Mombasa follows East Africa Time (EAT), UTC+3.
Kenya does not observe daylight saving time, so the time remains the same throughout the year.

Because of its near-equatorial location, sunrise and sunset vary only slightly across seasons:

  • Sunrise: approximately 6:15 am – 6:35 am

  • Sunset: approximately 6:20 pm – 6:45 pm

Day length remains relatively stable year-round.

MOMBASA · EAT (UTC+3)

Climate 

Mombasa is warm throughout the year. Daytime temperatures typically range between 28°C and 32°C, with higher humidity during the rainy seasons. Evenings rarely fall below 23°C, particularly along the shoreline.

Seasonal changes are driven less by temperature and more by:

  • Rainfall patterns

  • Humidity

  • Monsoon wind direction

Sea temperatures remain warm throughout the year, generally between 26°C and 29°C, making swimming possible in every season.

Monthly Climate Averages – Mombasa

Below is a long-term monthly average guide for rainfall, humidity and temperature along the Mombasa coast.

Month Avg High Avg Low Rainfall Humidity Sea Temp Wind Season
Jan 32°C 24°C 30 mm 73% 28°C Kaskazi
Feb 32°C 24°C 20 mm 72% 29°C Kaskazi
Mar 33°C 25°C 60 mm 74% 29°C Kaskazi
Apr 31°C 24°C 260 mm 80% 28°C Transition
May 29°C 23°C 300 mm 84% 27°C Kusi begins
Jun 28°C 22°C 120 mm 78% 26°C Kusi
Jul 28°C 21°C 75 mm 75% 26°C Kusi
Aug 28°C 21°C 60 mm 74% 26°C Kusi
Sep 29°C 22°C 45 mm 72% 27°C Kusi
Oct 30°C 23°C 90 mm 73% 28°C Transition
Nov 31°C 24°C 110 mm 76% 28°C Short Rains
Dec 32°C 24°C 70 mm 75% 28°C Kaskazi

 

What This Means

  • April and May are typically the wettest months (long rains).

  • June to September are slightly cooler and less humid.

  • January to March are the warmest and generally drier months.

  • Sea conditions are swimmable year-round.

Monsoon System & Coastal Winds

Two seasonal wind systems shape ocean conditions along the Kenyan coast.

Kaskazi (December – March)

North-easterly winds.
Warmer air temperatures.
Generally calmer sea surface.
Favourable conditions for diving and snorkelling.

Kusi (May – September)

South-easterly winds.
Stronger ocean movement.
More noticeable wave action.
Popular period for kite surfing and wind-based water sports.

Wind direction influences sea state more than rainfall totals.

Understanding Mombasa’s Tides

Mombasa has a semi-diurnal tidal system, meaning there are typically two high tides and two low tides each day.

Tidal range can exceed 3.5 metres, which significantly affects beach conditions.

Practical Impacts of Tide Levels

  • Below 0.5 m → Reef exposure, sandbanks visible, ideal for reef walks

  • 1–2 m → Shallow swimming, broader beach areas

  • Above 3 m → Narrower beaches, deeper water close to shore

Tide timing is critical for:

  • Snorkelling access

  • Sandbank visits

  • Boat departures

  • Reef exploration

  • Beach walking at Nyali, Bamburi, Pirates and Diani

Tide variation is driven by the lunar cycle rather than by season.

This Week’s Tide Table – Mombasa

Below is a current example of tide movements for the week

 

1st Tide 2nd Tide 3rd Tide 4th Tide
Thu 26 5:21 am
▼ 1.4 m
 11:17 am
▲ 1.97 m
 4:52 pm
▼ 1.46 m
   ▲ 6:28 am ▼ 6:40 pm
Fri 27 12:22 am
▲ 2.69 m
 7:40 am
▼ 1.23 m
 1:47 pm
▲ 2.19 m
 7:19 pm
▼ 1.36 m
 ▲ 6:28 am ▼ 6:40 pm
Sat 28 1:58 am
▲ 2.92 m
 8:44 am
▼ 0.92 m
 2:48 pm
▲ 2.57 m
 8:35 pm
▼ 1.05 m
 ▲ 6:28 am ▼ 6:39 pm
Sun 1 2:54 am
▲ 3.21 m
 9:24 am
▼ 0.63 m
 3:29 pm
▲ 2.94 m
 9:24 pm
▼ 0.75 m
 ▲ 6:28 am ▼ 6:39 pm
Mon 2 3:37 am
▲ 3.44 m
 9:57 am
▼ 0.4 m
 4:04 pm
▲ 3.26 m
 10:04 pm
▼ 0.5 m
 ▲ 6:28 am ▼ 6:39 pm
Tue 3 4:13 am
▲ 3.58 m
 10:27 am
▼ 0.24 m
 4:36 pm
▲ 3.51 m
 10:39 pm
▼ 0.34 m
 ▲ 6:28 am ▼ 6:38 pm
Wed 4 4:46 am
▲ 3.63 m
 10:56 am
▼ 0.17 m
 5:07 pm
▲ 3.65 m
 11:12 pm
▼ 0.27 m
 ▲ 6:28 am ▼ 6:38 pm

 

Planning by Activity

Activity Best Period Notes
Snorkelling January – March Mid to rising tide
Diving January – March Calmer seas
Sandbank Visits Year-round Lowest tide required
Reef Walks Any month Tide under 0.5 m
Kite Surfing June – September Strong Kusi winds
Quiet Travel April, May Lower hotel rates