1. Relax on Diani Beach
Diani Beach is often described as one of the most beautiful beaches in Africa, and for good reason. Stretching for over 17 kilometers along Kenya’s south coast, it boasts powdery white sands, swaying palm trees, and crystal-clear waters that shimmer under the tropical sun. Whether you’re looking for relaxation or adventure, Diani has something for everyone.
For relaxation, the beach offers luxury resorts and boutique hotels that cater to every comfort. Lounging on the beach with a book or enjoying a refreshing coconut is pure bliss. The coral reefs make for safe swimming, and the turquoise waters are irresistible. Adventure enthusiasts can try kitesurfing, jet skiing, skydiving, or deep-sea fishing. The nearby Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park offers world-class snorkeling and diving, where you can encounter dolphins and colorful marine life.
At night, Diani transforms into a lively hub with beach bars, restaurants, and live music venues offering everything from fresh seafood to Swahili delicacies. A short drive away, you can explore Shimba Hills National Reserve for a change of scenery, where elephants roam free in lush green landscapes. Diani is not just a beach — it’s an experience that captures the very essence of a coastal paradise.
2. Explore Old Town, Mombasa
Mombasa’s Old Town is a melting pot of cultures, history, and architecture that transports visitors back in time. Walking through its narrow, winding streets feels like stepping into a different era, where centuries of trade and cultural exchange have left their mark. Influenced by Arab, Portuguese, British, and Indian settlers, the town is filled with intricately carved wooden doors, ornate balconies, and bustling spice markets.
One of the highlights of Old Town is Fort Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the Portuguese in the late 16th century to guard the Old Port. Today, the fort is a museum showcasing artifacts that reveal the coastal region’s rich history. From the fort, you can enjoy panoramic views of Mombasa harbor, which still bustles with traditional dhows and modern ships.
Exploring the area also means immersing yourself in Swahili culture. The aroma of cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves fills the air, especially around spice shops and local eateries. Street food stalls serve Swahili snacks like bhajias, viazi karai, and sweet mandazi. Don’t forget to stop by antique shops and art galleries offering unique crafts and souvenirs.
Old Town is not just a historic site — it’s a living, breathing neighborhood where past and present coexist in colorful harmony.
3. Visit Wasini Island & Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park
For lovers of marine adventures, Wasini Island and the nearby Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park are must-visit destinations. Located south of Diani near Shimoni, these attractions offer an unforgettable experience of Kenya’s underwater treasures.
A typical excursion starts with a canoe sail from Shimoni, gliding over turquoise waters while dolphins playfully swim alongside the boat. Once you reach Kisite-Mpunguti, you’ll dive into a vibrant underwater world filled with coral gardens, colorful fish, and turtles. Snorkeling and scuba diving here rank among the best in East Africa, with visibility often excellent.
After the water adventure, the canoe takes you to Wasini Island, a charming fishing village where life moves at a slower pace. Lunch is usually a Swahili feast of fresh seafood — think crab, lobster, and fish prepared in coconut sauce, served with chapati and pilau. Visitors can also explore the Wasini Coral Garden, a community-managed conservation project that highlights the island’s dedication to sustainability.
The combination of adventure, culture, and cuisine makes the excursion unique and unforgettable. You leave not only with memories of the ocean but also a deeper connection to the coastal communities who protect and share their rich natural heritage.
4. Dive or Snorkel in Watamu Marine National Park
Watamu, a small coastal town north of Mombasa, is home to one of Kenya’s most spectacular marine reserves. Watamu Marine National Park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that offers an extraordinary chance to explore marine biodiversity in pristine waters.
The park is a haven for divers and snorkelers, with vibrant coral reefs, seagrass beds, and an abundance of marine species. Snorkeling in the shallow reefs allows you to see butterflyfish, parrotfish, angelfish, and turtles up close. For more experienced divers, deeper waters reveal stingrays, barracudas, and sometimes dolphins during their migration season.
Watamu is also known for its commitment to marine conservation. The Local Ocean Conservation organization works tirelessly to protect endangered sea turtles through rescue, rehabilitation, and community education programs. Visitors often have the opportunity to learn about turtle conservation or even participate in releasing hatchlings back into the ocean.
Beyond the marine park, Watamu town has a laid-back vibe, with boutique lodges, eco-friendly resorts, and a growing reputation as a wellness destination offering yoga and meditation retreats. Whether you’re underwater marveling at coral reefs or enjoying fresh seafood by the beach, Watamu provides an enriching blend of adventure and tranquility.
5. Discover the Ruins of Gedi
Hidden deep in the Arabuko-Sokoke forest near Malindi lies one of Kenya’s most mysterious historical sites — the Ruins of Gedi. This 13th-century Swahili town thrived for centuries before being mysteriously abandoned in the 17th century. Walking through the ruins today, you’ll encounter remnants of coral stone houses, mosques, a palace, and even ancient wells, all reclaimed by nature.
The atmosphere here is both enchanting and haunting, as giant baobabs and fig trees weave their roots through old stone walls. Archaeological studies suggest that Gedi was once a sophisticated urban center with running water and trade links reaching as far as India and China. Artifacts such as Ming Chinese porcelain and Venetian glassware unearthed at the site point to its importance as a coastal trade hub.
Guided tours help bring the history of Gedi alive, offering fascinating insights into Swahili culture and the mysteries surrounding the town’s decline. The site is also home to a small museum displaying artifacts, maps, and historical context.
Beyond history, Gedi is rich in biodiversity. The forest surrounding it is alive with monkeys, colorful butterflies, and bird species, making it a favorite spot for eco-tourists. Visiting Gedi offers a perfect blend of history, archaeology, and natural beauty.
6. Experience Lamu Old Town
Lamu Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is Kenya’s oldest continuously inhabited settlement, dating back over 700 years. This charming island town oozes culture and history, making it a must-see for travelers seeking more than just beaches. With no cars allowed on the island, donkeys and canoes (traditional sailing boats) remain the main modes of transport, creating a tranquil, timeless atmosphere.
The narrow alleyways of Lamu are lined with traditional Swahili houses characterized by intricately carved wooden doors and coral stone walls. Each turn reveals bustling markets, vibrant mosques, and small shops selling handicrafts and spices. A visit to Lamu Museum or the Swahili House Museum offers insights into the island’s heritage and its role in Indian Ocean trade routes.
Life in Lamu revolves around the sea. Canoe sailing remains a cultural hallmark, and a sunset sail across the Lamu Channel is nothing short of magical. The annual Lamu Cultural Festival further showcases Swahili traditions through poetry, donkey races, dhow competitions, and music.
Food is another highlight. Lamu offers delicious Swahili dishes infused with coconut, spices, and seafood. Experiencing Lamu is like stepping into a living museum — a slow-paced, authentic immersion into Swahili culture.
7. Go Kitesurfing or Windsurfing in Nyali
For adrenaline seekers, Nyali Beach near Mombasa offers the perfect playground for water sports. Known for its long sandy stretches and steady ocean breezes, Nyali has become a hotspot for kitesurfing and windsurfing enthusiasts from around the world.
Beginners can take lessons from certified instructors, where equipment rentals and training packages are available. The calm lagoons are ideal for learning, while more advanced riders can head further out to ride bigger waves. The thrill of gliding across turquoise waters with the backdrop of palm-fringed beaches is an experience like no other.
Aside from kitesurfing, Nyali offers other activities like jet skiing, paddleboarding, and deep-sea fishing. After a day of adventure, you can unwind at the many beach bars and seafood restaurants that line the shore. Nyali also has a vibrant nightlife scene, making it an excellent destination for younger travelers or those seeking a mix of adventure and entertainment.
What makes Nyali special is its accessibility — just a short drive from Mombasa’s city center. Whether you’re chasing thrills on the water or enjoying a relaxed beach holiday, Nyali combines the best of both worlds. It’s where adventure meets culture on Kenya’s coastline.
8. Taste Swahili Cuisine
No trip to the Kenyan Coast is complete without indulging in Swahili cuisine, a flavorful fusion of African, Arab, Indian, and Portuguese influences. The result is a culinary tradition that is rich in spices, coconut milk, and fresh seafood.
Signature dishes include pilau (spiced rice with meat or fish), biryani, and samaki wa kupaka (grilled fish in a coconut sauce). For breakfast, try mahamri (cardamom-flavored doughnuts) paired with viazi karai (deep-fried potatoes) and a cup of spiced Swahili tea. Sweet lovers will enjoy kachori, mkate wa sinia (coconut rice cake), and haluwa.
The coastal towns of Mombasa, Lamu, and Malindi are filled with street vendors, local eateries, and seaside restaurants serving these delights. For a cultural experience, many tours offer guided food walks through Old Town Mombasa, where visitors can taste dishes while learning about their history.
Swahili cuisine tells the story of centuries of cultural exchange along the Indian Ocean trade routes. Dining in a coastal household or at a traditional restaurant gives visitors not just a meal, but a journey into Swahili identity, community, and hospitality. Each bite is a celebration of heritage and flavor.
9. Visit Shimba Hills National Reserve
Just 33 kilometers from Diani Beach lies Shimba Hills National Reserve, a green oasis offering a refreshing break from the sandy coast. Covering about 300 square kilometers, the reserve is known for its rolling hills, lush forests, and diverse wildlife.
One of Shimba Hills’ biggest attractions is the sable antelope, a rare species not commonly found elsewhere in Kenya. The reserve is also home to elephants, giraffes, leopards, and over 100 bird species. Guided safaris allow visitors to experience the area’s rich biodiversity, while nature walks provide close encounters with the forest’s flora and fauna.
The Sheldrick Falls, a 21-meter-high waterfall hidden within the reserve, is another highlight. Reaching the falls involves a guided hike through the forest, rewarding you with stunning views and a chance to cool off in natural pools.
Because of its elevated position, Shimba Hills offers beautiful views of the Indian Ocean and surrounding countryside. Many visitors choose to combine a beach holiday with a day trip or overnight stay in eco-lodges within the park. Shimba Hills blends wildlife, scenic beauty, and tranquility — a reminder that Kenya’s coast is more than just beaches.
10. Take a Dhow Sunset Cruise
There’s no better way to end a day on the Kenyan Coast than with a dhow sunset cruise. Traditional dhows — wooden sailing boats used for centuries along the Swahili coast — provide a magical experience as they glide across the ocean waters at dusk.
Whether in Lamu, Malindi, or Mombasa, sunset cruises are a romantic and unforgettable way to enjoy the coastline. As the sails catch the evening breeze, you’ll drift past mangroves, islands, and fishing villages while the sky paints itself in shades of orange, pink, and gold. Many cruises are accompanied by live taarab music, creating an enchanting atmosphere.
Most dhow excursions include snacks, fresh seafood, or Swahili dishes served on board, along with drinks to toast the sunset. Some tours even offer stargazing experiences once night falls, adding a celestial touch to the journey.
The dhow itself is a cultural icon — a reminder of centuries of Indian Ocean trade that connected East Africa with Arabia, India, and beyond. Sailing in one isn’t just a leisure activity; it’s an immersion into Swahili heritage and seafaring tradition. A sunset dhow cruise is truly the perfect finale to any coastal adventure.