Kenyan Coast

The Kenyan coast is lined with pristine white sand beaches fringing the warm inviting waters of the Indian Ocean. Here the wilderness meets the sea, and the ocean itself holds a world of spectacular coral reefs teeming with life and colour. The coast is a place with a long and exotic history, its calm blue waters the traditional passage of the Arabian Spice Trade. Along the length of this coast, Arab and Portuguese forts, Old Towns and the overgrown, deserted ruins of Swahili outposts bear witness to this fascinating history. In the winding medieval streets and bustling markets of Lamu and Mombasa Old Town, life has continued unhurried and unchanged for more than 400 years.

This blend of natural beauty and living history creates an exotic paradise unlike anywhere else on earth …

The Kenya Coast is, for convenience, divided into four regions. Apart from the town and port of Mombasa, these are the south coast which stretches from Mombasa to the Tanzania border; the north coast covering the beaches from Mombasa to Kilifi; Malindi and Watamu and the Lamu archipelago. Each of these areas has its own devotees, some returning year after year without sampling the competitors. Mombasa is Kenya's second largest town and its only sizeable port. It has a recorded history stretching back nearly 2000 years and was mentioned in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea a pilot's guide to the Indian Ocean Written by one Diogenes, a Greek living in Egypt, around the end of the first century AD. The coastline south of Mombasa is a tropical paradise of palm fringed white sand beaches, where the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean meet beautiful coral reefs. The protective reefs have created ideal beaches with calm, inviting waters. Days are filled with sunshine and nights are balmy and warm with gentle sea breezes. The offshore reefs are alive with coral, myriad fish, sea turtles and dolphins. Both outer and inner reef walls offer world class diving with spectacular coral gardens and drop offs. At Kisite-Mpunguti, a Marine Reserve has been established around beautiful Wasini Island, an ideal day trip for divers and snorkellers. The beaches are bordered by lush green coastal rainforests with prolific birdlife and variety of wildlife including baboons, rare colobus monkeys and even leopard. Although all the beaches which lie to the south of Mombasa form part of the 'south coast', the phrase always conjures up Diani Beach about 40 km from Mombasa where the majority of the hotel and resort development is centred. The exceptions are Likoni, better known as Shelley Beach, just across from the Mombasa island ferry, Galu and Msambweni not far south of Diani and Shimoni close to the Tanzania border. The whole of the south coast is served by a good paved highway and there is a tarmac airstrip at Ukunda serving the Diani resort area. Diani Beach is 10 km long, a vast uninterrupted stretch of white sand lapped by an opal ocean. Many of the hotels along this beach nesstle in cleared beachfront areas of the Jadini forest - still the haunt of leopard and monkeys as well as a brilliance of forest birds. In addition to the hotels there are private houses, some available for renting, and several self catering 'villages'. Most marine activities are available which include windsurfing, water skiing, scuba, goggling and deep sea fishing. Many hotels have their own marine sports centres but there are also independent ones to supply the needs of the more experienced marine addicts. Fishing (all along the Kenya coast) is year round except for May and June and perhaps July.

The coastline North of Mombasa is a world of enthralling history and natural beauty.

The coast is lined with pristine palm fringed beaches, and the calm inviting waters of the Indian Ocean. The beaches are broken by the wide mouth of Kilifi Creek, whose azure waters are a popular port of call on the international yachting circuit. The beaches of Nyali, Vipingo, Kikambala and Shanzu are home to a wide range of World Class resorts with fine cuisine and services.

The peaceful beach havens of Mtwapa and Takaungu offer an ideal escape from the outside world, with endless deserted beaches.

The offshore reefs are alive with coral, myriad fish, sea turtles and dolphins. Both outer and inner reef walls offer world class diving with spectacular coral gardens and drop offs, and Kenya's best wreck diving on the MV Dania. Lamu is a place like no other, a peaceful tropical island where life is lived at it's own relaxed rhythm, but a place whose history is as mysterious and fascinating as the winding streets of it's medieval stone town.

The island itself is a beautiful place of rolling dunes and endless beaches, where tiny villages nestle among coconut and mango plantations and lateen sailed dhows ply the waters. But Lamu's real attraction is its Old town.