Home  North Coast, Mombasa
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 azurewaters are a popular port of call on the international yachting circuit.
The beaches of Nyali, Vipingo, Kikambala and Shanzu are home to a widerange 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.
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How to get to North Coast, Mombasa |
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The gateway to the North Coast is Mombasa,
although some visitors fly directly to Malindi. The Coastal highway runs
north of Mombasa all the way to Kenya’s northern frontier. Driving your own car or hired car as far as Malindi is very easy. There
are regular buses and matatus along the North coast. Many hotels and
resorts in this area have Mombasa shuttles or can arrange vehicle
transfers.
Private taxis from Mombasa will also take you to the North Coast beaches
for an agreed fare. Malindi airport has daily scheduled flights to
Mombasa, Nairobi and Lamu. The airport also serves Private Charters.
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Where to stay in North Coast, Mombasa |
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There is a very wide range of accommodation available on the North
Coast. There are five star International resort hotels with
casinos, nightclubs and international restaurants, basic campsites,
private guesthouses and rental apartments and villas.
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Dining in North Coast, Mombasa |
The obvious culinary attraction on the North Coast is seafood, and there
is plenty available, with excellent fish, crabs, lobster, oysters and
more. There is also an abundance of fresh tropical fruits and
vegetables, peanuts, cashews and wild honey. There is a great many restaurants
throughout the North Coast serving a range of international cuisines.
Many hotels have their own restaurants.
The Kenyan coast is
famous for its Swahili Cuisine, a traditional blend of Arabic and
African cooking styles. Swahili specialities are mild curries made from a
thick coconut sauce, and seafood cooked with cloves and cinnamon. The
coast’s mix of African and Asian cuisines also produce a wide range of
vegetarian dishes.
For those who wish to cook for themselves, the
abundant supply of markets, shops and modern supermarkets will cater
for your every need. Privately rented homes usually have a cook
provided, who will buy ingredients and prepare meals to your taste.
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What to do in North Coast, Mombasa |
Whether its rest or recreation, you'll find something to suit on the
North Coast.
Water Sports
The coastal resorts of
the North Coast offer a full range of water sports including sailing,
waterskiing, jetskiing, parasailing and more. Nyali, Vipingo, Kikambala
and Shanzu are home to a wide range of World Class resorts with fine
cuisine and services.
Boating
A range of
boats can be hired to explore the coast, including Hobie cats and
sailing skiffs. Sea Kayaks are also widely available, and are ideal for
exploring remote coves and sheltered bays.
Kilifi Creek is a
good place for those looking to charter yachts.
Both yachts and crews
are available for private charter. the coast of Kenya is a great place
to explore by yacht, or the perfect base from which to set sail for
Zanzibar to the South or the Red Sea to the North. Other yachting
anchorages along the coast include Mtwapa, Shimoni and Mombasa.
SCUBA
Diving and Snorkelling
Divers will not be disappointed on the
North coast. There are several world class dive sites. Diving is
generally good all year round, although visibility lessens during July
and August due to silting and high seas. Best sites are at Mtwapa
and Barracuda Reef. These are some particularly good outer reef
dives, with long drop offs and plenty of life on the walls. On the outer
edge of Barracuda reef there are large shoals of angel and butterfly
fish, and the occasional green turtle or massive whale shark are seen
here.
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Cultural Experience in North Coast, Mombasa |
The North coast is home to many of the Mijikenda tribes,
predominantly the Giriama. Many of the hotels in this region can
arrange cultural visits to Giriama villages. The North Coast was a
area of great importance to the development of the Swahili culture. This particular area saw several Swahili settlements, most
of which are now gazetted historical sites.
Jumba la Mtwana (The
Mansion of the Slave), near Mtwapa is a good example of a simple
Swahili town. The town was deserted around 500 years ago. The majority
of the town no longer stands, but the ruins of stone mansions of the
privileged and their mosques and tombs still remain. Archaeological
evidence suggests that the people of Jumba where devoutly religious and
committed to the Islamic virtue of cleanliness. Most houses contain the
remains of water cisterns, washing platforms and stone lined latrines.
Jumba
la Mtwana is an interesting place to visit, and is beautifully located
in a baobab forest. The ruins overlook a deserted beach, and the largest
Mosque faces the sea. This area is home to the Rabai community, a
small but culturally strong people, with their own language and
customs. In an effort to both celebrate and preserve their cultural
traditions, an annual Rabai festival is held in this region.
It
was from this area that one of Kenya's first European visitors Germany
missionary and explorer Ludwig Krapf, first established a mission in
August 1846. This became his base for exploration into the hinterland. A
small museum in the village of Rabai, commemorates both Krapf's life in
Kenya and local Rabai culture.
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