Diani
An easy, attractive beach finish with the widest range of accommodation.
The Kenyan coast
Kenya Beach Holidays
White-sand beaches, warm water and centuries of Swahili history, easily combined with safari by air.
Our take
Choose the right
coast for you.
Kenya’s beach areas have very different personalities.
Diani offers a wide range of resorts and villas; Watamu combines a relaxed atmosphere with marine activities; Lamu is rich in Swahili character and suits travellers who value a sense of place. Tides, seasons and flight connections all influence our recommendation.
Choose the atmosphere as well as the beach
Lamu’s Swahili character, Watamu’s relaxed town and marine setting, and Diani’s broader hotel collection create different holidays. A small retreat and a larger resort can feel very different even on the same stretch of coast. We start with how you want to spend the days, then compare the property and room.
Match the coast to your month
Wind, tides and seaweed can affect the beach experience, and conditions vary by location. January to March is generally hot; April and May are wetter, while July and August can be breezier on exposed beaches. Tell us if swimming, diving, snorkelling or sailing is a priority so the choice reflects the conditions as well as the photographs. Our seasonal guide separates safari and coastal advice.
A relaxed finish after safari
The coast is strongest when the flight connection and length of stay give you time to unwind. The Cabanas Lamu, Peponi Hotel and Kinondo Kwetu offer distinct settings. See our Maasai Mara & Lamu itinerary, or compare safari and beach journeys.
Watamu
A relaxed coastal town known for its marine environment, water sports and boutique hotels.
Lamu
Swahili culture, dhow sailing and small characterful properties on Lamu and Manda islands.
Where to stay
8 properties in Kenyan Coast
Explore the camps, lodges and private houses in our collection, then ask us to help choose the right stay for your journey.
Kenyan Coast
Alfajiri Villas
Alfajiri’s three private villas overlook Diani Beach, each with its own pool, butler and household team. Choose between elevated Cliff Villa, garden-fronted Garden Villa and three-bedroom Beach Villa for a coastal stay shaped around your own party.
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Kenyan Coast
Chale Island
Chale Island is a wooded island retreat off Kenya’s south coast, with a sheltered beach, varied Swahili-inspired accommodation and a choice of restaurants. It offers a distinct island atmosphere within reach of Diani, with sea conditions and tides part of the experience.
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Kenyan Coast
Kinondo Kwetu
Kinondo Kwetu is a family-owned beach retreat at the quieter end of Galu Beach, south of Diani. Individually furnished cottages and villa rooms, changing dining settings and a wide range of activities give it the warmth and flexibility of a coastal home.
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Kenyan Coast
Manda Bay
Manda Bay is a relaxed, family-run beach lodge on the northern tip of Manda Island. Its open-air cottages, sailing and watersports make this a coastal stay shaped by the sea, rather than a conventional resort.
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Kenyan Coast
Peponi Hotel
Peponi is a family-run hotel on the waterfront at Shela, where Lamu's village life meets a long sandy beach. Individually styled rooms, seafood dining and a sociable terrace give it a character quite different from a secluded resort.
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Kenyan Coast · Exclusive use
Sirai Beach
Sirai Beach is an exclusive-use coastal home above the Indian Ocean at Kilifi, with six suites for up to twelve guests. Ocean views, tropical gardens and private dining create a secluded alternative to a larger resort after a Kenya safari.
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Kenyan Coast
The Cabanas Lamu
The Cabanas is a small, solar-powered retreat on Kizingoni Beach, on Lamu's quieter south-western coast. Seven individually crafted cabanas, shared dining and easy access to sailing and wellness create a relaxed alternative to a conventional beach hotel.
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Kenyan Coast
The Majlis Resort
The Majlis is a beachfront hotel on Manda Island, facing Shela across the water in the Lamu Archipelago. Thirty-nine rooms and suites, varied dining and boat-based excursions offer a coastal stay that combines beach time with the area’s cultural life.
View propertyPlan Your Kenya Beach Holidays
Compare Diani, Watamu and Lamu before choosing a beach stay, or see how the coast works after safari in our Kenya honeymoon guide.
Use our Kenya seasonal guide to compare travel months, explore suggested itineraries and guide prices, and compare Kenya camps, lodges and hotels. For a route designed around your dates and interests, speak to our Kenya specialists.
Start planning
Tell us what you have
in mind.
We will help you find the right route and a realistic budget before preparing a detailed proposal.
Start planningor call +44 (0) 1235 635749