Kenya has been much in the news over the last few weeks for the wrong reasons. A sad and tragic terrorist attack has impacted the country's image. This is doubly unfortunate as Kenya remains the most popular of all tourist destinations in East Africa, and as most visitors will attest, their holiday was perfect and trouble-free.
The combination of going on safari and then relaxing on the beach is alluring, and with its spectacular Indian Ocean coastline, there is much to choose from. In no particular order and with much thought from our team, these are our picks of the most beautiful beaches in Kenya:
Click here for our portfolio of Kenya Beach Accommodation.
Best Beaches in Kenya
- Galu Beach. Directly south of Diani beach and Mombasa lies one of the most amazing beaches in the world. Crystal clear blue water, fine white sand and, for the most part, fairly empty. This lack of crowds translates into fewer people hassling you for massages or buying trinkets, and you will also not be hard-pressed to find a reclining sunbed under one of the permanent umbrellas.
- Watamu Beach. Directly south of Malindi, Watamu is renowned for its wonderful white sand beach. It is also protected as part of the Watamu National Marine Park. The white sandy beaches and islands become hills when the tide is low, making this place unique. The lack of infrastructure adds to the allure of an isolated and wild beach location.
- Malindi Beach. Malindi is famed for coral reefs that lie just 1,000 feet off its shore. Game fishing, surfing, and simply relaxing on the vast expanses of white sand are the principal activities, as well as visiting the old town of Malindi when you are so inclined.
- Chale Island. Just off Diani beach, you will find the tiny Chale Island. It is a wilderness island with colobus monkeys adding to the atmosphere, and walking at low tide a key ingredient. If you don't scare them, you will be surrounded by hundreds of small hermit crabs on the small coral beach. This is as near you will get to a Robinson Crusoe type environment.
- Manda Island. Part of the Lamu archipelago, it is known for its abandoned 9th-century ruins and excavations and a pristine natural environment of white sand and desert island beauty.
- Diani Beach. South of Mombasa lies probably the most famous of all Kenya's beaches. This 10-kilometre long beach allows you long walks as well as diving on the coral reefs. Black-and-white colobus monkeys add an exotic touch. There are many first-class hotels and restaurants.
Most beautiful beaches in Kenya by the Team at Uyaphi.com
Ngare Serian Camp
Ngare Serian Camp, located in the Mara North Conservancy on the banks of the Mara River, offers up a private and intimate safari experience with only four luxurious tented suites on offer.
Ngare Serian is the perfect safari camp for a large family, a small group of friends or couples alike.
Ol Tukai Lodge
Ol Tukai Lodge, a classy budget-orientated safari lodge situated in the heart of the Amboseli National Park, one of East Africa's most popular wildlife and nature parks.
The Amboseli Park is one of the best spots in the world to watch elephants with the backdrop of Africa's highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, is at Ol Tukai Lodge.
Mara Porini Camp
The Mara Porini Camp has only 6 tented suites sited in the shade of Yellow-barked Acacia trees along the banks of the Laetoli, a permanent spring, the tents are spacious and each has an en-suite bathroom with flush toilet and safari shower.
An exceptional Masai Mara tented camp awaits a superb option for nature lovers.
Sabuk Lodge
Sabuk Lodge was fashioned out of the local Laikipia landscape, built with local materials, twisted wood and stone boulders incorporated into the architecture, open walls and private veranda's face out over the Ewaso Nyiro River gorge 150 feet below.
Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort
One of East Africa's most exotic and best-known resorts, Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa, is located in a dreamlike setting, on Bamburi Beach on the North coast of Mombasa, a fusion of Swahili interiors and Arabic architecture.
Whitesands offers up a beach holiday like very few others can, the perfect setting for family holidays.
Cottars 1920s Camp
Cottars 1920s Camp is located far away from the maddening crowds of the Masai Mara.
Only 9 luxuriously appointed tented suites are available, including 2x honeymoon suites, 4x double tents and 3x family suites.
Sala's Camp
Sala's Camp, located on the Sands River and within 2 kilometres of Tanzania's Serengeti, is one of the most luxurious Maasai Mara Tented Camps options available today.
Sala's offers guests exceptional service, fine dining, stunning accommodation and an authentic Masai Mara safari.
Porini Rhino Camp
Porini Rhino Camp is located in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, forming part of the Laikipia Plateau, boasting an astounding variety of wildlife, including all of the "Big Five" is situated between the foothills of the Aberdares and the magnificent snowcapped Mount Kenya.