Malindi and Lamu Island Beaches in Kenya : One of the most fascinating coastal towns in Kenya is Malindi. Its population is mostly Muslim, but it’s also referred to as “Little Italy” since an Italian community began to settle here when the Italian-run Broglio Space Centre was built in the late 1960s. Although the number of permanent Italian residents in Malindi has decreased compared to its peak, the town still has a disproportionately high concentration of Italian eateries, gelaterias, and supermarkets that offer pasta and Parmesan cheese.
Malindi has a long, beautiful beach, and although the town feels a little run-down, that’s part of its beauty. The beach road going to Malindi town is lined with lodges and resorts, one of which is the unique White Elephant, an Italian art collector’s sculpture park and hotel. This beach road is also home to two of the top Italian eateries in the neighbourhood, Osteria and Baby Marrow.
Mambrui
This is the right spot for you if you’re seeking for kitesurfing. The best place for both novices and experts to grab a board and take in the warm breeze and waves that lap this secluded beach is the Che Shale kitesurfing centre, which was the first on the Kenyan coast. This stretch of golden sand is mostly known for kitesurfing, but it’s also a great place to kick off your shoes and enjoy miles of quiet, empty beaches. Legs aching from a long day in the surf, the thick flora and coconut trees provide the perfect backdrop for unwinding with a fresh fish plate and a glass while watching little dhows sail into the sunset.
Kilifi
As young professionals have settled in Kilifi, the area has come into its own in recent years. This has resulted in an explosion of hip cafes and bars, Coworking spaces, and concept venues like The Food Movement and FoMo, which combine market days, artist studios, and an organic farm into one creative space. The three-day annual Beneath the Baobabs event, Africa’s first carbon-neutral event that blends East African music and culture with an emphasis on sustainability, takes place in Kilifi every year.
The Goshi River estuary that is the creek itself is a birdwatcher’s paradise. To witness fish eagles and flocks of southern carmine bee-eaters, take a boat to the bird island located in the middle of the creek. One of Kenya’s oldest marine parks, Watamu Marine National Park and Reserve, is easily accessible from Kilifi. When whale sharks are in season, take a boat ride to snorkel and dive with groupers, lionfish, big rays, and more. The Mnarani Ruins, located on a bluff above the stream in Kilifi, are the archaeological remnants of a centuries-old Swahili town. The location has a 900-year-old baobab tree and two Mnarani mosques from the fifteenth century.
Lamu Island, Lamu Archipelago
On Lamu Island, slow movement is the rule, and touring his sand-dusted archipelago might seem like a trip back in time. Conventional attire, donkey transportation (private vehicles are prohibited), and traditional crafts like boat construction and carpentry are still widely practiced. One of the oldest and best-preserved Swahili communities in East Africa is the 13th-century port city of Lamu Town. The architecture of the islands, especially the elaborate entrances, is influenced by African, Asian, and European cultures. Lamu Town has been continuously inhabited for more than 700 years.
It’s essential to take a sunset dhow boat excursion around Lamu island and into the mangrove areas in addition to visiting the beaches (Shela Beach is especially beautiful). Spices and other items were once transported by these exquisitely carved ancient sailing ships between Asia, Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula. These days, they offer snorkelling day tours, sunset cruises, and even overnight excursions where you can sleep on the deck beneath the stars and swim in dazzling phosphorescence. Visit Ali’s boatyard in Lamu Town to view the Flip-flop Dhow, the first recyclable plastic sailing boat in the world and a component of an initiative to lessen waste in coastal communities. Accommodations: The Peponi Hotel and Kipungani Explorer.
Chale
Though it is only a short distance from the mainland, Kenya’s sole private island resort gives the impression of being a million miles away. Encircled by coral reefs and enveloped in dense tropical foliage, the island boasts a single primary beach in addition to multiple smaller, quiet stretch where your footprints will probably be the only ones on the sand. With the exception of amphibian fins, that is, as Chale serves as a nesting site for multiple threatened species of sea turtles.
On the windward side of the island, The Sands at Chale Island Hotel encircles the main beach. While beachcombing is the primary activity, the resort also offers deep-sea fishing, catamaran sailing, kayaking in the neighbouring mangroves, snorkelling or scuba diving in Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park, and trips up the coast to Diani Beach. Accommodation: Chale Island’s Sands.
Tiwi
Truly, this is a hidden gem. Due to its lack of facilities, this quiet beach is frequently overlooked in favour of its neighbour, Diani Beach. There are guesthouses and cottages as the sole lodging options besides the four-star Tiwi Beach Resort; there are no lounges or pubs. Tiwi makes up for this shortcoming as one of the greatest places for snorkelling because you can stroll along the beach’s edge and touch the coral reef. Locals, especially those from Nairobi, really like it. The absence of beach guys is what draws more people to this beach. If you’re set on visiting Diani Beach, you may simply cross the Mwachema River during low tide.
Funzi Island
For those looking for a private beach experience among the top beaches in Kenya, Funzi is the perfect getaway location. Situated on Funzi Island on Kenya’s southern coast, the beach is 35 kilometres from Diani Beach and 65 kilometres from Mombasa. You will be astounded by Funzi Beach’s unspoiled tropical beauty, lively animals, and upscale lodging. It is most renowned for its tranquil fusion of animals, culture, and distinctive landscape. The best place to go swimming is on the natural sandbank that’s right offshore from the settlement. The fascinating cultural tours in Funzi village and the amazing crocodile safaris down the Ramisi River are the greatest excursions. Place to stay: Funzi Keys Lodge
