Kenya North Coast Vs. Kenya South Coast : Where Should You Go On Vacation? With good cause, Mombasa on the Kenyan Coast is the country’s most popular tourist attraction. Together, these world-class beach resorts and some of the most exquisite and unspoiled sand beaches on the planet make for an incredible beach getaway in Mombasa. In addition, Mombasa is a historical and cultural hub that highlights the rich legacy of Swahili culture. These are a few of the things that have made Mombasa so well-known worldwide. The decision between the North Coast and the South Coast presents one dilemma, though, for anyone planning a beach vacation in Mombasa.
The beaches of Nyali, Shanzu, Bamburi, and English Point make up the North Coast, while the multi-award-winning Diani Beach and the lesser-known Tiwi Beach mostly define the South Coast. Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages to visiting either of the two seaside locations for a holiday. We’ll go into great detail about the main distinctions between the North Coast and South Coast to help you make your choice.
Accessibility
It is simple to get to both the North and South Coasts. One may be more accessible than the other, though, depending on the form of transportation chosen. Travelers’ favorite means of transportation is undoubtedly the Madaraka Express train, also known as the SGR (Standard Gauge Railway), especially if they are traveling from Nairobi, as most do when visiting Mombasa. From Nairobi, the capital, the train travels to Mombasa in five to six hours.
There is a noticeable distinction between the tourists traveling to the North Coast and those traveling to the South Coast at this point, though. The Mombasa train station is technically on the North Coast. About 20 kilometers separate the train station from the most notable beach resorts on the North Coast. Therefore, assuming perfect traffic conditions, a short taxi journey should get one to their preferred hotel in less than thirty minutes.
The boat service, which is frequently a traffic bottleneck, is the only way to go from the train station to the South Coast. One should allow around 1.5 hours to reach their accommodation, as the majority of beach resorts on the South Coast are at least 40 kilometers from the train station and there is severe traffic at the ferry crossing, especially during rush hour.
So far, it appears that the North Coast is winning the war on accessibility. On the other hand, the South Coast marginally outperforms the North Coast while traveling by plane from Nairobi to Mombasa. The Moi International Airport, which is roughly 15 kilometers from the majority of North Coast beach resorts, is the landing point for planes traveling to the North Coast. In terms of the South Coast, the Ukunda Airport is often located less than five kilometers from the majority of the beach resorts there. As a matter of fact, a good many of these resorts provide free airport transportation. Because of this, staying at South Coast hotels is even more affordable and convenient than staying at North Coast hotels while traveling by plane.
Beach Activities
When compared to beaches on the North Coast, Diani Beach on the South Coast is particularly noteworthy because of the abundance of enjoyable beach activities it provides. Diani offers skydiving and gliding, two activities that aren’t available on beaches along the North Coast. Conversely, Tiwi Beach is renowned for being a romantic retreat.
Not to be outdone, the North Coast’s beaches provide superior views of marine life because of the numerous marine parks that are located there, particularly when you include the Watamu and Malindi regions, which are technically on the North Coast.
That being said, taking a boat tour is a well-liked pastime on both sides. Travelers frequently take boat trips to distant islands in the ocean during low tide. These trips also include diving and snorkeling, as well as glass-bottom boat fishing.
Souvenir stores selling apparel, sculptures, and ornaments related to tribal and cultural traditions can be found along the beaches on the North Coast and South Coast. Given that Diani Beach has been named Africa’s best beach for five years running since 2015, choosing between the two shores may be made easier.
Tourists Sites
The Kenyan coast is also highly attractive due to tourism attractions outside of the beaches on either of the two sides. The North Coast is the overwhelming winner in this category. From historical locations like Old Town and Fort Jesus to fun places like Mamba Village, Go-Kart Mombasa, and Wild Waters, because Mombasa is part of the North Coast, it has better access to facilities, restaurants, and entertainment venues than it does to the South Coast. Therefore, if one is searching for anything more than merely a beach holiday, the North Coast is a better fit.
The Beach Hotels
If the price is any indication, the South Coast’s beach hotels ought to be somewhat superior to those on the North Coast. Another possibility is that hotels on the South Coast raise their rates because they are aware of how popular Diani Beach is. It is pointless to compare beach resorts on either shore. World-class resorts may be found on both coastlines, although the South Coast boasts more opulent, five-star properties than the North Coast. Maybe that’s why people think beach resorts on the South Coast are a little bit nicer.
What about the cost? Resorts on the South Coast are generally more expensive than those on the North Coast. But the 2020 coronavirus pandemic that swept the globe had a significant impact on hotel prices, particularly for South Coast accommodations. To entice travelers to stay at their hotels, the majority had to lower their rates. As a result, South Coast hotels have occasionally been less expensive than North Coast hotels during the pandemic.
CONCLUSION: NORTH COAST VS. SOUTH COAST KENYA
We can determine a few hard facts that will aid in our decision-making while deciding between the North and South Coasts. When taking a train, the North Coast is easier to reach. On the other hand, the South Coast is marginally easier to reach by plane.
The South Coast is the best place to go if you’re into beach activities, especially extreme ones like skydiving. The North Coast is a better choice for a more health-conscious holiday because it has more historical, cultural, and recreational attractions.
Lastly, putting aside the impact of the pandemic on prices, the North Coast offers slightly more reasonably priced resorts if cost or budget are the main considerations. Overall, no matter which coast one travels to, a pleasant holiday is guaranteed.
