Beaches, Creeks, Coves in Kilifi
Mtwapa Creek: A Picturesque Inlet
Mtwapa Creek is a picturesque inlet along the Kenyan coast, 16 km north of Mombasa city, renowned for its beauty and ecological significance. Not too long ago, the sense of place at Mtwapa Creek did not connect the traveller visually with the pleasing austerity of the surroundings, across the territorial boundary of Mombasa and Kilifi counties. The rickety and wonky floating bridge, a chain ferry crammed with cars, cargo and passengers, heaved and hauled with great effort by municipal workers guiding it across the creek, was anything but enjoyable.
The wave of infrastructure development in the 1980s upended its prospects. The 192 m-long Mtwapa Bridge was completed in 1980, as was Nyali Bridge (330 m). The following year Kilifi Bridge (420 m) was commissioned for service, indubitably making access to North Coast easier. Today, the view of Mtwapa Creek from the vantage of the bridge, at most hours of day strewn with a flotilla of small boats and yachts, is lovely. It sets the mood for pleasurable anticipation of bliss. Mtwapa Creek is popular for boat rides, birdwatching, and exploring the mangrove forests.
The creek itself is a long narrowed semi-enclosed tropical estuarine tidal inlet that extends 14 km inland. It is lined on either flank by mangrove forests and drawn-out mudbanks, and fed by fresh water input draining seasonal rivers Kwa Ndovu, Kashani and Kidutani. Its azure waters are parted from the open ocean by the coral reel system of the Bahari ya Wali lagoon. At the mouth, it is also connected through a channel system to the deeper Shanzu-Nyali-Bamburi lagoon. Mtwapa Creek plays a vital role in supporting local communities through fishing to boot.
At Mtwapa Marina travellers can enjoy scuba diving, fishing, and a meal and drinks at Moorings Floating Restaurant, La Marina Restaurant or Club Lambada. Then, in the almost always pleasant tropical weather, take a boat ride, which is the best way to take in the sights. Reports in the past decade on the creek’s relatively eutrophic state, owing to anthropogenic activity of vicinal foundings – notably of waste from Shimo la Tewa, the villages of Kashani, Kidutani, Mtepeni and Mtomondoni, and nearby of resorts, has put a damper on swimming.
Places of interest near Mtwapa Creek include the ruins of Jumba la Mtwana and the mid 18th century Shimo la Tewa. As you move further away from Mtwapa Creek, direction Kilifi, a developed low ridge of hills – Kidongo, 502 ft, Mwembe Chungu, 456 ft, Gongoni, 470 ft, Mtoni, 530 ft, and Mkomani 456 ft – form the coastal ridge seen between Mtwapa and Kilifi Creek, 56 km away. North of Kilifi Creek the hills rise still higher and attain a maximum for the area of 747 ft, at Sokoke. Mtwapa Creek is located 16 km north of Mombasa via the B8 Road.
Kenya is renowned for its stunning coastline along the Indian Ocean, offering a variety of beautiful beaches that cater to different preferences – from bustling resorts to quiet, secluded coves and picture-postcard creeks. Diani Beach, known for its powdery white sands and turquoise waters, is, perhaps, the most popular. Yet, each offers a unique experience, in almost always perfect tropical weather.
Index of Beaches, Creeks and Coves in Kenya
Busia County - Port Florence, Marenga Beach, Homa Bay County - Takawiri Island Beach, Kilifi County - Mtwapa Creek, Kikambala Beach, Takaungu Creek, Vuma Cliffs, Kilifi Creek, Bofa Beach, Mida Creek, Watamu Beach, Turtle Bay, Garoda Beach, Malindi Beach, Mambrui Beach, Kisumu County - Luang'ni Beach, Kwale County - Tiwi Beach, Diani Beach, Gazi Beach, Msambweni Beach, Munje Beach, Lamu County - Kizuke Bay, Lamu Beach, Shela Beach, Kizingoni Beach, The Manda Toto, Kiwayu Beach, Ras Kitau, Migori County - Muhuru Bay, Lake Victoria Sanctuary, Mombasa County - Tudor Creek, Shelly Beach, Nyali Beach, Bamburi Beach, Jomo Kenyatta Public Beach, Shanzu Beach
Touring Kilifi County offers a delightful blend of coastal beauty, lovely beaches, cultural richness, natural wonders, and fascinating ancient ruins. Whether you’re seeking pristine beaches, historical sites, or vibrant cultural experiences – or a combination, Kilifi promises a memorable and enriching travel experience.
You Are Here: Mtwapa Creek
Where to Next:
Explore Destinations Near Mtwapa Creek
A Guide to Kilifi County
A Summa Digest of Kilifi
About Kilifi Way Back When
95 Destinations in Kilifi County, arranged as one would visit these - south, north, east then north - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Shimo la Tewa Prison, Mtwapa Creek, Mtwapa Ruins, The Moorings, La Marina Restaurant, Jumba la Mtwana, Kikambala Beach, Vipingo Mosque Ruins, Kinuni Ruins, Kuruwitu Conservancy, Neem Tree House, Vipingo Ridge, Chasimba Cave, Kilifi Sisal Plantations, Vuma Cliffs, Old Town Takaungu, Takaungu Creek, Kitoka Ruins, Takaungu House, Beneath the Baobab Festival, Kilifi Creek, Kilifi Bridge, Kilifi Boatyard, Distant Relatives Lodge, Mnarani Ruins, Mnarani Snake Park, 3 Degrees South, Kamili House, Mazingira Park, Bofa Beach, Saltys Kitesurfing Bar & Restaurant, Bush Baby Kilifi, Casa Dalton, Panga ya Saidi Cave, River Rare Geo Park, Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Mwangea Hills Forest, Watamu Marine National Park, Uyombo Ruins, Rock & Sea Resort, Mida Creek, Sudi Island, Kirepwe Ruins, Watamu Beach, Ocean Sports Watamu, Medina Palms, Hemimways Watamu, A Rocha Eco Lodge & Conservation Centre, Watamu Treehouse, Garoda Beach, Tribe Watersports, Kite House, Local Ocean Conservation, Bio-Ken Snake Farm, Kiburugeni Ruins, Mgangani Ruins, Mida Creek Nature Camp, Gede Ruins, Kipepeo Butterfly Farm, Malindi Museum, Henry the Navigator Monument, Malindi Pier, Malindi Pillar Tomb, Malindi Waterfront Park, Portuguese Chapel, Vasco da Gama Pillar, Malindi Beach, Ndoro Sculpture Garden, White Elephant Sea & Art Lodge, Malindi Crocodile & Snake Farm, Malindi Marine National Park, Malaika Beach Sunbeds & Restaurant, Sawa Sawa Dhow Excursions, Lo Sfizio Coffee Shop, Lennox Art Gallery, Falconry of Kenya, Hanging Gardens, Malindi Golf & Country Club, River Sabaki Delta, Marafa Depression, Dakacha Woodland, Mekatilili wa Menza Site, Mambrui Dunes, Mambrui, Mambrui Tombs, Kibirakani Ruins, Che Shale Hotel Kitesurf Center, Ngomeni Shipwreck, Luigi Broglio Space Centre, The Nyika Plateau, Galana Conservancy, Ngala Mausoleum, Rabai Museum, Kaya Kambe Shrine, Thomas Wakefield Memorial Church
Know More About Kilifi County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including strip maps, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Kilifi can be split into three zones – the narrow coastal plain, varying in width from 3 kms to 20 km; few coastal hills lying below 30 ms asl, and the Nyika Plateau rising from 100ms to 340 ms asl.
For the greater part of the year, the climate along the coastal plain is pleasurable, though humid. Temperature ranges between 21C and 30C along the coast, and between 30C and 34C further inland.
