The Kenyan coast is steeped in history, the Chinese were actually the first visitors to the East African coast followed by the Portuguese in the 1400s. Trade routes were set up in dealings with ivory, gold and spices. There are a number of different types of beaches ranging from tropical white sand with swaying palm trees to golden sandy beaches and massive dunes.

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The award-winning Diani beach has been voted as one of the best places to visit with its wide white sandy palm-fringed beaches and warm clear turquoise waters. Diani has a number of incredible places to stay with activities like kite surfing, snorkelling and diving. Diani is known for its endangered nesting turtles and Colobus monkeys. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect both species. Kenya’s main port and oldest city, Mombasa, is situated on an island and has a number of historic places to visit including Fort Jesus and the old town that still to this day feel like travelling back in time.

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Kilifi is a town that was built on a creek. It is known for its prehistoric shark teeth, huge mangrove forests stretching inland, yachting activities and kite surfing. Watamu lies north of Kilifi and has an incredible beach which has been voted as the 4th best beach in the world, with its white sandy shores and marine park. The beach is a known nesting area of the green back turtles and its coral outcrops that can be visited at low tide. It is also known for its internationally acclaimed deep-sea fishing, diving and snorkelling.

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Malindi’s first European visitor in the 1400s was Vasco Da Gama, a famous Portuguese explorer. A Malindi pilot guided him to India, opening up the first trade route used by Europeans from East Africa to India. Malindi is an historical town lying on a quiet bay with an Italian feel to it as many Italians have settled there. To one side there are brown sand dunes, some standing at a hundred-foot height and to the other, white sandy beaches with a marine park. Restaurants are a big draw and the old town is worth a visit.

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Lamu town dates back to the 1300s and lies north of Malindi on an island. It was originally a dry port for passing traders, who had their dhows sealed with shark’s liver oil before setting out on the long trips to India or the Yemen. The island has many interesting things to see and its water front is like something out of a movie scene. There are no cars allowed on the island, only donkeys that are known for speeding! Lamu is unique in that life has barely changed there in 400 years. The town is also known for its famous looking cats whose ancestors originate from China. Many international celebrities like to disappear in Lamu for a month and a number of them own properties there.