Imagine walking barefoot on soft white sand as the sun kisses your skin, and the sound of waves crashing on the shore lulls you into a state of pure relaxation. Welcome to the stunning beaches of Malindi, Kenya – a coastal paradise that will steal your heart.
Malindi is home to some of the most breathtaking beaches in the world, each with its own unique charm. From the popular Watamu Beach with its pristine waters and swaying palm trees to the secluded Marafa Hell’s Kitchen Depression with its dramatic sandstone cliffs and otherworldly landscapes, there’s no shortage of sandy spots to explore.
For those seeking a more active beach experience, Malindi offers a range of thrilling water sports activities. Go kite surfing or windsurfing at the famous Che Shale Beach, or explore the underwater world with a scuba diving or snorkeling adventure at the Malindi Marine National Park.
With endless stretches of sandy beaches, sparkling turquoise waters, and a rich cultural heritage, Malindi is a beach lover’s dream come true. So pack your sunscreen and swimsuit and get ready to discover the magic of this stunning coastal paradise.
Malindi Beaches and places to swim
Malindi’s coastline is split into three sections spanning 10 kilometers. The north section also referred to as the Golden Beach also locally known as Buntwani (Bunthwani) spans for miles and ends at the iconic Vasco Da Gama Pillar right after the pier, locally known as Buntwani.
Beyond the coral rocks are where begins Silver Sands Beach. This area spans 3 kilometers and comes to an end at the farthest coral rock.
Last but not least is the Marine Park beach, which is 1.5 kilometers long. A radio tower on top of a massive rock marks the end of this beach.
An Insight into Malindi Beaches
A vacation in Malindi will be incomplete if you do not visit at least one of the many amazing beaches in this coastal town of Kenya. Beaches are good places to cool off and bond with your friends and family during your vacations. If you have kids with you, be sure that a day spent at the beach with them will never go to waste because they will certainly enjoy it! Malindi, apart from being a good holiday destination offering world-class accommodations and beautiful sceneries, is also home to probably the best beaches you’ll ever visit.
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Silversands Beach
This is the most popular beach in Malindi and is famous because, at low tide, you can walk to the coral reefs and marvel at its different sea creatures without a struggle. At Silversands Beach, you can fully experience the Kenyan lifestyle as it is popular among the locals here, so many of them spend time at this beach in the afternoons and during the weekends.
Due to its long stretch of fine sand (about 3km), Silversands Beach is great for long walks of adventure while exploring different sea creatures. However, you should be careful to get back to the shores in time before the high tide. It is even recommended that you hire a beach boy during your walks to the reef as they know where exactly to find these creatures and how to avoid the dangerous ones like sea urchins. The locals here also know when it is time to head back to the shores.
Silversands Beach is also good for water-sport activities such as kitesurfing and windsurfing, so if you are one of those people who love engaging in outdoor activities, this is the beach that you should visit. For those who have an interest in history, the Vasco da Gama Pillar, one of the oldest monuments in Africa, stands to the northern end of this beach and you can certainly enjoy its view.
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Marine Park Beach
Of all the three beaches in Malindi, Malindi Marine Park Beach is the best-maintained natural beach. It is popular because of its long, fine sandy beaches and its alluring underwater world. For those driving to the beach, you will be required to pay an entry fee (inclusive of car parking). However, there is still ample space just outside the gate entry. While at this beach, you will be very comfortable since there are changing rooms, showers, and public toilets available. There are also lifeguards present all year round to make sure that everyone who visits the beach is safe.
Malindi Marine Park Beach is excellent for nature enthusiasts. With mangroves further away, palm trees in its background, and its fascinating underwater world, you won’t stop gaping at the indescribable magnificence of nature on this beach. The beach is also great for swimmers, especially at high tide. Even at low tide, you can still go for mudflat walks.
There are several activities that you can engage in while at Marine Park Beach. Besides swimming, you can enjoy glass-bottom boat rides and clearly see underwater creatures, snorkeling, and diving at the reefs. There are nearby diving schools that offer diving fees at affordable prices. If you are lucky, you may even get a chance to spot dolphins and sea turtles.
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Malindi Beach
This beach is locally referred to as Buntwani and has even been nicknamed ‘The Golden Beach’. The main source of attraction in Malindi Beach is its sand which looks like real gold in the glaring sunshine. The golden-brown sand in Malindi Beach has black stripes and is rich in iron, making the sand look like it is made of pure gold when it shimmers under the sun.
Malindi Beach is good for taking long walks. A walk on its beautiful sand while the water splashes against your feet will provide you with just the right kind of relaxation for your afternoon. Although the beach doesn’t greatly support water sports, its conditions during the period between May and September are usually excellent for surfing. If you are not an expert in surfing, worry not, because there is also room for beginners as well. You may have to bring your surfing equipment or hire some that are usually available at the beach during this time of the year.
The beach, however, is not the preference for many foreigners when it comes to swimming since the water looks dirty, and because of the sand, the waves look brown. This shouldn’t deter you from swimming either as this is one of the favorite spots that locals love to swim. If you aren’t a fan of swimming, the beach has one of the longest piers in Eastern Africa. The pier houses several businesses that offer photography and other services. You this place to relax and enjoy the cool Indian Ocean breeze.
Malindi beaches are all incredible in their unique ways and if you are planning on visiting Malindi for your next vacation, make sure to make a stop at one, or even all of these beaches.