Looking at the specific detail of beach destinations in the country, the following is a list of the best beaches in Kenya.
While Kenya is world-renowned as a hotbed for nature and wildlife enthralled, there is more to this country than just the great and popular wildlife cover. Ranging from beautiful sandy beaches to historical towns and beautiful places of natural beauty, Kenya is indeed a tourists’ delight. Without further ado, here are the best that Kenya has to offer as far as beaches are a concern.
1. Diani: The dream shores
Picture this: it is as if you are just on the white sand beach with clear blue sea and all that you fancy is to do is lie down and do nothing. Diani Beach is the reality of those beautiful places that are depicted in travel magazines, for tourists to relax, learn to surf, or go snorkeling in one of the most outstanding coastal regions of Africa.
It is not only the eyes that get the colour burst with shining waters and powdery sand but Diani Beach is multicultural. This is one of the beach in Kenya whereby thefriendly nature of the people is complemented with intercontinental cuisines. Pretend you are having a tasty dinner including recipes based on the local specialties prepared with the addition of the foreign influences, all of this while being surrounded by fresh air, while seated outside with the sea view. This is an endorsement of exotic dishes within the jurisdiction without necessarily having to travel outside the country.
To those who have a little more adventurous spirit, Diani is the place to be. It is not only a process of lying on the beach and not paying attention to anything else (no matter how wonderful this is); it is an ideal place for_BEGINNING_ diving. That is especially clear water that could impeccably suit a sea dive or a snorkeling adventure. There are tours that you can take to go around and see the coral reefs, the bright colored fishes, turtles, and if one is lucky, the dolphin. Besides, it is a good chance to discover the necessity of the protection of ocean space.
To get the best out of your trip, blend a little of all the above. On additional spare time, a civil engineer can lounge around the beach, visit town, taste local foods, and swim in the sea. It will be a misfortune to overlook the local market for the arts and crafts and besides, contribute to the improvement of the same community. And, of course, do not forget the book for those warm afternoon, spent with a umbrella and palm tree nearby, and the camera for the memorable photos. Diani is not just physical location but rather is a whole package, an entire vacation.
This beach paradise is fairly easy to reach from Nairobi, especially by flights to Ukunda Airport that should take not more than an hour. For road lovers the distance from Nairobi physically will take about eight hours and physically funds the beauty of Kenya physical environment.
Best Time to Travel
Best time to travel to Diani Beach is in the period of July to October and in December to March. These are the dry months of the year and the days are usually sunny allowing for more engagement in outdoor activities and the exploring of the beaches.
Recommended Stay
In order to have the best of what Diani Beach can offer one in terms of leisure on the white sandy beaches and the extra activities like snorkeling, diving and other Kenya cultural activities, at least three to four days is advisable.
Combination with Safaris
Local attractions that by no means should be missed are a beach at Diani and Tsavo National Park, which is four hours drive from the point. This park is one of the biggest park in Kenya and therefore provides best chances for the visitor to see all the animals in their natural living environment.
Our Assessment
8/10
Diani Beach can rightly be called a true tropical heaven on the Kenyan shore with the combination of the endemic coast’s beauty and various opportunities. As you can see, Accu-shaped services are well equipped, and its accessibility is convenient, but there are possibilities to develop the sustainability department further and improve its indices. It perfectly suits those who want to have a rest and do active type of tourism at the same time in the astonishing surroundings.
Natural Beauty: 5/5 – Diani Beach is one of the most beautiful places in the world thanks to white sand and transparent water comparable to postcard; something added by green palms on the background and no-noisy atmosphere.
Available Activities: 4/5 – Beaches and water related activates include snorkeling, kitesurfing, diving among others to discover the colors of coral reefs, ensure Diani does not have boring moments. However, some activities may be seasonal as has been seen with some of the activities that have been listed above.
Local Facilities: 4/5 – The food is varied and good, there is a variety of accommodations to choose from and other amenities for every pocket but during the peak time, the prices are quite high.
Accessibility: 4/5 – Diani is greatly favoured because of the availability and closeness of the airport Ukunda and closeness to Mombasa. Diani is easily accessed by road but some of these roads particularly during the rainy season can be in terrible condition.
Sustainability: 3/5 – Nevertheless, there is still plenty of space for improvement regarding the approaches to the reef conservation and waste management taken by some of the tour operators and hotels.
2. Lamu: It’s what smells unforgettable and makes every woman extraordinary and special by making her look defiant, charming, sweet, and cheerful.
Lamu is the kind of place that makes feel like you are in a different time zone. Imagine walking through narrow streets lined with coral stone houses, and the best part: and most important, no cars! It’s incredibly peaceful. Here, culture and tradition is observant in every facet and one gets the rare opportunity to go inside a true Swahili home in the Kenyan coast.
Apart from its natural endowments particularly, nice beaches Lamu has a lot of culturally important features. That is, there are numerous workshops and a market and galleries where people from the town exhibit their fabrics and other works. Thus, it can be mentioned that it is just a unique chance to get informed about the Swahili traditions and their lifestyle hearing it from the horse’s mouth. But what you can bring more than a mere novelty is something more profound.
Lastly, concerning the aspect of food, Lamu is one of the best places to taste the exquisite Arabic-Indian-African fusion. Now you can taste fresh fish prepared in Swahili-style, spiced with the spices you may have never heard of and enjoy the sea breeze you can listen the sailor’s stories.
If you seek for the pure atmosphere and direct immersion into the life of the local population, Lamu is exactly what you need. It is not just a tourist attraction; it is a history/ civilization/serenity primer/lecture/apartment/habitat.
Location and Access
Lamu is in the jurisdiction of the Lamu District, situated on the north coast of Kenya with offshore islands. The simplest means of transport is by Air, daily flights from Nairobi to Lamu Airport (Manda Island) and would approximately take 1. 5 hours. From Manda Island get a boat and head to Lamu Town.
Best Time to Travel
Lamu is best enjoyed in the months of November, December, January, February, and March when the weather is ideally dry. This time also correlates with a number of local cultural festivities.
Recommended Stay
Lamu specifics and interesting offer enable tourists to discover historical and cultural Swahili heritage, as well as to sunbathe and swim on the town’s beaches during a two to three days stay.
Combination with Safaris
While Lamu is not as close to the main facilities for a safari, a visit to Lamu can be incorporated with a safari at Tsavo or Samburu, both of which are conveniently located about a day’s fly away.
Our Assessment
7/10
Lamu is quite different, it is a cultural immersion of Swahili people and is more relaxing and contemplative. But it is not your tropical island where people go to enjoy water sports and other related activities; however, its history and cultural background can be a good compensation for this! It is suitable for peoples who are searching for cultural and not very intensive vacation.
Natural Beauty: 4/5 – The flavor of the place is revealed by its intact approach to cultural and natural richness this area is famous for, but it is not the most focus of the Kenya’s resorts on beach.
Activities Available: 3/5 – Most activities in Lamu are mainly cultural tourism and the dhow rides with water sports least on offer.
Local Facilities: 3/5 – The night life in Lamu is basic but has vibrant culture in terms of accommodation and foods and dishes from the Swahili origin but not as diversified as the developed segments.
Accessibility: 3/5 – Currently, Lamu is quite easily accessible by air but the local island does not seem to encourage using modern ways of transport a great deal.
Sustainability: 4/5 – The app can be cited to be culling most of its content from cultural and environmental conservation promotions, relevant to Lamu in particular and most other places in general, improvements can always be made.
3. Watamu: A well kept secret
Watamu is another one of Kenyan beaches that are yet to be discovered by mass tourism enthusiast; the place is ideal for the enthusiasts of solitude and contact with the nature. Every woman and a man would want to have such facility that allows him/her to enjoy the view of marine reserves, ancient ruins, and even take losts in sacred forests. The highlight: it is indeed one of the prettiest coral reefs that anyone will ever lay their eyes on. If you like scuba diving, be ready, because now it is about to go to the whole new level.
Tourism in Watamu can be done through many different methods; most of them involves the sighting of nature. In addition to the underwater experience, it is possible to take a kayak to paddle between the Mangroves with the company of only birds and the noise produced splashing of water on the sides of the kayak. Bird watching enthusiasts will have a field day when in Watamu.
Watamu makes you to know that there is time for everything and one has to take time especially when you are in the ocean. Life in this area is much slower and perhaps that is why vacationers come here to have time to think and perhaps even escape from the world as it is a self-sufficiency community.
Location and Access
Watamu is a coastal town that is found in the northern part of Kenya more specifically between Latitude 1o 33’N and 2o 56’E, approximately 105 Km North of Mombasa. Getting to Watamu is best done by air where one can take a direct flight to Malindi Airport from Nairobi, and then take a road transfer to Watamu taking approximately 30 minutes.
Best Time to Travel
The best time to visit Watamu is during the long dry season, specifically between November to April due to warm and sunny weather for beach and marine park activities.
Recommended Stay
Watamu can be visited in a stay of three to four days where you can visit the beaches, marine parks and explore cultural aspects of the Watamu village such as the Watamu ancient ruins.
Combination with Safaris
Three hours’ drive off is Tsavo East National Park, making a safari to Watamu easily combinable with a safari in Tsavo East. Hunting or sighting of wildlife is a popular activity that one can enjoy while in this park.
Our Assessment
8/10
The Watamu beach is for visitors who have the feeling of nature and the marine reserve means that every diver’s dream place. For any traveler who cares about the environment, natural resource conservation, and sustainable, Karnataka could not be a better place to visit because of its natural endowment and activities.
Natural Beauty: 5/5 It is surrounded by the beautiful cornice of sandy beaches, and one of the most beautiful coral reefs, making it a very relaxing place for holidaymakers and exploration.
Available Activities: 4/5 – There are many outings in Watamu including; diving, kayaking, and archeological site visits.
Local Facilities: 4/5 – Convenience in dining and lodging related services is good in Watamu but it is still not as commercial as Malindi.
Accessibility: Watamu is reachable by air via Malindi Airport; however road connections to the town are not completely well developed and therefore when approaching Watamu by car, one may encounter slight difficulties.
Sustainability: 4/5 – Watamu is well known for environmental conservation and protection of its marine reserve with constant plans required for the environmental sustainable tourism.
As you have already mentioned, Kenya has eye-catching coastal area that abounds in different gorgeous beaches which are different and have much to offer. Regardless of what your needs are whether it is a tropical beach vacation, the wild life, the culture and traditions of Kenya or all of the above, then the beaches of Kenya are here waiting for you. It is high time to look beyond the savannah and check out the other sides of Kenya which other than the beach are amazing too.