haven south of Malindi. Kilifi is the place to charter yachts.
Lamu
Lanna is a small island some 200km north of Malindi with a strong Muslim and Arabic tradition. There are no cars on Lamu and the buildings are built in a distinct Lamu style two or three stories high. Lamu is a popular tourist destination and donkey rides, dhow trips, snorkeling and walks around the island will keep you busy.
Malindi
Malindi has been a major trading centre for many years dating back to the 10th Century and now a major tourist resort. Malindi forms the centre of a number of beaches with Watamu to the south. Malindi National park has some easy to view coral using glass bottom boats which can be rented from Casuarina Point, but do bargain for a fair price.
To the north west of Malindi is the Marafa depression called Hell's Kitchen named because of the sandstone gorges and sheer gullies. The Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama landed in Malindi in 1498 and erected the Vasco da Gama Pillar which still stands. Malindi is connected by air to Nairobi, Lamu and Mombassa.
Malindi has plenty of attractions and very geared towards tourism. There is a snake and crocodile farm at Causuarina (042 20121); the Malindi Museum includes the House of Columns; Falconry of Kenya (0722 346491) with falcons and eagles and the old and small Portuguese Chapel of St Francis Xavier.
Mombassa
Mombassa is a tropical port with a history that dates back to the Romans and described in more detail by clicking here..
North Coast Beaches
There are a few beaches between Mombassa and Mtwapa Creek with many hotels. Resorts are found at Nyali, Bamburi,Vipingo and Kikambala. Nyali is the closest resort town to Mombassa with a number of hotels and long beach.
Shelly Beach
Shelly beach is south of Mombassa and the closest beach to Mombassa.
Tana River Delta
At the far northern end of the coast the Tana River forms a delta and is an expansive wilderness area. An abundance of wildlife, birds, crocodiles and hippos can be seen. The Tana River Delta takes about three hours to reach from Malindi. Accommodation is very limited and the only place to stay is the Tana Delta Camp. Boats can be hired from the camp.
Tiwi Beach
A quiet beach on the south coast beyond Likoni. Popular with locals in the holiday season and often quiet the rest of the time. Accommodation is available at Maweni Beach Cottages (041 3300012) ; Coral Cove Cottages (041 3205195) and Tiwi Beach Resort (041 3202801).
Watamu
Watamu is popular due to the snorkeling in the marine national park and is 25 km south of Malindi. Easy to snorkel off the beach, but do make sure that you have purchased a marine park ticket, normally available from your hotel. Nearby is the Arabuko Sokoke Forest with bird life enjoyed from walking trails. The Kipepeo Butterfly project where 150 community butterfly farmers collect butterflies from the Arabuko Sokoke forest and then breed from them and export the pupae. The farm is open daily and butterflies can be seen and the work being undertaken. The Bio Ken Snake farm is a not for profit snake farm that also provides day safaris looking for snakes.
The Gedi ruins are just south of Watamu. A collection of palaces, houses and mosques that was a busy town in the 13th Century. The city was abandoned in the 1800's and the reasons are not entirely clear but probably due to attacks from the tribes in Somalia and Malawi. The site was only rediscovered in the 1920's as forest had hidden the city. The ruins cover an extensive area.
