Passing time in Mombasa

Mombasa Town and Coast

Hundreds of years of history as an important East African trading port have shaped the coral island of Mombasa into what it is today.  Here you will find beautiful palm fringed sandy beaches mixed with a rich and fascinating culture to create a unique and vibrant tourist destination.

Mombasa Coast

Whether you are looking for a base to actively explore this fascinating region, or just somewhere to unwind and find peace, Mombasa 's north and south coasts have everything you could wish for. Both have offshore reefs that are alive with coral, innumerable fish, turtles and dolphins and the outer and inner reef walls offer world class diving with spectacular coral gardens and drop off points.

Mombasa's South Coast

The coastline south of Mombasa is a tropical paradise of palm fringed white sandy beaches, where the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean meet beautiful coral reefs. The protective reefs have created perfect beaches with calm and inviting waters.  The beaches are bordered by lush coastal rainforests with prolific bird life and a variety of wildlife including baboons, colobus monkeys and even leopard.

Mombasa's North Coast

North of Mombasa, you will find stunning deserted beaches. This coastline is a world of enthralling history and natural beauty.  The coast is lined with pristine palm fringed beaches lapped by warm waters. These are the closest beaches to Mombasa and ideal for visitors wishing to explore the city and spend time relaxing in this tropical paradise.

Mombasa town

When Vasco de Gama sailed into the harbour on Easter Sunday 1498, he found a thriving Arab port and the influence of Arabic culture is still strong and quite evident in the food, dress and the architecture. Situated alongside the city is the Old Town and a walk through the streets is like going back in time.

European culture and history is also well represented and one of the main places of interest in the city is Fort Jesus which is located on the edge of a coral ridge overlooking the entrance to the Old Port of Mombasa. The Portuguese built the fort in 1593 to protect their trade route to India and their interests in East Africa and it is hailed today as one of the best examples of 16th century Portuguese military architecture.

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