Kenya is well known due to its rich culture, beautiful scenery and wild life. Although most tourists visit the country because of its classic safari and national parks, the coastline of Kenya has plenty of natural landscapes, history and memorable moments that are equally stimulating. The Kenya Coast which extends along the Indian Ocean is a paradise of the beach lovers, adventure seekers and curiosity about the past among other interests. The Places to Visit Along the Kenya Coast have something to offer any traveler with their intentions to relax and have fun on the white beaches, visit the ancient towns or simply immerse to the various cultural aspects.
Here’s a guide to the Top 10 Places to Visit Along the Kenya Coast that will ensure you make the most of this tropical paradise:
1. Diani Beach – A Tropical Paradise.
Diani Beach is one of the most recognized beach spots in Kenya that could not be listed in the collection of Places to Visit Along the Kenya Coast. Diani is a popular resort to the south of Mombasa with its white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and a low-key vibe which makes Diani a perfect holiday destination.
Diani is ideal in case one wants to be able to relax by the beach, go swimming or watch water sports like kite surfing, scuba diving, and snorkeling. Diani coral reefs are known to be very rich with marine life which includes colorful fish, sea turtles and dolphins. Other attractions that you can visit are the Shimba Hills National Reserve, located within Wami River, and it is home to elephants, leopards, and various bird species.
Diani is also fully equipped with luxury resorts, boutique hotels, and private villas which provide a variety of accommodation to various budgets. Another nice experience would be to stay in a beachfront resort or choose to have the eco-lodges that are geared towards sustainability but with direct access to the beautiful beaches.
2. Mombassa -The Cultural Heart of the coast.
The city of Mombasa is considered as one of the most historically important locations in Kenya and the second-largest city in the country. As a melting pot of cultures, Mombasa is a good place to go to as a traveler who would like to feel the rich heritage of Kenya.
Begin your trip with visiting old town, which is a tangle of small streets, colonial houses and Swahili style buildings which describe the history of Mombasa. Go to the Fort Jesus Museum which is a Portuguese fort built in the 16 th century and has been very instrumental to the colonial history of the region. Mandhry Mosque and Hindu Temples are other attractions to individuals who are interested in spirituality.
To be in touch with nature, Haller Park, a former limestone quarry that has been transformed into a prosperous nature reserve with giraffes, hippos and tortoises is a good place to visit. Mombasa is an exciting and great place also characterized by colorful markets and a busy port that offer you a peep into its importance in trade and commerce in the East African coast.
3. Island Archaeological Lamu Island -UNESCO World Heritage.
Lamu Island, situated off the North coast of Kenya is one of the places where time appears to be frozen. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the oldest towns in Kenya and is a good quiet and inimitable breakout of the modern life. Lamu boasts of beautiful beaches, historical places, and richness of culture.
Lamu Town has narrow lanes, old-fashioned Swahili architecture and colorful markets where local residents sell their handcrafted products. There are no cars in the island and thus one has to walk, ride a donkey or even take a boat to lead a life back into a time machine.
You can not afford to miss the beauty of the Shela Beach where you can cool off along the turquoise waters or hire a dhow boat to do tours around the surrounding islands. The Lamu Cultural festival is another offering organized every year in honor of the rich Swahili culture of the island through admiring music, dancing and traditional games.
4. Watamu – A Hidden Gem for Nature Lovers
Watamu, on the Kenyan side of the North-eastern coastline, is a small seaside resort that boasts a less crowded and less fussy ambiance than its larger tourist brother. It has one of the best locations to visit in the Kenya coast as far as marine lovers are concerned as it has got beautiful beaches, and its waters are as crystal clear as possible and it is near Watamu Marine National Park.
The beaches at Watamu are perfect when it comes to sunbathing, snorkeling and diving as the coral reefs of the beaches are bright and have a lot of marine life. The Watamu Marine National Park presents so much to see by visiting coral gardens and meeting sea turtles and swimming in the reef schools of colorful fish. Additionally, to have a change in the landscape, one can visit the Arabuko Sokoke Forest which is one of the largest coastal forests in East Africa, which hosts some of the rare species of birds, monkeys, and other wildlife.
There is also a line of luxury beachfront resort at Watanu hence it is the best place to have a natural-authentic vacation.
5. Malindi – A Blend of Culture and Relaxation
Malindi is a North Coast resort town that has existed as a preferred resort area to the tourists. The town presents a distinct culture, history, and natural beauty hence making it one of the best Places to Visit Along the Kenya Coast.
Malindi boasts of historical importance, and its Gedi Ruins, the remnants of an old Swahili town, can be a very intriguing look into the history of the area. Also Malindi Marine National Park has a good snorkeling, diving as well as boat touring where dolphins, turtles and variety of fish can be viewed.
Other than its historical and natural sites, Malindi has a very laid back beach with good accommodation facilities, such as resorts, hotels and personal villas.
6. Tsavo West National Park – Safari on the Coast.
Though it is not directly on the coast, the Tsavo West National Park is one of the best tourist destinations in case you want to have both a safari adventure and a coastal holiday at the same time. Covering an area of approximately one hour drive off the city of Mombasa, the Tsavo West hosts a large population of animals such as elephants, lion, giraffe and rhinos.
The area of the park is as diverse as its fauna including volcanic hills, savannah grasslands and vegetation. Parks attractions are the Mzima Springs where one can see hippos and crocodiles and the Sheldrick falls which is a nice way of forgetting the world and relaxing under the trees.
Upon the exploration of the park, return to the coast where you are bound to rest in the beaches of either Diani or Malindi following your safari adventure.
7. Pate Island – A Serene Retreat
To the people who want to abandon the city to a less-visited and more serene place, Pate Island, about 10 km off the coast of northern Kenya is an eye opener of sorts. This remote island is a serene resort, with beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters and cultural experience of its own.
Pate Island is not highly commercialized as compared to some other Kenyan coastline and thus suitable to individuals who need a place to relax and enjoy nature. It has ancient Swahili ruins, and you can see the local villages, communicate with local people and get to know about their traditional lifestyle. The white beaches are ideal to relax and the island is good to view birds, play kayaking and snorkeling.
8. Sambaru national reserve- Exotic safari adventure.
Samburu National Reserve is another thrilling destination though not very much on the coast, but close to Kenya coast. This Northern reserve is in the north of the country and it has an experience of exotic safari which has a unique landscape and wildlife. It is the home of animals that can hardly be found elsewhere in Kenya such as the reticulated giraffe, Grevy zebra and Somali ostrich.
The reserve is close to the Ewaso Nyiro River that introduces a variety of wildlife mostly during the dry seasons. The cultural experience is further facilitated by the rich culture of Samburu people that enjoys giving the visitors opportunity to interact with the local communities and gain knowledge on their traditional way of life.
9. Vanga Island A relaxing escape.
Another quiet place that is worth visiting is Vanga Island, which is close to the borders of Tanzania and fits very well those who demand nature, peace and retreat. Having an ancient history and attractiveness, this island has beautiful beaches, snorkeling, and diving on its crystal-clear waters.
Vanga offers great places of birdwatching with different species of migratory birds passing by throughout the year. The remote nature of the Island enables people to enjoy nature and abundant marine life in Kenya without the hustles and bustles.
10. The Kisite-Mpunguti Sea national park – Underwater exploration.
Last, underwater explorers have a beautiful destination in the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park that is in the coast of the southern region of Kenya. There is a wide variety of marine life associated with this marine park such as dolphins, turtles and the colorful coral reefs. Snorkeling and scuba diving are among the best activities in the park, which provides the best experiences of the underwater world in the coast.
There is a boat ride to the park where dolphins can be seen and the waters are not rough thus can be enjoyed by water sports people. It is also not crowded so that one has a more peaceful and intimate experience.
Conclusion
The coast of Kenya is an ocean of natural beauty, ancestry, and heritage. Located among the sandy beaches of Diani and Lamu, the historical marvels of Malindi and Mombasa, the Places to Visit Along the Kenya Coast can provide any kind of traveler with a great variety of experiences. The Kenya Coast has it all whenever you are willing to spend some time in the country, whether on beach holidays, cultural tours, or in sea voyages.
By including these Top 10 Places to Visit Along the Kenya Coast in your itinerary, you’ll be able to explore the vibrant and multifaceted attractions of one of Africa’s most enchanting coastlines.
