Kenya Coast Holidays
With a tropical climate, the white sandy beaches of Kenya’s coast are the perfect place to end up if you are in search of some luxurious pampering after a safari. This coast has some of the best game fishing in the world, as well as excellent marine parks for those interested in snorkelling and scuba diving.
There is a fantastic range of hotels along the Kenya coast, ranging from small, boutique Swahili-style lodges to larger, air-conditioned hotels. Please click on the View Hotels tab for more detailed information about our recommended properties.
Kenya Coast Hotels
Afrochic
Location: Afrochic is situated on Diani Beach about 1.5 hour drive’s from Mombasa and 10 minutes from Ukunda airstrip.
Rooms: 10 modern, air-conditioned ocean-facing rooms/suites with private balcony overlooking the gardens and swimming pool.
Facilities: Swimming pool, jacuzzi.
Activities: Many activities can be arranged from Afrochic including scuba diving & snorkelling, deep sea fishing, jet skiing, wind surfing, kite surfing, dolphin safari, horse riding, golf at nearby Leisure Lodge, spa treatments and day trips.
Children: All ages are welcome.
Our View: Afrochic is a small, stylish boutique hotel located towards the northern end of popular Diani Beach. It has an intimate atmosphere with very good cuisine and personalised service and fronts on to a wide stretch of almost perfectly white sand beach.
Alfajiri
Location: Alfajiri is situated at the northern end of Diani Beach, approximately 1.5 hour’s drive from Mombasa and 10 minutes from Ukunda airstrip.
Rooms: 3 beautifully appointed villas (Cliff, Garden & Villa) that are only booked on an exclusive basis.
Facilities: Massage treatments, vehicle with driver to visit different beaches & go shopping, use of a traditional African boat.
Activities: Snorkelling to the coral reef, gym, sauna and steam bath at a nearby property. Scuba diving, kite surfing, Jet Sky Dolphin Safari, mangrove bird watching, deep-sea fishing, excursions to the nearby Kisite Marine National Park and to Funzi Island can also be arranged.
Children: All ages are welcome.
Our View: Alfajiri is a real gem! It is a lovely place for couples or families who are looking for a relaxing time at the coast, in luxury and privacy. The villas are very stylish and great attention to detail has been paid to the furnishings and decor. Each villa is fully self-contained and boasts its own swimming pool.
Asha Cottages
Location: Beachfront location in the heart of Diani.
Rooms: 5 comfortably furnished, single storey rooms set around the swimming pool.
Facilities: Massage & beauty treatments, traditional African boat, swimming pool, billiards table.
Activities: Swimming, beach walks, snorkelling on the coral reef with the lodge’s own wooden boat, bar games. Scuba diving, kite surfing, bird watching, deep-sea fishing, excursions to nearby islands can also be arranged.
Children: All ages are welcome.
Our View: Asha Cottages is a relaxed, private home that also takes guests; owner managed with great attention to detail, this intimate boutique lodge has a lovely beachfront restaurant, as well as tables in the gardens at the rear that are home to Sykes and Colobus monkeys. Excellent value for money.
The Funzi Keys
Location: The Funzi Keys is situated approximately 30 minutes drive and 20 minutes speedboat ride from Ukunda airstrip, or else 15 minutes light aircraft flight from Mombasa Airport or 5 minutes light aircraft flight from Ukunda.
Rooms: 9 Deluxe Beachfront Cottages & 8 Seaview Cottages
Facilities: Large swimming pool.
Activities: Boat trips, sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, creek fishing, sundowner dhow cruises. Deep sea fishing, diving & snorkelling can be arranged locally.
Children: All ages are welcome.
Our View: This island retreat is owned and run by Alessandro & Claudia who know how to make guests feel at home. There is no dress code, no set meal times…this is the perfect place to kick off your shoes and go barefoot. The guest rooms are huge and the lodge has a great swimming pool; the best beach is on the offshore sandbank which is reached by local boat. A great hideaway retreat.
Hemingways
Location: Situated on Watamu’s beautiful white sand beach, approximately 20 minutes’ drive from Malindi Airport.
Rooms: 78 air-conditioned ocean-facing rooms.
Facilities: Two swimming pools, beauty salon, gym & tennis court.
Activities: Bird watching, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing, snorkelling. Dhow cruises on Mida Creek, nature walks in the Sokoke Forest and visits to Gedi Ruins can also be arranged.
Children: All ages are welcome.
Our View: Hemingways is well known for the high quality of its deep sea fishing excursions and is a fantastic coast option for families and couples alike. The beach at Watamu is much quieter than the beaches around Mombasa and the snorkelling in the Marine Park just offshore is superb.
Kinondo Kwetu
Location: Situated on its own secluded beach to the south of Diani, approximately 20 minutes drive from Ukunda airstrip.
Rooms: Individually Swahili-designed rooms in Mama Taa Villa & 5 cottages set amongst attractive gardens.
Facilities: Two swimming pools, tennis court, sauna, exercise area, spa, dive centre, horses & stables.
Activities: Scuba diving & snorkelling, sailing & canoeing, kite surfing, deep-sea fishing, windsurfing & water skiing, boat excursions to ‘Paradise Lost’ Island, mountain biking, tennis, horse riding, day trips to the Shimba Hills; golf can also be arranged.
Children: All ages are welcome.
Our view: Kinondo Kwetu is often described as a ‘home away from home’ – a haven for those wanting a more personalised experience on the Kenya coast. In addition to relaxing in the sun and swimming in the Indian Ocean, Kinondo Kwetu offers an impressive selection of exciting activities ranging from watersports to horse riding. An elegant and charming hideaway with a great house party atmosphere.
Kiwayu – currently closed
Please note that this lodge is currently closed.
Location: Lamu archipelago
Rooms: 18 beachfront bandas + 1 family banda + The Baobabs of Kitangani Suite
Facilities: No swimming pool.
Activities: Windsurfing, laser sailing, kayaking in the Mangrove channels, dhow cruise, dune walk, body boarding, snorkelling, reef fishing, creek fishing, deep sea fishing (from mid October to April), day trips to Lamu by boat.
Children: Kiwayu is a child friendly lodge.
Our View: Kiwayu is a delightfully simple but charming beach lodge in one of the Kenya coast’s most remote locations.
Kizingo
Location: Situated at the quiet south-western tip of Lamu Island, approximately 40 minutes speedboat ride from Manda Island.
Rooms: 8 very private, rustic bandas dotted amongst the sand dunes.
Activities: Snorkelling, swimming, fishing, sunset dhow trips.
Children: All ages are welcome.
Our View: Kizingo is a delightful family run lodge offering tranquility and privacy. The guest rooms are simple but comfortable and located a few steps away from the beach. Excellent value for money.
Kizingoni Beach
Location: Located at the remote, south-western tip of Lamu Island.
Rooms: 7 beachfront houses with 4 or 5 bedrooms each.
Facilities: Each house has a private swimming pool.
Activities: Waterskiing, tubing, wakeboarding on the Kipungani Channel. Snorkelling, fishing, dhow cruises & walks to the local village can also be arranged.
Children: Children of all ages are welcome.
Our view: These beachfront villas are modern, luxurious and secluded, yet retain an authentic Swahili ambiance particular to this part of the coast. Each house is fully staffed with chef, room steward, waiter, laundress, boat captain, gardener and security. Fabulous properties for large families and small groups.
Manda Bay
Location: Situated around a headland on the north-east coast of Manda Island.
Rooms: 16 palm & thatch cottages with ceiling fan and superb views of the ocean.
Facilities: Swimming pool, spa, dhow for sunset cruises.
Activities: Beach walks, windsurfing, kayaking, laser sailing, snorkelling, water skiing, mangrove trips, deep-sea fishing & creek fishing, saltwater fly fishing, bird walks, excursions to Lamu by boat, dhow excursions on the Utamaduni dhow.
Children: Children of all ages are welcome.
Our view: Manda Bay is one of the most stylish and exclusive lodges in the Lamu area, boasting tradtional Swahili-style lodge accommodation and an extensive stretch of beach. Great for couples and families alike.
Msambweni House & Private Villas
Location: Located 15 minutes’s drive beyond Msambweni village, on a beautiful, quiet stretch of beach south of Diani.
Rooms: 6 rooms in the main house and 3 private villas with private pools.
Facilities: Swimming pool.
Activities: Snorkelling, fishing, kite surfing, windsurfing, mountain biking & beachpicnics. Nearby motorised watersports, deep-sea fishing, golf, excursions to Wasini Island & Shimba Hills.
Children: Recommended for couples or families with older children.
Our View: Msambweni House is an intimate, exclusive retreat with an enviable location on a beautiful, tranquil beach.
Olerai Beach House
Location: Olerai Beach House is situated about 1 hour drive’s from Mombasa and 15 minutes from Ukunda airstrip.
Rooms: 4 bedrooms – the house can only be booked on exclusive basis and is fully staffed.
Activities: Table tennis, darts, board games, selection of snorkelling equipment, swimming in the pool.
Our view: Olerai Beach House is great value for money and a fabulous choice for a lovely family or group holiday. The house can be booked on full board basis or on a self catering basis.
Serena Beach Hotel
Location: The Serena Beach Hotel is situated a short distance north of the island of Mombasa.
Rooms: 164 rooms
Facilities: Restaurants & bar, swimming pool, spa, watersports centre, tennis court, gym, squash court, barber/hair salon.
Activities: Snorkelling, deep sea fishing, catamaran sailing, windsurfing.
Children: All ages are welcome.
Our view: Built in traditional Swahili style with flat-roofed Arabesque houses and hand-carved wooden doors, the resort artfully blends the romance of the ancient Indian Ocean coast with the high standards of modern hospitality.
Shela House
Location: Shela Village
Number of Houses: 4 houses – Shela House, Beach House, Palm House, Garden House
Facilities: All privately staffed; Beach House has its own private swimming pool.
Activities: Fishing, snorkelling, windsurfing, kitesurfing, bodysurfing, sailing and water skiing, walking along deserted beaches, watching a local football match, exploring the narrow streets of Lamu town with its ancient fort, its wood carvers, juice bars and donkeys, visit the Lamu Donkey Sanctuary.
Children: Children of all ages are welcome.
Our View: These four villas have been designed to offer guests an exclusive, relaxing holiday in the attractive village of Shela on Lamu island.
The Majlis
Location: Situated on the south-east coast of Manda Island, approximately 10 minutes’ speedboat ride from the airstrip.
Rooms: 25 well-appointed, air-conditioned Superior and Deluxe rooms, Junior and Royal Suites divided into three villas.
Facilities: 2 swimming pools, kids club, watersports centre & wellness centre.
Activities: Snorkelling & diving, sailing, kite surfing, water skiing, wake boarding, fishing, kayaking, excursions to Lamu.
Children: Children of all ages are welcome.
Our view: The Majlis is a smart, stylish property set on a long stretch of beach opposite Shela village on Lamu. Attractively designed and with a cosmopolitan atmosphere, this is a great option in Lamu for, honeymooners, couples and families alike.
Tijara
Location: Approximately 20 minutes’ drive south of Likoni, tucked away on a very quiet, secluded stretch of coast.
Rooms: 4 individual Swahili-style cottages with great ocean views.
Facilities: Swimming pool.
Activities: Snorkelling, diving, bird watching, reef & beach walks, cave walk, deep sea fishing, kite/wind surfing, massages can be arranged.
Children: Children of all ages are welcome at Tijara
Our View: Tijara is a small, exclusive hideaway homestead set in 5 acres of colourful gardens, perched on a coral bluff overlooking a turquoise lagoon and white waves of the fringing reef. Owner managed by Ian & Larissa with great attention to detail. The cottages are spacious and they are spaced well apart to provide as much privacy as possible.
Water Lovers
Location: With an eviable beachfront location in the heart of Diani.
Rooms: 4 double storey buildings each containing 2 rooms, plus 1 fully self-contained 2-bedroom villa
Facilities: Swimming pool, restaurant, watersports.
Activities: Snorkelling, scuba diving, kite surfing, windsurfing, bird watching, deep sea fishing, massages can be arranged.
Children: Children of all ages are welcome.
Our View: Water Lovers is situated on a good size plot on the beautiful white sands of Diani. The guest rooms are simple, clean and comfortable and the swimming pool is set back a short distance from the beach. Owned and managed by a very enthusiastic Italian couple, offering a wide array of watersports, very good value.
Description
With a tropical climate, the white sandy beaches of Kenya’s coast are the perfect place to end up if you are in search of some luxurious pampering after a safari.
This coast has some of the best game fishing in the world as well as excellent marine parks for those interested in snorkelling and scuba diving. If you wish to combine sun with a little history then fly north to the historic Swahili island of Lamu where the pace of life is dictated by trotting donkeys and graceful dhows sailing out in search of the ‘catch of the day’.
There is an excellent choice of private houses or small, luxurious hideaways that will leave you longing to return.
Itineraries for Kenya Coast Holidays coming soon. In the meantime, please call us on 01905 731373 for more detailed information.