Kenya Beaches: 500 Kilometers of Tropical Paradise

Kenya’s great reputation for safaris could make us almost forget that the Kenya beaches are highly popular as well.

Kenya has 500 kilometers of soft white sand beaches, with palm trees, the bluest water, ever shining sun and some very good quality beach resorts in all price categories. While the beach area draws a lot of tourists, it’s still much less developed than the big European or North American beach spots – in the positive sense of the word.

Your Choice Of Kenya Beaches

Most visitors to the Kenya coast arrive in Mombasa. The beach area directly north of Mombasa, together with Diani Beach in the south, are the busiest. If you like a lot of company, they’re good, but there are enough beaches left were you’ll be basically alone. Here’s a review of the most popular beaches in Kenya to help you make the best choice.

Where To Book Your Beach Holiday To Kenya

I have two favorite places for finding great beach holiday offers:

1. PACKAGE DEALS: Whenever I’m in the mood to sit back and go with an organized trip, Africa Guide is where I’ll look first. They are the leading organized tour and package trip specialist in Kenya. As dedicated Africa specialists, their trips are a lot more interesting and special than those of the large Western travel agencies. Currently, they offer over 160 holiday packages.
2. DO-IT-YOURSELF: If I’m in an independent or picky mood, and I want to put my own trip together, I’ll use Africa Point in Nairobi. They offer the largest collection of quality Kenya beach hotels I’ve ever seen in one place, and are the only travel agent offering domestic flights from most quality air companies in Kenya. They have a reputation for patient, one-on-one help with putting together personalized trips.

If you’re looking to book a beach hotel, have a look at my reviews of beach resorts in Kenya.

World-Class Coral Reefs For Diving

A big attraction are the coral reefs just outside the Kenyan coast. They are rated by top divers as being in the top three of most beautiful coral reefs in the world, along with the Red Sea and Australia’s Barrier Reef. They make fantastic spots for scuba diving.

Besides diving, it’s possible to do other water sports, among them water-skiing, snorkeling, rafting and fishing. Especially at the busier beaches, rental equipment and guides are widely available.

Read the whole story on my separate page about all the water sports and things to do on the beaches of Kenya.

Swahili Culture And History

The coast area is also famous for the Swahili culture – the mix of Arab, African and other cultures that have been mingling there for ages. For over 1000 years, the coast has been frequented and dominated by Arab traders and colonizers, and as a result many inhabitants were converted to islam.

Since the 16th century, the Portuguese and later the British colonized the area. The results can still be seen in several well-maintained Old Towns and ruins, which are wonderful to visit. Read about interesting things to see on my page about The Kenya Coast Area: The Other Highlights.

Related Pages:

Review of Beaches In Kenya – Which One Will Be Your Favorite?
Beaches Of Kenya: Top Things To Do
A Beach Safari In Kenya – A Wonderful Experience
Highlights Of Your Beach Tour In Kenya
Beach Hotel Kenya: My Personal Recommendations
The Kenya Coast Area: The Other Highlights
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