Beaches in Mombasa

Diani is the beach most Mombasa holidays are built around, a long run of white sand 30 km south of the city across the Likoni ferry. A fringing reef keeps the water calm and shallow, which suits nervous swimmers and makes the snorkelling and kitesurfing dependable. It has the widest choice of resorts on the coast and the liveliest evenings.

Nyali is the closest resort beach to Mombasa city and the one that needs no ferry, just the Nyali Bridge off the island. White sand, a reef offshore that keeps the water calm, and a long walk out to the sea at low tide. Most of Mombasa's older beach hotels sit along this strip, and glass bottom boats run from here into Mombasa Marine National Park.

Bamburi is the busiest stretch of the North Coast, roughly 5 km of firm white sand about 12 km from the city centre. The reef makes it one of the easier places on this coast for a casual swim, and watersports operators are simple to find along the hotel line. Haller Park, a limestone quarry rehabilitated into woodland and wetland, is a short drive inland.

Tiwi is the quiet answer to Diani, 17 km south of Mombasa and reached by the same Likoni ferry. Fewer hotels, far fewer beach vendors, and a shallow lagoon behind the reef. Low tide opens up rock pools, which is why snorkellers and birdwatchers come. Pick Tiwi over Diani if you want an empty beach and can live with a thinner choice of restaurants.

Shanzu sits at the northern end of the resort strip, past Bamburi and about 20 km from the city. It is a short, sheltered beach backed by hotels, and the tide changes it completely: a wide sand flat at low water, a proper swimming lagoon at high. Dhow trips and deep sea fishing boats leave from here. Good for: A quieter North Coast base that is still close to Mombasa

Locally called Pirates, this is Mombasa's main free public beach, sitting between Nyali to the south and Bamburi to the north. It is where the city itself goes at weekends and on public holidays, so expect crowds, music and food stalls rather than a quiet swim. Weekday mornings are calm. Changing rooms, showers and eateries are on site.

Galu Kinondo is the southern continuation of Diani, quieter and with almost no beach vendors working it. Low tide exposes a very wide sand flat, so plan a swim around high water. Kitesurfing schools use this stretch because the lagoon is shallow and the wind is steady. It is about 15 minutes further on from Diani.

Copa Cabana sits at Mtwapa, 16 km north of Mombasa on the Malindi road, and it is more a weekend hangout than a swimming beach. People come for the beach bars, music and grilled food, and it is busiest on Sunday afternoons. Treat it as an evening out rather than a full beach day.

Shelly Beach is on the Likoni side, a short hop across the ferry and about 10 minutes from Mombasa Island. It is a small white sand beach with calm water, but sea urchins are common in the shallows, so do not go in without water shoes and local advice. Most people come for a few hours and a meal at one of the hotels rather than a swim.