Weather on the Kenya coast at a glance
Temperatures change little through the year. Daytime highs in Mombasa stay between 27.7 and 32.6 °C (82 to 91 °F), and nights between 20.3 and 24.2 °C (69 to 76 °F). Rain is what separates the months. The coast has a long rainy period from March to May and a second, lighter one from October to December, according to the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD).
There is no single best month. The right time depends on whether you want calm beach days, wind for kitesurfing or a safari on dry roads. Figures below are for Mombasa. No separate monthly series for Diani or Watamu is published here, so use Mombasa as a regional guide only.
Mombasa weather by month
Average daily highs and lows and monthly rainfall.
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32.0 | 23.2 | 33 |
| February | 32.3 | 23.6 | 15 |
| March | 32.6 | 24.2 | 56 |
| April | 31.2 | 23.9 | 163 |
| May | 29.3 | 22.7 | 240 |
| June | 28.4 | 21.3 | 80 |
| July | 27.7 | 20.4 | 70 |
| August | 27.9 | 20.3 | 66 |
| September | 28.8 | 20.8 | 72 |
| October | 29.6 | 22.0 | 97 |
| November | 30.6 | 23.1 | 92 |
| December | 31.6 | 23.3 | 75 |
The values come from the Kenya Meteorological Department through the World Meteorological Organization. The data set was submitted in 2002 and does not name its reference years. Read it as a pattern of the seasons, not as a forecast or a recent measurement.
Rainy seasons on the coast
KMD describes March to May as the long rains and October to December as another rainy period. The table fits that. March, April and May together bring 459 mm, and October to December bring 264 mm. April and May alone give 403 mm, about 38 percent of the year.
A dry month is not a rain-free month. January and February are the driest and still show 33 and 15 mm. Monthly totals can differ by place, so Diani, Watamu and Malindi may not match Mombasa exactly.
July and August are the coolest months, with highs near 28 °C (82 °F) and lows near 20 °C (69 °F).
Our pick: a boat day outside the long rains
April and May bring about 400 mm of rain between them, so a full day on the water is easier to plan in other months.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. 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.
Tours on the Kenya coast
Boat trips, safaris and city tours along the coast, with live prices and availability.
Best time to visit the Kenya coast
Match the month to what you want to do.
Beach days
January to March is the driest stretch in the table and also the hottest, with highs near 32 °C (90 °F). Highs stay above 27 °C (81 °F) in every month, so the beach is possible all year. Pick your month by how much rain you accept.
Kitesurfing
A local kite school describes two wind windows at Diani. Kaskazi runs from about mid-December to mid-March and Kuzi from about mid-June to mid-September. These are typical periods, not daily guarantees.
Diani Beach guide →Safari
Heavy rain can close park roads. In March 2026 the press reported flooding that closed routes at the Sala access to Tsavo East, with Bachuma and Voi named as alternatives. Ask your operator which gates are open for your date.
Tsavo East guide →Boat trips and snorkeling
Sea conditions matter more than rain. KMD publishes a seven-day marine forecast with wind and wave heights. Check it before a boat day and follow the crew if a trip is moved or canceled.
Wasini and Kisite guide →Diani Beach weather: tides, waves and seaweed
On the beach, the tide changes the day more than the forecast does. A local kite school describes shifting water depth, surf at high tide, and corals, stones, shells and sea urchins exposed at low tide. Reef shoes help. Check the tide before you swim or walk on the reef, and ask your hotel about the beach in front of it.
Seaweed can wash up on some beaches. No reliable calendar for it exists, and it does not follow the same months in Diani and Watamu, so do not plan around one month. Ask your hotel about current conditions on your dates.
See our beach comparison for how the beaches differ, and the Diani Beach guide for kitesurf bases.
North of the area covered here
Lamu has its own guide.
Lamu lies further north and has its own pages. For weather there, see the Lamu guide on Lamu weather guide. For wider planning, our where to stay guide and safety page go with this one.
Kenya coast weather: frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit the Kenya coast?
There is no single best month. January to March is the driest and hottest part of the Mombasa table. Kitesurfers look at mid-December to mid-March and mid-June to mid-September. July and August are the coolest. Rain falls in every month, so pack for it.
When is the rainy season in Mombasa?
KMD names March to May as the long rains and October to December as another rainy period. May is the wettest month in the table, with 240 mm.
How hot is Diani Beach?
Mombasa highs run from 27.7 °C in July to 32.6 °C in March. Diani may differ slightly, because the table has no separate Diani series.
Is it too wet to travel in April and May?
These are the wettest months, with 163 and 240 mm. Safari roads are the part most likely to be affected, as the March 2026 flooding at Tsavo East showed, so confirm gates with your operator. Pack rain gear and keep a plan for a wet day.
Is there a fixed seaweed season?
No reliable calendar exists. Seaweed varies by beach and by year, so ask your hotel about the beach in front of it just before you arrive.