What to do on the Kenya coast at a glance
The list is a selection, not a ranking. Entries 1 to 4 are beach, fort, Old Town and park in and around Diani and Mombasa. Entries 5 to 9 lie in the marine parks and heritage sites between Mombasa and Kilifi. Entries 10 to 12 are the boat day to Wasini Island, Shimba Hills and a Tsavo East safari.
Prices are for adults and can change. Museum and monument fees changed on 7 May 2026. The park fees come from the Kenya Wildlife Service list of October 2025, and a court stop was reported soon after that list took effect, so confirm the price at booking. Opening hours on official pages sometimes differ from each other, so plan to arrive well before closing time.
Beach, fort and city (1 to 4)
The easiest half days around Diani and Mombasa.
1. Walk Diani Beach and Galu, or try kitesurfing
Diani has a long white beach, and Galu continues to the south. A kite school runs one spot at a cafe in southern Galu and a second at a lodge on Diani Beach. It lists the windy periods as roughly mid-December to mid-March and mid-June to mid-September, and it is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Those are typical periods, not daily wind guarantees. At low tide there are corals, stones and sea urchins, so reef shoes help.
Diani Beach guide →2. Visit Fort Jesus
The Portuguese built the fort between 1593 and 1596, and it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011. Since 7 May 2026 visitors from outside Africa pay $17 (adults) and $8 (children). A combined ticket with the Butterfly House costs $19 and $9. Payment is through eCitizen, not cash. The floors are uneven and parking is limited. Published hours differ: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the fee notice, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the fort's page.
Fort Jesus guide →3. Walk through Mombasa Old Town
The Old Town lies next to the fort, and the museum service lists it as a natural pairing. The German Foreign Office advises walking with a local guide even by day and avoiding night walks. A Fort Jesus ticket does not include a guided walk by itself.
Mombasa guide →4. See giraffes at Haller Park
Haller Park is a reclaimed quarry on the Mombasa to Malindi road, with giraffes, tortoises, reptiles and forest trails. It is run by the Bamburi group, not by the national park service. The operator lists KES 900 for Kenyan adults, KES 1,000 for East African residents and KES 2,400 for other visitors (children KES 500, 700 and 1,200), including VAT. Bring ID or a passport. Feeding times differ between sources, so ask at the gate.
Haller Park guide →Our picks: things to do
A food tour in Old Town, a day on the water at Wasini and a day safari in Shimba Hills.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Shimba Hills day safari with Sheldrick Falls hike
Hotel transfer, private transport, park entry, a game drive and guide fees, plus lunch and a swim at Shimba Green Lodge. Extra drinks at the lodge restaurant cost more.
Check availability →
Dhow trip to Wasini Island and Kisite
Pickup on the south coast, fins and masks (also with prescription lenses), breakfast, lunch and drinks, including two beers or two glasses of wine.
Check availability →
Old Town food tour with 15+ tastings
More than 15 tastings at 7 to 8 stops with a local guide and water, in groups of up to 8.
Check availability →Kenya coast tours and experiences
Dhow trips to Kisite, Mombasa city tours and Tsavo East safaris, with live prices and availability.
Reefs, creeks and ruins (5 to 9)
Marine parks and old stone towns between Mombasa and Kilifi.
5. Snorkel in Mombasa Marine Park
The Kenya Wildlife Service describes coral gardens, snorkeling and diving. Entry is $25 for non-resident adults and $15 for children. That fee is the park entry, not a boat trip or equipment hire, so ask what a trip includes.
Mombasa beaches →6. Swim and snorkel at Watamu
The Watamu Marine National Park is a no-take zone, and the reserve around it allows controlled sustainable use. Entry is $25 and $15 for non-residents. A turtle rehabilitation center in Watamu offers a one-hour visit with a minimum donation of KES 1,000 per person. Booking is required, and it is closed on Sundays and public holidays. Seeing turtles there is not guaranteed.
Watamu guide →7. Explore Mida Creek with a guide
The tourism board describes a guided mangrove and tidal activity that follows the ebbing water. Go with a guide, and do not jump into the current on your own.
Watamu and the creek →8. Walk the Gede ruins
UNESCO describes a Swahili town from the 10th to the 17th century, while the museum service dates its origin to the 12th century. Entry for visitors from outside Africa is $8 (adults) and $4 (children) since 7 May 2026. Payment is through eCitizen, and local guides are available. Hours are listed as either 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. or 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Gede ruins guide →9. See Kilifi Creek and the Mnarani ruins
Mnarani has medieval Swahili ruins with mosques and tombs, dated from the 14th century. Entry is $8 and $4 for visitors from outside Africa. Do not touch the fragile walls, and ask at the entrance if you want a guide. Check the US advisory before you plan beyond Kilifi town: it lists Kilifi County north of Highway C103 as Do Not Travel.
Kilifi guide →Boat day, forest and safari (10 to 12)
Full days that need an early start.
10. Take a boat day to Wasini Island and Kisite
Boat trips leave from Shimoni. Park entry is $25 and $15 for non-residents. One operator lists $137 per adult and $66 per child or Kenyan citizen, with transfers and marine park fees included, pickup from 7 to 7:30 a.m., snorkel gear, lunch on Wasini and a return to Diani around 5:30 p.m. Dolphins are not guaranteed. Do not take coral or shells, do not feed fish and do not touch marine animals.
Wasini Island guide →11. Drive up to the Shimba Hills
KWS lists sable antelope, elephants, coastal forest and the Sheldrick Falls. Entry is $50 for non-resident adults and $25 for children, and the gate is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Stay on the tracks, keep at least 20 m from animals and drive no faster than 40 km/h. Treat the falls as a guided hike. Swimming there is not a given.
Shimba Hills guide →12. Go on safari in Tsavo East
Entry is $80 for non-resident adults and $40 for children on the October 2025 list. A day trip from the coast means a pickup between 5:30 and 6:30 a.m. and a game drive until about 3 p.m. with one operator. For a gentler pace, add a night inland. No safari can promise a sighting.
Tsavo East guide →Entry fees at a glance
Visitors from outside Africa, adult and child. Check the current price before you pay.
| Place | Adult | Child | Source and date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Jesus | $17 | $8 | Museum service, from 7 May 2026 |
| Gede ruins | $8 | $4 | Museum service, from 7 May 2026 |
| Mnarani ruins | $8 | $4 | Museum service, from 7 May 2026 |
| Marine parks (Mombasa, Watamu, Malindi, Kisite) | $25 | $15 | Wildlife service, October 2025 list |
| Shimba Hills | $50 | $25 | Wildlife service, October 2025 list |
| Tsavo East | $80 | $40 | Wildlife service, October 2025 list |
| Haller Park (non-East African resident) | KES 2,400 | KES 1,200 | Park operator, including VAT |
Wildlife service fees are valid for 24 hours of access, not for several days. A Tsavo East ticket does not automatically cover Tsavo West.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pages that fit this list.
Best beaches in Kenya
Beaches from Diani to Malindi, with tide and reef tips.
Tours compared
Boat trips, safaris and city tours, and what to check.
Safari and beach
Day trip or several nights in the park.
Where to stay
Which area fits your plans.
Lamu, further north, has its own guide: see things to do in Lamu.
Things to do on the Kenya coast: frequently asked questions
Is this list a ranking?
No. It is an editorial selection that mixes beaches, heritage sites, parks and safari. Pick the entries that match your season and your time.
How do I pay for entry?
The museum service lists eCitizen payment and no cash at Fort Jesus and Gede, and it also names ticket desks at museum entrances. The wildlife service points to its own online payment portal. Ask at the entrance what is accepted that day.
Can I swim at the Sheldrick Falls?
Do not assume so. The Shimba Hills falls are a guided hike, and the UK FCDO warns about swimming in rivers and lakes because of animals and infections. It also notes that swimming in national parks is illegal.
Will I see dolphins or big animals?
No operator can promise it. Dolphin trips and game drives are wildlife viewing, and encounters are unpredictable. Keep the distances that the park rules ask for.
Can I walk the Old Town alone?
The German Foreign Office recommends a local companion for the Old Town even in daytime and advises against night walks and quiet beaches. Joining a guided walk is the simplest way to follow that.