The beautiful seaside city with golden beaches that's the 'Maldives of Africa'

Mombasa has plenty of beaches to choose from. (Image: Getty)

Nicknamed the Maldvies of Africa by travel and entertainment YouTuber, KNT, Mombasa is home to crystal-clear waters and white sand beaches. Popular beaches like Diani, Nyali, and Bamburi are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and watersports, with the warm tropical climate ensuring warm weather almost year-round. This coastal city in southeastern Kenya is located along the sparkling shores of the Indian Ocean, where the water is warm, clear, and brilliantly blue. 

Similar to the Maldives, Mombasa is surrounded by vibrant coral reefs. The Mombasa Marine National Park and reserves such as Watamu and Diani protect these stunning underwater gardens, where snorkelers and divers can spot fish of all kinds of vibrant colours, sea turtles, dolphins, and even rare coral species.

You can ride camels on Nyali Beach. (Image: Getty)

Its palm-fringed beaches stretch for miles, evoking that quintessential island feel.

Nyali Beach is a stunning stretch of white sandy coast known for its clear, warm waters, vibrant coral reefs, and beach camel rides, located just north of Mombasa Island, and offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and nearby attractions like Mamba Village and Haller Park. 

Known for its beautiful scenery and soft white sand, Bamburi Beach is also perfect for swimming, especially during high tide when the water is calm and inviting. It’s also popular for water sports like snorkelling and scuba diving, with a lively atmosphere and plenty of amenities.

Shelly Beach is loved for its peaceful environment and pristine white sands. It’s perfect for those wanting a more serene escape and offers excellent spots for seashell collecting and scuba diving.

Located south of Mombasa, Gazi Beach is also famous for its beauty, with mangrove forests and rich biodiversity. 

One TripAdvisor user wrote about Nyali Beach: "Quiet, clean, warm, beautiful. Local beach with few tourists. The sand is magnificent, brilliant white that doesn't get hot. The water was warm and the waves were perfect for all ages."

Another person said: "This is a coastal urban location with numerous modern facilities and amenities, including a theme park, malls and hotels. The beach is way cleaner and scenic."

Someone else wrote about Bamburi Beach: "This has been such a great beach in our family history, and we have wonderful memories of it. The scenery is beautiful, the sand is nice and soft, and high tide swimming is great!"