Best Beaches In Kenya

Turquoise paradise Beach holidays in
the Kenyan Riviera

The Kenyan Riviera is the perfect holiday destination. Here you will find the best beaches in Kenya. If you're looking to relax on a long stretch of fine white sand, the beaches of the Kenyan Riviera are the ideal place for your next holiday.

The beaches of the Kenyan coast also offer the best experiences for the more adventurous, with its incredible sandy beaches and crystal clear waters you can enjoy the best location to practice all kinds of water activities during your holiday.

On the Kenyan Riviera, you can also enjoy the exotic nature of the African continent. The best safaris in the country are close by. You can get up close and personal with the Big Five, the wildlife of the savannah and discover the wide variety of birds that inhabit the area.

Top Beaches 6 Best beaches
in Kenya

Whether you're looking for a quiet getaway or exciting water activities, the beaches of Kenya's coastline invite you to enjoy a tropical paradise with an unforgettable African touch. Discover below our selection of the best beaches on the Kenyan Riviera.

Golden Sands

Stunning beach 4 km from Malindi

Watamu Beach

An unmissable spot for snorkelling enthusiasts

Bofa Beach

One of the most popular beaches in Kilifi

Love Island, Watamu

A unique place in Kenya

Kuruwitu Beach

A beautiful beach near Vipingo

Kikambala Beach

A paradise on the outskirts of Mombasa Province

Golden Sands beach with a starfish on the shore

Golden Sands

A wild beach of fine white sand, about 4km from the city of Malindi, Kenya. Its kilometres of coastline make it an unspoiled and secluded enclave, perfect for enjoying one of the most spectacular golden sunsets with your partner or family. As it is an open beach, it is usually windy in the afternoon. Nearby you can find some hostels, holiday apartments and resorts.

Beach and cliffs in the Watamu Beach area

Watamu Beach

Watamu has one of the most stunning beaches on the Kenyan Riviera. This extraordinary place mixes areas covered with high rocky cliffs and spectacular long beaches of fine sand and crystal clear water.

In the rocky areas, one of the best things to do is to explore this unique place on the Kenyan coast. The high tide is beautiful, with the waves crashing on the rocks.

In the sandy beach areas, you will find the ideal place to relax, enjoy family time or water sports.

Beach with clear skies and small rocks with vegetation on them

Bofa Beach

Bofa Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Kilifi, a town on the Kenyan Riviera. It is known for its pure white sandy shores, crystal clear waters and scenic views. Bofa Beach stretches for several kilometres and offers a calm and relaxing environment for visitors, perfect for sunbathing, swimming and strolling along the shore.

Bofa Beach is located approximately 3 kilometres northeast of Kilifi town. Snorkelling, fishing, paddleboarding and sunset and sunrise activities are all available from this beach paradise.

Beach with clear skies and palm trees across it

Love Island, Watamu

The fascinating Love Islands, located off the coast of Watamu, are heart-shaped islands that emerge off the coast of Watamu at low tide. This unique place can only be visited at certain times of the day.

On your visit to the Love Island you can enjoy the sandy beaches, a strip of sand that appears and disappears with the tides, where you can spend the day immersed in the waters of the natural pools or enjoy the shade of the majestic rocks that characterise Watamu Beach.

Small boat on the shore of Kuruwitu Beach

Kuruwitu Beach

Kuruwitu Beach is located near Vipingo. This beach is the perfect beach front destination for your family holiday. A long stretch of fine white sand, where you can relax with your loved ones.

This unique location by the Indian Ocean has a marine sanctuary, the Kuruwitu Marine Sanctuary. It is a marine protection and conservation area, managed by the community that lives in this small town in the Kilifi district. It is also one of the oldest protected areas in Kenya.

In its reefs you will find an exotic fauna, made up of more than 200 different species, and spectacular marine flora that inhabits this space.

Palm trees and people in the crystal clear water of Kikambala Beach

Kikambala Beach

Kikambala Beach on the outskirts of Mombasa Province is a quiet, uncrowded place to relax on its white sand and long coastline. Kikambala Beach is a long beach of fine sand and crystal clear waters, the ideal place to relax on the Indian Ocean during your Kenyan Riviera holiday.

The turquoise waters of this beach are lined with reefs, a great place for diving and snorkelling. The best way to get to Kikambala Beach is by Matatu, a local minibus.

Water adventures Experience water sports
in the Kenyan Riviera

The Kenyan Riviera is a water sports enthusiast's paradise, offering a wide variety of exciting activities to enjoy in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. From surface relaxation to underwater excitement, you will find something for all tastes and levels of experience here.

Kitesurf

The Kenyan coast offers excellent conditions for kitesurfing, with its beautiful beaches, warm waters and consistent winds. Watamu and Malindi are the perfect destination in Kenya for kitesurfers.

In both Malindi and Watamu, you will find a variety of kitesurfing related services such as schools, equipment shops and rentals. The trade winds blow steadily during the kitesurfing season, which runs from December to March.

Deep-sea Fishing

Kenya offers deep-sea fishing enthusiasts the opportunity to catch various species of fish such as marlin, tuna, dorado and others.

The main destinations for big game fishing are Watamu and Malindi, where you will find companies offering well-established fishing charters with experienced guides.

The peak season for deep-sea fishing tends to be from October to April, when migratory fish such as billfish and tuna are abundant.

Snorkel & scuba diving

The Kenyan Riviera is a fantastic destination for both snorkelling and scuba diving, thanks to its stunning Indian Ocean coastline.

The best places to snorkel and scuba dive is the Watamu National Marine Park, known for its vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life. Snorkellers can explore the shallow reefs close to shore.

Also of note is the Malindi National Marine Park

Windsurf

Malindi and Watamu are the prime areas in Kenya for windsurfing. There are several water sports centres in Malindi and Watamu where you can get information on windsurfing conditions, equipment hire and lessons for beginners.

The most favourable time for windsurfing is usually the northeast monsoon from December to March. During this period, the trade winds blow constantly, providing optimal conditions for windsurfing.

Ski & jet ski

Jet skiing has become more and more popular along the Kenyan coast in recent years. Malindi and Watamu are ideal for jet skiing.

There are multiple jet ski service providers in both Malindi and Watamu, where you will find the ideal jet ski to discover the unique experience of the Kenyan coastline.

Sailing

Dhow sailing along the Kenyan coast can be an unforgettable memory... Watamu and Malindi are the areas of the Kenyan Riviera where Dhow excursions are available to explore the coastline from an unparalleled perspective.

Excursions from this location often include visits to Malindi Marine National Park and Watamu Marine National Park, unique places to experience the marine flora and fauna of the area.

Paddle surf

Paddle Surfing is one of the most popular sports on the Kenyan coast. The best place to paddle surf in the Kenyan Riviera is Watamu.

In Watamu there are several tour operators and water sports centres offering paddle board rentals, lessons and guided tours. Paddle surfing on the Kenyan coast allows you to explore the coastline, enjoy the scenic beauty and observe marine life as you glide across the water.

Kenya coasts Much more than
stunning beaches

In addition to the dreamy beaches, the Kenya Coast has many other wonders to lose yourself in. The town of Kilifi is an unparalleled spot surrounded by waters that can only be crossed by boat through the mangroves that surround it. One of the best options is to take a ride on a dhow, Africa's traditional fishing boats.

In Malindi you'll find the Vasco de Gama Pillar, a coral sculpture erected after the Portuguese explorer's arrival in the coastal town during his voyage to India.

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Sea fauna of the Kenyan coast
Sailing boat dhow off the coast of Kenya

Diving in Kenya Malindi and Watamu
National Parks

Malindi and Watamu National Parks is a protected area on the Coast of Kenya. These two unified parks cover 260 square kilometres. In the depths of the Indian Ocean you will find a hidden treasure beneath the waters.

Kenya's coastline hides an underwater world full of wonders and biodiversity. One of the planet's greatest underwater treasures is its stunning coral reefs. These fragile and diverse ecosystems are home to an astonishing array of marine species, from multi-coloured tropical fish to graceful rays and majestic sea turtles.

Discover more

From Malindi to Kikambala The best beaches
of Kenyan Riviera

In the Kenyan Riviera you will find long dreamy beaches with crystal-clear waters and fine white sand where you can relax during your stay.

The most famous beaches on the Kenyan Riviera are Golden Sands (1), which is located in the Malindi region. In Watamu, you'll find dreamy spots such as Love Island (2) or Watamu Beach (3). In the Kikambala region are Bofa Beach (4), Kuruwitu Beach (5) and Kikambala Beach (6).

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