A List of Kenya's Finest Beaches

17 May 2017 Tripindigo 5 min read

Perhaps one of many Kenya's best features is its range of stunning beaches. Kenya is known for having some of the best beaches in the world and the locals are spoiled for choice. Kenya’s tropical beaches are an evergreen getaway with loads to offer everyone who decides to pay it a visit. Whether your beach mission is for relaxing, carousing or swimming Kenya has a fantastic range of beaches suited for any and all activities. Here are 15 of the best beaches in Kenya that have locals and tourists breaking out their swimming gear and bathing suits for.

15 of The Most Beautiful Beaches in Kenya

Here is a quick list of the beaches that made the cut, but if you want to know why these beaches are so special we suggest you keep reading.

Bamburi Beach Diani Beach Gazi Beach Kenyatta Beach Kikambala Beach Kipungani Beach Kiwayu Beach Manda Bay Beach Nyali Beach Shanzu Beach Shela Beach Shelly Beach Tiwi Beach Watamu Beach Vipingo Beach

1. Bamburi Beach

Bamburi beach is located on Mombasa’s North Coast, it’s amazingly calm and it boasts fine soft sand and calm water, an ideal place to go experience beach vacation. The beachfront is a popular destination for sun lovers, sand seekers & swimmers and it offers a stunning view don't you think? If you love walking, swimming or relaxing by the beach, Bamburi offers everything. It is a perfect place to find some relaxing downtime.

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2. Diani Beach

Diani is renowned for being the most popular and most beautiful beach in Kenya. This stunning shoreline is met by the Indian Ocean, 30 Km south of Mombasa. Diani beach provides a tranquil haven where you can relax and enjoy the warmth of the sun. While for those who are keen on dipping into the waters & exploring Diani is renowned for its coral reefs, underwater sandbars, and widespread palm vegetation. The more athletic beachgoer will also find Diani a delightful location for swimming as well as surfing.



3. Gazi Beach

Gazi beach is located 3 km from a town that shares the name. Gazi is a coastal town in Kenya. The short journey towards the beach is surrounded by sumptuous palm vegetation and some luxury lodges that offer accommodation to visitors. Gazi beach is rather reclusive and is never known to be crowded at any time of the year. Those looking to be left undisturbed and value their privacy during vacation will appreciate what Gazi beach has to offer. If you are a sun worshipper, who has some lazy days to waste, you will love Gazi Beach.

4. Kenyatta Beach

This is a public beach and for good reason. The shore provides ample space for fun beach activities and to get yourself into the water with friends and family. If you're looking for some place to enjoy the sun, surf and get along with other tourists, Kenyatta beach is the place to hang out. Not that there are only foreigners, you'll run into many locals, many of which are vendors hawking cold beverages, ice creams and snacks or trying to get you to be more adventures with water sports or sailing trips.

5. Kikambala Beach

Surrounded by coconut palm grooves, Kikambala beach can be found nestled in North of Mombasa and created by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. This long stretch of the sea shore, filled with almost flawless white sands and shielded by a picturesque coral reef making it is one of the most beautiful beaches of the Kenyan coast. There are several beach resorts situated on Kikambala. Which offer day visitors and long stay residents a place to admire the beautiful picture-perfect views and a serene space for locals and visitors to enjoy themselves.



Photocred: Pepooni Hotel

6. Kipungani Beach

Kipungani Beach can be found on the shores of the island of Lamu in the north of Kenya. This a remote beach setting can only be reached by a long walk or by water taxi and can really feel like your own private Island, a feeling we could all get used to. Kipungani Beach appeal comes in the form of silence, it is very quiet with very few visitors making the trek to enjoy this beautiful, unspoilt sandy beach.

A few beach houses can be found overlooking the spacious dunes while a few small hotel complexes are available should you feel the need to extend your stay and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. Kipungani Beach offers you the chance to spend relaxed days at the beach together with the option of excitement such as snorkelling and diving with dolphins and the beach is also one of the best insider hotspots in the world for kite-surfers.

7. Kiwayu Beach

This particular beach can be described as simple luxury with a quiet and secluded atmosphere. It has been a popular getaway for celebrities, but we won't give away who they are, just yet.The beach is home to a host of resorts with rustic beach bandas for visitors to escape into, perfect for the overly sun kissed beachgoer. Nature lovers will also find enjoyment from the active presence of sea life in the area, with many visitors able to spot whales and dolphins on a regular basis.

This sea life can also be enjoyed at dinner with a host of fresh a seafood available, from lobster, crab, tuna, cod and rock oysters & more.

8. Manda Bay Beach

Lamu Island has no shortage of beautiful white sandy beaches, which are perfect for a relaxed time during vacation. But for the ultimate experience, we would have to mention Manda Bay beach. It is the most popular beach in Lamu and for good reason with its picturesque views and peaceful ambience. The beach is also surrounded by luxury resorts built around the ocean. These beach resorts offer visitors an exquisite place to have fun and relax during their stay on the Island.

9. Nyali Beach

Nyali beach is one of Kenya’s best beaches that offer a calm and relaxing ambience while its beauty is kept in tip top condition and has been praised by my visitors for being very clean.Nyali beach is located in Mombasa, surrounded by magnificent beach resorts that offer deluxe accommodation. Apart from the normal beach activities that you can do around Nyali like sunbathing, swimming and playing with sands and building sand castles, it’s also a good location for surfing.

The beach is rather large and will never seem overcrowded as it offers lots of space for activities. Many mornings and evenings are you'll find guys playing a gripping game of beach football.

10. Shanzu Beach

Shanzu beach is located 30km from Mombasa, off Mombasa-Malindi Highway. The beach is surrounded by coconut palm groves and has several beach resorts and hotels, bars and restaurants, where visitors can lodge, enjoy and have fun during their holidays. The Beach is an elegant, palm fringed beach with tranquil coral reefs. Entertainment is generally limited to the few beach resorts along the beachfront. The sand offers long, pale-gold sands and gentle waters while the reef offshore allows for snorkelling and diving too.

There is little else, bar what the few resorts offer on the beach and this is a quiet stretch of coast that is still not too far from Mombasa which is just a few kilometres away. The sea comes in to reach these resorts at high tide with the sand disappearing.

11. Shela Beach

Shela Beach is the most popular and longest beach on the island of Lamu in Kenya, although most holidaymakers only discover the 12 kilometres of this unspoilt, natural, light sandy beach by boat.

You will find more people in the eastern part of the beach where they can be found residing in white painted holiday homes and hotels. While travelling towards the west is a dune landscape where you won't be greeted many locals or jogging holidaymakers, but a heard of free grazing cows. Shela beach also sports a sunset view that is particularly beautiful.

Photocred: kikambala.org

12. Shelly Beach

Shelly Beach is a beach within Kenya and is south of Ras Mwa Kisingo and Ras Mzimba and south east of Ras Mzimbo. Shelly Beach has an elevation of 10 metres. The biggest issue with this beach could be the number of shells that have washed up onto the shoreline, some may see it as a hindrance but it gives this beach its own character and well worth a visit.

Once you're in the water you may encounter a bit of seaweed although it does not hinder your ability to swim and have an overall good time.

13. Tiwi Beach

Tiwi beach has been can only be described as paradise, found near a small settlement in Kwale County, which has its fair share of a beautiful sandy beach in Kenya. The beach is located north of Diani Beach, which is about 17 km south of Mombasa. The beach offers nature at its peak and it’s a place you can go to experience the best beach vacation, especially if you enjoy relaxing in the sun.

14. Watamu Beach – Turtle Bay

Turtle Bay is a long stretch of beach; about 7km long is located on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya, about 15km south of Malindi. The beach is known for its local reefs, clear water and soft white sands.

Situated on a fine white sand beach in a Marine National Reserve, the Turtle Bay is ideal for water sports enthusiasts and beach lovers alike. With superb children's facilities, it is also a firm favourite with families, although the adults only pool offers a little haven of tranquillity.

15. Vipingo Beach

Vipingo beach is located near Kilifi in a coastal area which consists of Swahili villages and lies about 30 kilometres north of Mombasa. Vipingo has an isolated and important pocket of coastal forest, providing an important sanctuary for many coastal forest species of flora and fauna. The forest meets with white sandy beaches, and old coral cliffs and on spring high tides the Indian ocean laps at the feet of this valuable, yet threatened ecosystem.

Surrounded by green vegetation of coconut palms, the water is calm and crystal clear. The beach is scenic and isolated with very little crowd. If you would love to spend some peaceful and romantic time with your lover or friends, Vipingo beach is the best place to visit.

When In Kenya Reach The Beach

Kenyans and tourists who are lucky enough to visit are clearly spoiled for choice when it comes to beautiful beaches. Which is your favourite? Let us know