Where to stay
Stay in Watamu for the best beaches and snorkelling, in Malindi for the most choice and a real town, in Kilifi for a quiet creek and Bofa Beach, or at Vipingo and Mtwapa for an easy hop from Mombasa.
The areas
Best beachesWhite sand and coral islets
Beach resorts, boutique hotels, villas and guesthouses along the coves of Watamu, close to the marine park, Mida Creek and the Gede Ruins. Relaxed and popular with families and couples.
Best for: Beach holidays, snorkelling and families
Most choiceTown life and long beaches
The widest choice of hotels, apartments and resorts on the north coast, from big beach hotels to small guesthouses, with restaurants, shops, the airport and the old town on the doorstep.
Best for: Travellers who like a town and good value
Quiet creekCreek views and Bofa Beach
Small hotels, eco-lodges and guesthouses on Kilifi Creek and at Bofa Beach, with a laid-back, local feel, sailing and kayaking, about halfway between Mombasa and Malindi.
Best for: Couples, backpackers and slow travel
Close to MombasaGolf, villas and creeks
Holiday villas, golf resorts and beach hotels in the south of the county, about 45 minutes to an hour from Mombasa, with the ruins of Jumba la Mtwana and lively Mtwapa nearby.
Best for: Short breaks and travellers flying into Mombasa
Watamu and Malindi have resorts right on the sand, many with pools, dive centres and all-inclusive options.
Small hotels, private villas with staff and holiday homes are popular in Watamu, Kilifi and Vipingo, and good value for families and groups.
Simple guesthouses and eco-lodges, often run by local families or long-term residents, are found in Kilifi, Watamu and Malindi.
Prices are highest over Christmas and New Year and at Easter, and lower during the long rains from about April to June, when some smaller places close.
Good to know
Watamu, with white sand, turquoise water and coral islets. Malindi’s beach is long and wide, but the sea can be brown from the Sabaki river in the rainy months. Bofa Beach at Kilifi is quiet and beautiful.
Not if you stay in one place. Tuk-tuks, taxis and tours cover most trips. A car or driver helps if you want to explore the whole coast.
A few weeks ahead for most of the year. Book early for Christmas and New Year, Easter and the Kenyan school holidays, when hotels fill up and prices rise.
Yes, and the coast is a malaria area. Hotels usually provide nets. Ask a travel clinic about malaria tablets before you travel, and use repellent in the evening.
Plan your coast trip
Once you have a base, compare snorkelling trips, dhow cruises and day trips along the coast.