10 best beaches in Kenya: our top picks

Lapped by the Indian Ocean, and straddling the equator Kenya is a richly rewarding beach travel destination. With Mount Kenya rising above a magnificent landscape of forested hills, patchwork farms and wooded savanna, the country’s dramatic geography has a lot to offer, including beaches. On that subject, read on to find out the best beaches in Kenya, many of which are among the best places to visit in Kenya.

What are the best beaches in Kenya?

Kenya’s coastline along the Indian Ocean is a treasure trove of pristine white-sand beaches, swaying palm trees, turquoise waters, and rich Swahili culture. 

Diani Beach, south of Mombasa, is the crown jewel — a 17-km stretch of soft sand with luxury resorts, water sports, and coral reefs perfect for snorkeling and diving. 

Meanwhile, Watamu and Malindi, north of Mombasa, boast marine parks, laid-back charm, and excellent snorkeling. 

Then there's Lamu Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which offers timeless beauty, traditional dhow sailing, and tranquil beaches. As such, exploring Lamu is one of the best things to do in Kenya.

Inspired? You will be after reading more detail on the best beaches in Kenya!

When to visit the best beaches in Kenya

The best time to visit Kenya’s beaches is during the dry seasons, from December to March and July to October. 

These months offer sunny skies, warm waters, and ideal conditions for swimming, diving, and other beach activities. 

Avoid the long rains (April–May) and short rains (November), which can disrupt travel plans and limit visibility for underwater activities. 

For wider weather context, read up on the best time to visit Kenya

1. Diani Beach

One of the best beaches in Kenya - Diani Beach ought to fulfil most dreams about the archetypal palm-fringed paradise. 

The sand is soft and brilliantly white, the sea is turquoise and usually crystal-clear, and the reef is a safe thirty-minute swim or a ten-minute boat ride away. 

Overhead, the coconut palms create pools of cool shade and keep up a perpetual slow sway as the breeze rustles through their fronds.

How to get to Diani Beach

Fly to Ukunda Airport, which is just 10 minutes from Diani Beach. You can take a direct domestic flight from Nairobi's Wilson Airport (approx. 1.5 hours).

From Mombasa, take the Likoni Ferry across the channel, then drive or take a taxi/bus south via the Diani Beach Road.

2. Shela Beach

If you want to spend all your time on the beach, staying in Shela is the obvious solution, and there’s an ever-growing range of quite stylish possibilities there, including one hostel where you can also camp.

Here you will find the beach of uninterrupted, empty sand flanked by high dunes. Founded by 17th-century refugees from Manda Island, Shela is also the site of a striking Friday Mosque built in 1829 and famed for its 18-metre minaret.

How to get to Shela Beach

To get to Shela Beach, on Lamu Island, Kenya, fly to Manda Airport from Nairobi or Mombasa (approx. 1.5 hours).

From Manda Airport, take a short boat ride (10–15 minutes) across the channel to Shela Village.

Shela Beach is directly accessible on foot from the village.

There are no cars on Lamu Island, so all transport is by foot, donkey, or boat.

Want more transport context? Read up on getting to Kenya, and getting around Kenya. 

3. Lamu Beach

A usually deserted 12km sickle of white sand, backed by empty sand dunes, Lamu Beach is one of the best beaches in Kenya; you half-expect Robinson Crusoe to come striding out of the heat haze. 

Unprotected by a reef, the sea here has some motion to it, and it is one of the few places on the coast where, at certain times of the year, you can bodysurf.

How to get to Lamu Beach

As for Shela Beach, fly to Manda Airport from Nairobi or Mombasa (approx. 1.5 hours).

From Manda Airport, take a short boat ride (10–15 minutes) across the channel to Shela Village. Lamu Beach is easily reached from here.

Not sure how to start planning your trip? Explore our Kenya itineraries for inspiration.

4. Shanzu Beach

At the northern end of the stretch of coast between Mombasa Island and Mtwapa Creek, Shanzu Beach is dominated by exclusive (if not particularly upmarket) holiday clubs. 

However, It has a couple of other attractions, and it’s possible to swim even at fairly low tide, with very good snorkelling for much of the year.

Several parts of Shanzu Beach, notably at Serena Beach Hotel, are popular egg-laying sites for sea turtles. 

There are educational talks about these endangered marine reptiles at the hotel — a sure-fire winner if you're visiting Kenya with kids.

Into wildlife? Wise up on the best safaris in Kenya, and the best safari lodges in Kenya. 

How to get to Shanzu Beach

Fly to Moi International Airport (MBA) in Mombasa. From the airport, it’s about a 45-minute drive (18 km) north to Shanzu Beach.

5. Watamu Beach

Watamu can at first sight seem a bit superficial, consisting simply of a small agglomeration of hotels, a strip of beachfront private homes, a compact village shaded by coconut trees, and the beach. 

There are good reasons to come here, however, including the superb marine park, some interesting wildlife initiatives, youthful nightlife and the beautiful Watamu beach itself.

Watamu Beach is one of the best beaches in Kenya for diving, with its coral outcrop islands within swimming distance of the hotel gardens. 

Although they mostly started as fishing and diving centres, many of the hotels are getting involved with community and environmental projects that channel tourist excursion money into the local economy.

How to get to Watamu Beach

Fly to Malindi Airport (MYD) from Nairobi or Mombasa (about 1.5 hours). From Malindi, Watamu is a 30-minute drive south.

Not sure where to stay? Find out about Kenya accommodation.

6. Nyali Beach

Nyali Beach is often crowded at weekends and holidays but, although fairly narrow, the sand is white and the palms offer some good shade. 

You can swim here until the tide is more than halfway out, but the high tide can almost cover the beach – which means, that bodyboarding is sometimes possible when the waves come in over the reef. 

The reef itself is a fair way out, and most people take a boat rather than try to swim.

How to get to Nyali Beach

Fly to Moi International Airport in Mombasa. 

From the airport, it's about a 30-minute drive (13 km) northeast to Nyali Beach.

7. Tiwi Beach

The first real magnet on the coast south of Mombasa is Tiwi Beach, which lies a couple of kilometres east of the main road. 

One of the best beaches in Kenya for budget travellers having a bit of a splurge, Tiwi rates as a genuine tropical paradise and also attracts lots of Kenyan resident families down from Nairobi.

The reef lies just offshore, and there are good snorkelling opportunities at high tide, especially at the northern end. 

With the exception of the large Amani Tiwi Beach Resort at its southern end, Tiwi is still a cottage territory. 

In the dry season, you can walk to the south end of Tiwi Beach and wade across the Mwachema River to Diani Beach and the strange Kongo Mosque, right next to the Indian Ocean Beach Resort.

How to get to Tiwi Beach

Fly to Ukunda Airport  from Nairobi or Mombasa. From the airport, it's about a 20-minute drive north to Tiwi Beach.

8. Galu Kinondo Beach

Galu Kinondo Beach, otherwise known as Galu Beach, is one of the best beaches in Kenya with its lovely stretch of coastline located on the south coast, about 10 kilometres south of Diani Beach and 35 kilometres from Mombasa.

Galu Kinondo Beach, above all, attracts with its beauty and tranquillity and unlike more developed beaches, its unspoilt natural charm. 

Visitors can stroll along the shoreline or simply relax in the shade of a palm tree on the beach.

How to get to Galu Kinondo Beach

Fly to Ukunda Airport from Nairobi or Mombasa. From the airport, it's about a 30-minute drive south to Galu Kinondo.

9. Kilifi Beach

Kenya’s coastline was submerged in the recent geological past, resulting in the creation of the islands and drowned river valleys – the creeks – of today. Kilifi, a small but animated town, is on such a creek.

Kilifi Beach is characterised by soft golden sand and clear blue water. 

Unlike some of the more touristy beaches, Kilifi offers a more relaxed and unhurried holiday. 

In addition to the beach, the town has some attractions, such as the Mnarani ruins dating back to the 14th century.

How to get to Kilifi Beach

Fly to Malindi Airport or Moi International Airport (MBA) in Mombasa. 

From either airport, it’s about a 1.5 to 2-hour drive to Kilifi.

10. Chale Beach

Officially, the immediate ambit of the Tiwi-Diani holiday comes to an end at the speck of coral known as Chale Island, now the site of an exclusive private lodge, The Sands at Chale Island. 

This is a stopover for boat trips at the south extreme of one of the best beaches in Kenya.

Beyond that, down to the Tanzanian border at Vanga is what the Diani planners describe as a ‘remote area’ for longer excursions out of the beach hotels.

In 1994, the Diani-Chale Marine National Reserve was created to protect these fragile coral reefs, which incorporate 36 recognised diving sites.

How to get to Chale Beach

Chale Beach is located on a small private island and is only accessible via hotel-arranged transfers.

Fly to Ukunda Airport from Nairobi or Mombasa. From there, it's about a 45-minute drive to Chale Island mainland base, followed by a short boat or tractor ride (tide-dependent) to Chale Beach.

Ready for a trip to the best beaches in Kenya? Wise up with our Kenya travel advice.

Not keen on planning? Contact our local Kenya travel experts to have them curate your perfect Kenya itinerary.