Most famous for its wildlife destinations, Kenya is also home to a long stretch of dazzling Indian Ocean coastline sprinkled with tropical islands. Combining them is simple: what better reward for the safari traveller than to enjoy a relaxing Kenya beach holiday after all those long days on the Masai Mara?
Kenya beaches include some of the finest in Africa: postcard-perfect landscapes of snow-white beaches and rustling palm trees with coral reefs lying offshore, making for excellent diving and snorkelling, especially when migrating whale sharks pass through the region. They are also some of the easiest and most affordable Indian Ocean destinations to access, giving travellers great value alternatives to Zanzibar and the Seychelles.
Kenya beaches appeals to all types of traveller and the accommodation reflects this, a range of hotels and resorts to suit all types, whether privacy-seeking honeymooners, families with children or adventure-seeking couples and groups of friends. You’ll always fly in, usually from your safari destination to Kenya’s coastal city of Mombasa and travel then by road to your hotel. Kenya beach accommodations are generally well-equipped with swimming pools, dive centres, spas and sport facilities, and usually offer a wide range of local tours from sunset boat cruises to wildlife watching or even a round of golf.
Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast is mostly hot and humid throughout the year with annual daytime temperatures averaging between 27 and 31°C (80 and 88°F). The best time to go on a Kenya beach holiday is from early October to January as these months offer the best conditions for diving and snorkelling. The best whale shark sightings are between January and March. Rain is possible at any time of year but it is wettest and hottest from mid-March to late May and we’d recommend avoiding Kenya’s coast at this time.
Browse our selection of tours where we have combined a classic big game safari with a Kenya beach holiday or simply contact us with an idea of your requirements and budget and we’ll take tailor-make you an itinerary.
A diverse geography means a varied regional climate but Kenya is generally regarded as a year-round holiday destination. However, if you’re looking for a specific experience – the wildebeest migration, the best beach weather or swimming with whale sharks – then you’ll need to plan according to season.
Low, shoulder & peak season: Kenya’s January to March peak safari season delivers in terms of comfort and game viewing. It’s warm and mostly dry and sunny with many animals concentrated around water. Visitor numbers are high – especially in popular parks – so it’s worth thinking about an ‘out-of-season’ safari if you want to avoid the crowds. Kenya’s safari destinations turn green and leafy during the ‘long rains’ of late March to June and the ‘short rains’ of October to December. It makes for great photography and you’ll also enjoy low season accommodation and tour rates.
The Great Migration: By late July the wildebeest are arriving in the Masai Mara and it’s the best time to see the herds crossing crocodile-infested rivers. It is however a very popular time to travel so book well in advance! The wildebeest and zebra herds stay in the Masai Mara until the short rains send them south into Tanzania’s Serengeti but the Mara is worth visiting any time of year thanks to its diverse and abundant wildlife.
Beach break: Visitors to Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast and islands can expect hot and humid conditions all year round. Rain can fall at any time but is heaviest between mid-March and late May. The best conditions for diving and snorkelling is between October and January (especially November). Divers keen to swim with whale sharks should visit Kenya between October and April when these gentle giants migrate along the Kenyan coast.
Kenya’s beaches offer a diverse range of accommodation, perfectly suited to every kind of traveller. Along the palm-fringed coast, you’ll find everything from intimate boutique hideaways and luxury resorts to family-friendly hotels and lively beach lodges. Whether you’re seeking barefoot romance, quality family time, or a touch of adventure after your safari, there’s a coastal escape to match your mood.
Most properties feature swimming pools, spas, water sports centres, and easy access to the warm Indian Ocean; ideal for swimming, snorkelling, or diving among colourful reefs. Expect fresh seafood, tropical gardens, and relaxed hospitality infused with Swahili charm. With easy flight connections from Kenya’s top safari destinations to Mombasa or Diani, it’s effortless to combine bush and beach for the ultimate African holiday.
Soroi Blue Diani Beach is a charming, villa-style boutique hotel set along the stunning white sands and turquoise waters of Diani Beach. With just 10 beautifully designed rooms, it offers a warm, personalized experience in a relaxed, intimate setting.
Serena Beach Resort & Spa in Mombasa, Kenya is an idyllic tropical paradise surrounded by whispering coconut palms, lush gardens, and one of the most stunning beaches on the Indian Ocean. The resort's winding lanes and manicured oceanfront lawns exude the timeless allure and ambiance of a 13th-century Swahili village.
Msambweni Beach House, on Kenya’s South Coast, is a success story, looking out over a remote and pristine beach, lapped by azure blue waters, the beautiful, boutique, is an intimate slice of paradise on Kenya’s coast, ideal for a 'get away' experience It is in a quiet, unique setting on a stretch of completely unspoilt sandy beach surrounded by 28 acres of natural land.
Manda Bay is a small boutique lodge located on the tip of an unspoiled, idyllic island in Lamu’s archipelago where you kick off your shoes and enjoy simplistic beauty in palm thatched cottages and open living spaces. Manda Bay is perfect for honeymooners, families, solo travellers and groups looking to enjoy time together.
Most famous for its wildlife destinations, Kenya is also home to a long stretch of dazzling Indian Ocean coastline sprinkled with tropical islands. Combining them is simple: what better reward for the safari traveller than to enjoy a relaxing Kenya beach holiday after all those long days on the Masai Mara?
Kenya beaches include some of the finest in Africa: postcard-perfect landscapes of snow-white beaches and rustling palm trees with coral reefs lying offshore, making for excellent diving and snorkelling, especially when migrating whale sharks pass through the region. They are also some of the easiest and most affordable Indian Ocean destinations to access, giving travellers great value alternatives to Zanzibar and the Seychelles.
It’s a destination that appeals to all types of traveller and the accommodation reflects this, a range of hotels and resorts to suit all types, whether privacy-seeking honeymooners, families with children or adventure-seeking couples and groups of friends. You’ll always fly in, usually from your safari destination to Kenya’s coastal city of Mombasa and travel then by road to your hotel. Kenya beach accommodations are generally well-equipped with swimming pools, dive centres, spas and sport facilities, and usually offer a wide range of local tours from sunset boat cruises to wildlife watching or even a round of golf.
Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast is mostly hot and humid throughout the year with annual daytime temperatures averaging between 27 and 31°C (80 and 88°F). The best time to go on a Kenya beach holiday is from early October to January as these months offer the best conditions for diving and snorkelling. The best whale shark sightings are between January and March. Rain is possible at any time of year but it is wettest and hottest from mid-March to late May and we’d recommend avoiding Kenya’s coast at this time.
Browse our selection of tours where we have combined a classic big game safari with a Kenya beach holiday or simply contact us with an idea of your requirements and budget and we’ll take tailor-make you an itinerary.
Our team of destination experts will design a holiday to meet your budget and interests. Let’s start planning your tailor-made African safari today!
Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is East Africa’s major flight hub. Not only will you fly into and out of Nairobi on your tour but it’s also the gateway to Zanzibar and Tanzania as well as Uganda, Rwanda and the Seychelles.
And thanks to Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International, it’s easy to connect with South Africa too. We can help you plan an itinerary that gives you the best of Kenya plus anything from the Kruger and Okavango Delta to Victoria Falls and Cape Town.
