"Hemmed by miles of powder sand and home to an impressive golf course, this genteel suburb of the port city is that best-of-both-worlds blend - sea and sports in a leisurely setting and shops and markets just four miles away in Mombasa."
Cross the bridge from Mombasa Island to the Nyali headland and you enter a unique little enclave of up-market Kenya – and a glimpse of the country's past and present. You'll pass striking consulates. A Sikh temple here. A Victorian church there. Contemporary apartment buildings. And colonial villas in manicured gardens screened by tall trees. The golf course nestles behind the long beach. And even the ocean itself is given protected status here – a Marine National Park lying just off the gently shelving shores and begging to be explored.
But don't think it's all peace and quiet. You'll soon see a monkey pinching sugar bowls off al fresco tables and chucking them back down from the trees when the contents have been enjoyed. And, like most of the coast, a day on the beach may be punctuated by peddlers selling beads, bangles and other such tribal trinkets. So for all the sophistication of the suburb, you'll never forget you're in Kenya.
Windsurfing and scuba diving are among a variety of watersports. There are glass bottom boat trips over the reef. And with riding stables in Nyali, you could arrange an hour or two on horseback. As for wining and dining, take a taxi to Bamburi or to top class eateries near the Nakumatt hypermarket – for Chinese and traditional Kenyan cuisine. Make the most of the city and seafront combination.
Find the cheapest late deals to Nyali Beach leaving in the next six weeks.
Nyali Beach hotels and apartments
Our hotels and apartments in Nyali Beach include Nyali Beach Hotel and Voyager Beach Resort.
More Kenya holiday destinations
Looking for holidays in Kenya? Our Kenya holiday destinations include Bamburi Beach, Diani Beach, Kikambala, Mombasa, Nairobi, Nyali Beach and Watamu.
Beaches
Forming a wide stretch of fine, white powdery sand, the beach at Nyali is lapped by the warm waves of the Indian Ocean. Just offshore is a vivid coral reef that not only protects the sands but also provides amazing snorkelling and scuba diving opportunities. Hire a mask, a snorkel and some fins and prepare to be amazed as large shoals of fish circle brightly coloured coral heads beneath you. These are also perfect conditions for wind and kite surfing and with kite surfing being the big new attraction on Nyali beach, there is an excellent school at the Nyali Beach hotel.
Eating out
Nyali's hotels serve delicious food and offer high quality menus especially the seafood restaurants where you can sample the 'catch of the day' fresh from the Indian Ocean. Outside of the hotels there is a selection of restaurants serving everything from Kenyan dishes to excellent Indian meals and even Japanese sushi!
Nightlife
Nightlife is fairly limited with most of it taking place inside the larger hotels. However, there is a vibrant international nightclub if you're looking to dance the night away and also a casino if you're feeling lucky! Mombasa also offers a broad range of nightspots.
Shopping
Around Nyali are several shopping centres selling food, clothes and essentials. Many of the hotels have gift and souvenir shops where locally produced crafts can be purchased.
Local information
Nyali is home to an impressive 18 hole golf course as well as the Mamba Village crocodile park where you can meet 'Big Daddy', supposedly Africa's largest! Nearby at Bombolulu there is a craft workshop producing souvenirs and jewellery all hand made by a cooperative for the physically handicapped. Bamburi, just north of Nyali Beach, has a fantastic nature park that is definitely worth a visit when you feel like a change of scenery. A former limestone quarry, it is now home to indigenous flora and wildlife, including hippos, crocodiles and giraffes
Location
7km from Mombasa
Transfer time
About 30 minutes from Mombasa
Recommended
Luxury
