Of Beaches, Creeks and Coves

Kenya’s Sun and Lovers Beach Destinations

The best beaches, creeks and coves in the Kenya offer diverse experiences, from sandy stretches perfect for families to dramatic lake shores ideal for boating and exploring. Beaches in Kenya are primarily linked to the three large water bodies of Indian Ocean, Lake Victoria and Lake Turkana, with each boasting its own unique charm and attractions. To better understand Kenya one may look at it this way: It straddles the equator, the land rising from the coast in the southeast to altitudes of over 10,000 feet in the central and western highlands before dropping down into Lake Victoria in the west astride the Equator, and Lake Turkana in the far north.

The center of interest for visitors to the coast region of Kenya – by far the most popular sun-lovers destination, is on the principal beaches of Nyali off Mombasa Mainland, South Coast – including the waxed-lyrical Diani Beach, North Coast at Watamu and Malindi, and off the archipelago of Lamu at the extreme north. This beaches lie along Kenya’s 512 km coastline that links to Somalia in the north and Tanzania to the south. It is possible to walk the entire length of Kenya’s coastline, unrestricted, along its the developed beaches. For prosperity and to encourage local touring, stretches of principal beaches lined with ocean-facing resort are oft interspersed with public beaches, agreeably in the most salubrious areas to boot,

The seaward margin of Kenya’s coastline is sheltered by a coral reef which, in its natural state, supports the shallow coastline, ergo masses of sand, eroded coral and decayed material transported from where about, washed up inshore by the pared-down waves, with a weak backwash, over eons, have piled up to form the the much-talked about white sandy beaches with considerable merit for mass tourism. Away from the Indian Ocean, sunsets are made for Lake Victoria. There are no less than 20 developed beaches along Kenya’s 337 km long lakeshore, in Kisumu, Homa Bay and Busia counties. The offshore islands of Homa Bay, and there are at least 15, are by far the most developed most notably of Mfangano, Rusinga and Takawiri – the latter offering picture-postcard white sand beaches.

Lake Turkana in the frontier north of Kenya is the largest and most saline lake in Kenya’s Lake System in the Great Rift Valley. 250 km long and 30 km wide it is the world’s largest desert lake covering a whooper 7,000 km2. With no outlets and a high evaporation rate it increases in salinity as a result of the depositing of salt in its soil and capping on the surface-river. No amount of infographics quite prepares anyone for the surprise of Lake Turkana. Perhaps, the most exciting and most memorable way to enjoy this oddity it to cruise along its shore by boat. The most developed beach at Lake Turkana is at the Eliye Springs in the south area.

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Kenya is home to a variety of public parks that offer recreational, historical, and cultural experiences. Located in the heart of cities and towns, these invaluable recreational parks offer open spaces, walking paths, and a serene environment for relaxation. Most pretty and well kept, public parks are ideal for peaceful strolls.

Index of Public Leisure Parks in Kenya



Kakamega County - Masinde Muliro Gardens, Kericho County - Chagaik Arboretum, Kitui County - Kalundu Eco Park, Kwale County - The Baraza Park, Laikipia County - Nanyuki Public Park, Machakos County - Machakos Peoples Park, Mombasa County - Mama Ngina Waterfront Park, Haller Park, Mombasa Railways Park, Kibarani, Nairobi County - Uhuru Gardens, Uhuru Park, Arboretum, City Park, Jeevanjee Gardens, The Karura Forest, Ngong Road Gardens, Michuki Memorial Park, Nakuru County - Nyayo Gardens, Nandi County - The Kapsomotwa Gardens, Nyeri County - Dedan Kimathi Memorial Park, Uasin Gishu County - Jubilee Park, Sosioni Park, Eldoret Arboretum

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