Boat trip
Season: Year-round; calmest from December to MarchWatamu Marine Park snorkelling trip
- Snorkel the coral gardens among parrotfish and angelfish
- Glass-bottom boat views for non-swimmers
The essentials
| Location | Indian Ocean coast of Kenya, north of Mombasa |
|---|---|
| Main towns | Kilifi (county capital), Malindi, Watamu, Mtwapa |
| Distances | Mombasa to Kilifi about 60 km, to Watamu about 105 km, to Malindi about 120 km |
| Time zone | East Africa Time (UTC+3), no daylight saving |
| Currency | Kenyan shilling (KES) |
| Languages | Swahili and English; Giriama and other Mijikenda languages are spoken locally |
| Plugs | Type G (British three-pin), 240 volts |
| Emergency numbers | 999 or 112 |
When to visit
The coast is warm all year, usually around 28 to 32 °C by day, and humid. The seasons follow the monsoon winds and the rains.
| Months | What to expect |
|---|---|
| December to March | Hot, sunny and dry, with the north-east monsoon. Calm, clear sea: the best time for snorkelling and fishing. Busy at Christmas. |
| April to June | The long rains, heaviest in May. Humid, quiet and cheaper; some small hotels close. |
| July to October | Dry and slightly cooler, with the south-east monsoon. Windier, with rougher sea and seaweed on some beaches. Whales pass offshore. |
| November | The short rains, usually in brief showers. |
Tides
The tide makes a big difference on this coast. At low tide the sea pulls back over the reef flats, exposing rock pools; at high tide the water reaches the beach. Snorkelling and reef walks are best around low tide, swimming from the beach around high tide. Ask your hotel for the day’s tide times.
What to pack
- Light, loose clothes, plus something that covers shoulders and knees for town
- Reef shoes or sandals for rocky beaches and coral
- High-factor, reef-friendly sun cream, a hat and sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- A reusable water bottle
Money and costs
Cards are accepted in hotels and larger restaurants, and mobile money (M-Pesa) is used almost everywhere in Kenya. Carry some shillings for tuk-tuks, markets and tips. Marine park and national park fees are paid electronically.
Health
- Malaria: the coast is a malaria area. See a travel clinic several weeks before you go about tablets and vaccinations.
- Sun and heat: drink plenty of water and avoid the midday sun.
- Water: drink bottled or filtered water.
- Sea: watch for sea urchins on the reef, and swim only where it is safe.
Safety
- Beaches: do not walk on empty beaches at night, and keep valuables at the hotel.
- Beach sellers: some can be persistent; a polite but firm “no, thank you” works. Book trips through your hotel or a trusted operator.
- Roads: the Mombasa–Malindi road is busy; avoid driving at night.
- Travel advice: check your government’s current advice for Kenya before you go.
Customs and etiquette
- The coast is largely Muslim. Dress modestly away from the beach, and be discreet during Ramadan.
- Greet people before asking a question; “Jambo” or “Habari” and a smile go a long way.
- Ask before photographing people.
- Plastic carrier bags are banned in Kenya.
