BEACH HOLIDAY

Kenyan Coast & Nearby Islands

For the sun and sea seekers, the Kenyan Coast beckons with its endless stretches of impossibly white sand and azure sea teeming with life. This is the place to cool off and unwind after your exciting safari to enjoy a classic beach holiday: swimming, sunbathing, exploring, and enjoying deliciously fresh seafood. Also known as the Swahili Coast, seafood dishes and architecture are just some of the ways this lively culture finds its way into your heart.

The Swahili Coast

Highlights & Places to Visit

Diani Beach

At the southern end of Kenya’s coastline lies Diani Beach, one of the country’s most prominent resort areas with a good mix of hotels and villas. Diani is a paradise for anybody who can’t sit still with an activity for everybody at every moment. It is a spectacular diving and snorkelling destination, to say nothing of fishing — all of which you can do off a ngalawa (a type of traditional dhow).

For the more active traveller, consistent winds and gorgeous lagoons mean wonderful kitesurfing. Why not give it a go?

Kilifi

Kilifi is a lovely coastal town situated around the estuary of the scenic Goshi Creek. Here, one can indulge in the simple pleasures of sun-filled days on the beach or in the warm water. Perhaps you want to tackle an adventure at the water sports centre or sip drinks at a beach bar.

Kilifi is perfect for the younger crowd, couples and honeymooners who can stay in any of the many villas available. It is where all the young and fashionable Kenyans go when they need a break from the hustle and bustle of Nairobi.

Lamu

An island off Kenya’s northern Swahili coast, it is buzzing with fascinating culture while still being a lovely place to read a good book on sandy beaches. There are no roads but alleyways and footpaths to wander through and explore the historic town (note: donkeys have the right of way).

Lamu is perfect for seasoned travellers keen on adventure. Take a sunset dhow cruise and sip sundowners, do some fishing, or snorkel at the small island of Manda Toto.

Zanzibar

Zanzibar is rich in Swahili culture and offers much more than a fly-and-flop beach destination. Wander through Stone Town, an old Arabic trading port, or spend an afternoon on the spice route before settling down and digging your toes into the white sand of one of Zanzibar’s many beautiful beaches.

Zanzibar is an excellent place for family holidays, with plenty of hotels and resorts. While the children go snorkelling, we encourage the parents to take a quiet moment to enjoy a freshly squeezed fruity cocktail or three.

Seychelles

Remotely located in the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles is a group of 115 beautiful and unique tropical islands. Renowned for its palm-fringed, white-powdered beaches and cerulean waters, the Seychelles is brimming with a kaleidoscope of marine life and is ideal for diving and snorkelling.

For a breathtaking honeymoon or an unforgettable family holiday, the Seychelles ticks all the boxes. It offers abundant romance and plenty of water — and land-based activities.

At the southern end of Kenya’s coastline lies Diani Beach, one of the country’s most prominent resort areas with a good mix of hotels and villas. Diani is a paradise for anybody who can’t sit still with an activity for everybody at every moment. It is a spectacular diving and snorkelling destination, to say nothing of fishing — all of which you can do off a ngalawa (a type of traditional dhow).

For the more active traveller, consistent winds and gorgeous lagoons mean wonderful kitesurfing. Why not give it a go?

Kilifi is a lovely coastal town situated around the estuary of the scenic Goshi Creek. Here, one can indulge in the simple pleasures of sun-filled days on the beach or in the warm water. Perhaps you want to tackle an adventure at the water sports centre or sip drinks at a beach bar.

Kilifi is perfect for the younger crowd, couples and honeymooners who can stay in any of the many villas available. It is where all the young and fashionable Kenyans go when they need a break from the hustle and bustle of Nairobi.

An island off Kenya’s northern Swahili coast, it is buzzing with fascinating culture while still being a lovely place to read a good book on sandy beaches. There are no roads but alleyways and footpaths to wander through and explore the historic town (note: donkeys have the right of way).

Lamu is perfect for seasoned travellers keen on adventure. Take a sunset dhow cruise and sip sundowners, do some fishing, or snorkel at the small island of Manda Toto.

Zanzibar is rich in Swahili culture and offers much more than a fly-and-flop beach destination. Wander through Stone Town, an old Arabic trading port, or spend an afternoon on the spice route before settling down and digging your toes into the white sand of one of Zanzibar’s many beautiful beaches.

Zanzibar is an excellent place for family holidays, with plenty of hotels and resorts. While the children go snorkelling, we encourage the parents to take a quiet moment to enjoy a freshly squeezed fruity cocktail or three.

Remotely located in the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles is a group of 115 beautiful and unique tropical islands. Renowned for its palm-fringed, white-powdered beaches and cerulean waters, the Seychelles is brimming with a kaleidoscope of marine life and is ideal for diving and snorkelling.

For a breathtaking honeymoon or an unforgettable family holiday, the Seychelles ticks all the boxes. It offers abundant romance and plenty of water — and land-based activities.

How To Get There

The Kenyan coast is easily reached via local flights leaving from Wilson Airport in Nairobi.  You can start the day with a coffee in the Mara or Amboseli and end it by sipping cocktails with your feet in the sand. For the islands further afield, flights leaving from Nairobi’s international airport will have you in these island paradises within a matter of hours.

Our team of Travel Planners will be delighted to help plan these beach breaks; with all the insider knowledge of how to get you on a sun lounger as quickly and effortlessly as possible.

PARTNERS WE LOVE

Where to Stay

More About Travelling to the Kenyan Coast

Seasons & Temperatures

The Kenyan coastal region’s climate is generally warm and humid, making it a popular destination for beach holidays and water activities throughout the year.

 

 

Hot Dry Season (January to February): The warmest and driest time of the year, temperatures range from 28°C to 32°C (82°F to 90°F)

Long Rainy Season (March to May): Temperatures average between 25°C and 30°C (77°F to 86°F)

Cool Dry Season (June to October): Temperatures range from 20°C to 28°C (68°F to 82°F)

Short Rainy Season (November to December): Temperatures average between 25°C and 30°C (77°F to 86°F)

How to Get There

Exploring the Kenyan coast is an easy hop and a skip from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport. While Zanzibar and Seychelles are not far away, they do require international flights and slightly more travel time, however, all of these coastal options allow for same-day travel if departing from the Mara or Amboseli that morning.

Entry Requirements

There are no visa requirements for any traveller visiting Kenya.

To enter Kenya you will need:

An approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). All foreign travellers, including infants and children, must have an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) prior to travel to Kenya

The eTA must be applied for through the  Online Portal . Your eTA is valid for 90 days from the date of issuance.

An eTA fee is applicable for many nationalities including the US and UK

An eTA is not required if you have a valid East African Tourist Visa (EATV) for travel to Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda

A valid passport for at least six months from the date of entry, recommended with at least two blank pages (temporary passports will not be accepted)

Passport holders from the following EAC countries are exempted from applying for an eTA: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda

Currency & Payments

US$ are widely accepted, though you may have some trouble with notes of larger denomination or those issued prior to the year 2000

We recommend travelling with some US$ in cash

Many local restaurants will accept US$, though prices are shown in Shillings and typically inclusive of all taxes and levies

All major credit cards are widely accepted: Visa, MasterCard, American Express & Diner’s Club etc.

Gratuities are entirely at guests’ discretion and are not included in Angama Travel quotes. There is no hard and fast rule for this, and tipping recommendations vary from property to property across the country

Baggage Allowances

Please note that some scheduled flights carry a luggage restriction of 15kg per person in soft bags, including carry-ons. The acceptance of excess baggage is at the sole discretion of the airline but some offer the option to purchase additional luggage.

Safety

We recommend visitors to be mindful of their possessions. While each property recommended by Angama has undergone thorough safety inspections, we still recommend you use the safe in your room and keep valuables close to you at all times when exploring.

Plastic Bags

In an effort to reduce the impact on the environment, Kenya has recently made the use and importation of all single-use plastic bags illegal. With this in mind, we suggest you lean in to Kenya’s eco-friendly ways and leave any single-use plastic bags behind.

Yellow Fever Vaccinations

There are no compulsory vaccinations required for entry to Kenya.

Travellers arriving from an endemic country will be required to present a valid yellow fever certificate for all travellers older than one year

Vaccinations need to be administered 10 days or more prior to travel, and the certificate will need to be provided as proof. Depending on your onward travel plans, or country of residence, you may also be required to have a yellow fever certificate for entry

Yellow fever certificates now have a lifetime validity

Malaria Protection

Kenya is classified as a malaria area. We recommend that travellers contact their local medical clinic for professional advice, and that they obtain comprehensive travel insurance, including health cover, prior to travelling. Insect repellent is provided at most lodges and hotels in the region, please confirm for your specific itinerary.

Travel Insurance

We recommend purchasing travel insurance at the time of booking to ensure you are covered for the unexpected. The insurance should include coverage for trip delay, trip interruption, trip cancellation, emergency medical and emergency evacuation/repatriation, and baggage delay and loss.

Explore More

The experienced Angama Travel team is here to create an itinerary tailored to your dream holiday and destinations. They are ready to assist you during every step of your journey, from the exciting process of itinerary planning to support throughout your trip and keep in touch once you have returned home.

Get in Touch

We pride ourselves in curating bespoke itineraries for our guests. Share your dreams with us and we look forward to creating unforgettable memories together.