Mombasa is a coastal city in Kenya that offers a variety of adventure and sports activities for visitors of all ages and interests. Whether you are looking for water parks, diving, snorkeling, kite surfing, golfing, or safari tours, you will find something to suit your taste and budget in Mombasa. Here are some of the best options to explore.

Water Parks

If you are traveling with kids or just want to have some fun in the sun, water parks are a great option to enjoy in Mombasa. There are several water parks in the city that offer slides, pools, fountains, and other attractions for a refreshing and exciting day out. Some of the most popular water parks in Mombasa are:

• Wild Waters: This is the largest water park in Mombasa, featuring 15 slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, a rain dance area, and a kids’ zone. It also has a restaurant, a bar, and a gift shop on site. The entrance fee is 1,500 KES for adults and 1,000 KES for children.
• Jolly Roger: This is a family-friendly water park that offers slides, splash pads, bumper boats, and a pirate ship. It also has a restaurant, a bar, and a playground on site. The entrance fee is 500 KES for adults and 300 KES for children.
• Pirates Beach: This is a beachfront water park that offers slides, pools, jet skis, banana boats, and parasailing. It also has a restaurant, a bar, and a beach volleyball court on site. The entrance fee is 300 KES for adults and 200 KES for children.

Diving and Snorkeling

Mombasa is blessed with a rich marine life and coral reefs that make it an ideal destination for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. You can explore the underwater world of colorful fish, turtles, dolphins, rays, sharks, and more in the clear and warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Some of the best diving and snorkeling spots in Mombasa are:

• Mombasa Marine National Park: This is a protected area that covers 210 square kilometers of marine habitats, including coral gardens, seagrass beds, mangroves, and sandy beaches. It is home to over 200 species of fish, 35 species of coral, 4 species of turtles, and many other marine creatures. You can access the park by boat from various locations along the coast. The entrance fee is 300 KES for residents and 17 USD for non-residents.
• Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park: This is another protected area that covers 39 square kilometers of marine habitats, including coral reefs, islands, and sandbanks. It is home to over 250 species of fish, 40 species of coral, 4 species of dolphins, and many other marine creatures. You can access the park by boat from Shimoni or Wasini Island. The entrance fee is 300 KES for residents and 22 USD for non-residents.
• Nyali Reef: This is an accessible reef that lies close to the shore of Nyali Beach. It offers easy dives and snorkels for beginners and intermediate divers. You can see various fish, corals, rays, turtles, and occasionally sharks in this reef. You can rent equipment from various dive centers along the beach.

Kite Surfing

Kite surfing is a thrilling sport that combines surfing and flying. You can glide on the waves using a board and a kite that harnesses the power of the wind. Mombasa has several spots that offer ideal conditions for kite surfing, such as steady winds, flat waters, and wide beaches. Some of the best kite surfing spots in Mombasa are:

• Che Shale: This is a secluded beach north of Mombasa that offers consistent winds from July to September and December to March. It has shallow waters and sandy bottoms that make it suitable for beginners and advanced kite surfers alike. You can rent equipment or take lessons from Che Shale Kite Centre on site.
• Diani Beach: This is a popular beach south of Mombasa that offers strong winds from June to October and January to March. It has deep waters and coral reefs that make it suitable for intermediate and advanced kite surfers. You can rent equipment or take lessons from H2O Extreme on site.
• Bamburi Beach: This is an accessible beach north of Mombasa that offers moderate winds from July to September and December to March. It has flat waters and sandy bottoms that make it suitable for beginners and intermediate kite surfers. You can rent equipment or take lessons from Kite Surfing Kenya on site.

Golfing

Golfing is a relaxing and enjoyable sport that allows you to enjoy the scenic views and fresh air of Mombasa. There are several golf courses in the city that offer different levels of difficulty and amenities for golfers of all skills and preferences. Some of the best golf courses in Mombasa are:

• Nyali Golf and Country Club: This is an 18-hole course that was established in 1958. It is set in a lush tropical garden with views of the Indian Ocean. It has a par of 71 and a length of 6,715 yards. It also has a clubhouse, a restaurant, a bar, and a pro shop on site. The green fee is 3,000 KES for residents and 50 USD for non-residents.
• Leisure Golf Club: This is an 18-hole course that was established in 1998. It is located in the Leisure Lodge Resort on Diani Beach. It has a par of 72 and a length of 6,802 yards. It also has a clubhouse, a restaurant, a bar, and a pro shop on site. The green fee is 3,500 KES for residents and 60 USD for non-residents.
• Vipingo Ridge: This is an 18-hole course that was established in 2009. It is located in a private residential estate on the north coast of Mombasa. It has a par of 72 and a length of 7,295 yards. It also has a clubhouse, a restaurant, a bar, and a pro shop on site. The green fee is 4,000 KES for residents and 80 USD for non-residents.

Safari Tours

Safari tours are a must-do activity when visiting Mombasa. You can experience the wildlife and nature of Kenya in various national parks and reserves that are within driving distance from the city. You can see the Big Five (lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, and leopard), as well as giraffes, zebras, antelopes, wildebeests, hippos, crocodiles, and many more animals in their natural habitats. Some of the best safari tours in Mombasa are:

• Tsavo East National Park: This is the largest national park in Kenya, covering 13,747 square kilometers of savannahs, woodlands, rivers, and hills. It is famous for its red elephants, man-eating lions, and other wildlife. You can access the park by road from Mombasa in about 2 hours. The entrance fee is 860 KES for residents and 52 USD for non-residents.
• Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary: This is a private wildlife sanctuary that covers 110 square kilometers of rolling hills and plains. It is home to over 50 species of mammals and 300 species of birds. You can access the sanctuary by road from Mombasa in about 3 hours. The entrance fee is included in the accommodation packages offered by Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge and Sarova Taita Hills Game Lodge on site.
• Mzima Springs: This is a natural oasis that produces over 250 million liters of fresh water per day from underground sources. It is located in Tsavo West National Park and attracts various wildlife such as hippos, crocodiles, fish, monkeys, and birds. You can access the springs by road from Mombasa in about 4 hours. The entrance fee is included in the Tsavo West National Park fee which is 860 KES for residents and 52 USD for non-residents.

Mombasa is a city that offers adventure and sports activities for everyone. Whether you want to have fun in the water, explore the underwater world, fly on the waves, play golf, or go on safari tours, you will find something to make your trip memorable and enjoyable in Mombasa.

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