Hotels in Malindi

Malindi: Kenya's Coral Coast Town

Malindi sits on Kenya's Indian Ocean shore, 120 km north of Mombasa, where the Galana River meets the sea. Founded as a Swahili trading port centuries before Vasco da Gama anchored here in 1498, the town retains a layered history visible in the Portuguese Chapel of São Tomé — one of the oldest Christian structures in sub-Saharan Africa. The Malindi Marine National Park, established in 1968, protects coral reefs just offshore and draws snorkelers and divers year-round.

Where to Stay in Malindi

Hotels concentrate along Silversands Beach to the north and the quieter Casuarina Beach strip to the south. Budget guesthouses line the town centre near the Uhuru Gardens, while mid-range and resort properties spread along the coast road toward Watamu, 24 km south. The Italian community established since the 1970s gives northern Malindi a distinct café and restaurant scene.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Daily flights from Nairobi's Wilson Airport take under 90 minutes; the SGR train runs to Mombasa, then buses cover the remaining 2 hours.
• Best season: June–October brings dry southeast trade winds and calmer seas; April–May sees heavy rainfall.
• Currency: Kenyan shilling; USD widely accepted at beach hotels.
• Marine park: Entry fees apply for snorkelling and glass-bottom boat trips departing from the town jetty.