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:
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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
Encounter Mara Camp
Encounter Mara Camp, located in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, offers guests fantastic wildlife sightings.
The Mara Naboisho has a higher density of wildlife than the Masai Mara National Reserve. A small, intimate yet popular safari camp awaits.
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.
Samburu Intrepids Camp
Samburu Intrepids Camp with 30 tented rooms is located 345 kilometres north of Nairobi, each tent sits on a raised deck overlooking the river where the elephants make an appearance or the crocodiles come out onto the river's banks.
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.
Leopard Beach Resort
Situated on Diani Beach near Kenya's bustling port of Mombasa, Leopard Beach enjoys a position on Diani Beach with 158 comfortable and welcoming rooms. One of the more popular beach lodges near Mombasa.
Sea views, water-based activities and scuba diving are all exceptional, pair those with excellent service and location, and one will not be disappointed.
Ol Pejeta Bush Camp
Ol Pejeta Bush Camp positioned on the banks of the Ewaso Ngiro River in the heart of the famed 'Big-5' Ol Pejeta Conservancy in the heart of Laikipia County.
A fantastic safari experience option for individuals, couples, romantics and families alike with suitable safari activities.
Loisaba Tented Camp
Twelve luxurious rooms at Loisaba Tented Camp overlook 60,000 acres of wilderness in a private conservancy.
This stunning lodge clinging to the edge of a five hundred foot escarpment in Laikipia has unsurpassed views which defy description.
Mara Plains Camp
Masai Mara Plains Camp, one of only three Relais & Chateaux establishments in Kenya, offers guests a private and intimate safari experience within the private Olare Motorogi Conservancy.
The ultimate in luxury while paying homage to that classic tented safari that Kenya is so famous for.