Africa is home to some of the most gorgeous beaches in the world and I am pleased to be able to share with you one beach that has a place in the centre of my heart (and I have a feeling will find a place in yours too). That beach is Bamburi Beach on the little Kenyan island of Mombasa. I must tell you that it is no ordinary beach and I would be surprised if some of the photographs in this article don’t tempt you into booking yourself on a flight immediately! The reason that Bamburi Beach is so magical is because there is so much that you can do on it, whatever the time of day, and I am going to provide insight in this article.
Wake up at sunrise to embrace the most peaceful place on earth
Wake up early and stretch in front of one of the most gorgeous sunrises that you will ever see. The sunrise on Bamburi Beach is a real breathtaking display of radiant colours and one of the best times to enjoy it is in the early morning at around 5.30 am. There is something very calm, serene and peaceful about this site at this time and I can guarantee you that once you’ve experienced it once, you will find yourself waking up early during your entire trip to enjoy it that little bit more. I am sure that you will love how the soft amber glow of the sunrise pours onto the surface of the ocean. It creates a focal point and a pathway, and for those of you that enjoy yoga, this is the spot to be doing your sunrise salute.
Take a leisurely walk or a full on run before it gets too hot
If you enjoy walking or want to have a workout, Bamburi Beach is a fine strip of white sands in which to do it. Put on your maxi dress or your exercise outfit on and let your feet hit the sand. The best time to enjoy these activities on the beach is before lunchtime as the beach can otherwise become a bit too hot to handle. If you’re having a walk, take your flip flops off and let the sand massage your feet whilst you take one step at a time. Take time to stop and find some seashells along the way. If you’re having a full on run, be thankful to the universe for giving you a workout heaven. Let the sand shift as you push off and are sprinting from one spot to another. You will use more strength and energy and most importantly, you will be releasing more positive endorphins than you could imagine.
Support the local people and shop on the beach
Bamburi Beach becomes a diverse and authentic shopping strip in the daytime for those that want to buy souvenirs. You will find some wonderful examples of local craftsmanship on the beach. From little ornamental wooden animals to more grand bookshelf stands, you will find it on this beach. If you want to buy something more personalised, then you may even find that one of the local traders can make you a keychain with your name on out of wood. Take your time to stroll through this beach bazaar and take a moment to appreciate the quality items that the local people have created for your keepsake. In my view, Bamburi Beach is nothing short of a paradise for travellers who are hoping to soak up and embrace the local culture.
Take a ride on some unique transportation
If it’s too hot to walk but you want to enjoy the beach, then I have to recommend that you take a ride on one of the many camels that are ready to give you a tour of Bamburi Beach. You can usually find a group of them lounging outside Aquadrom Yul’s. Get on your sun cream and get a dosage of vitamin D to improve your skin, health, mood and summer glow. Look at the porcelain blue sky and dazzling blue ocean as you pass by in style on a camel. Beware to hold on though because the camels move fast when they’re getting up, so you may find yourself jolting forward if not holding on tight. If you fancy exploring the ocean, then you may wish to consider doing some water sports or hopping onto a little boat which has a partially glass bottom so that you can see all the sea life.
Enjoy the coastal comfort lounges and treats to eat
The hotels, restaurants and bars on Bamburi Beach are full of heart and exemplify the Kenyan knack for providing unaffected enthusiasm and amazing food and drink to accompany the rolling ocean views. Head on over to Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa, Kenya Bay Beach Hotel or Severin Sea Lodge and enjoy a bite to eat and/or a drink at one of their many lovely spots. You can visit any of these establishments to eat or drink even if you’re not staying in them. You may also fancy trying Aquadrom Yul’s for some delicious ice cream. However, do be mindful that there will be security guards at the entrances of some of the establishments on the Bamburi coast and this is to ensure the safety and security for you and others on the premises.
Lie under the shade and have some time to relax
In the society that we live in, work plays such a huge part, and with work comes stress, so it’s important to ensure that you take some time out to relax. The beach is a great place to rest and re-energise because of the fresh air and the warmth of the glorious sun. Get your intake of vitamin D and take some time to practice mindfulness for a while. Lying on the beach and listening to the sound of the waves crashing on the shore is like the best music for mindfulness, so if you’re new to practising it, this is the place to be. It should be noted though that if you’re looking for sunbeds and chairs, you will not find these on the beach itself but rather within the confines of the hotels. The photograph in this section is from Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa, which offers shade on a sandy beach within the resort.
Appreciate the stunning sunset and be ready for an evening of fun
The Kenyan sunset is like watching a fire ignite in the sky and create a burst of different colours that spread across the blue sky and create an artistic and natural site. The red, orange, pink, purple and blue create a vibrant backdrop which contrasts with the shadows of the waves as they are coming to shore: a perfect photograph opportunity. It is a wonderful place to unwind and appreciate what one has in life. There is nothing more beautiful than natural beauty and the sunset on Bamburi Beach is a landscape to behold. This experience to connect with nature is priceless. Just take a look at the photograph in this section, it says it all!
Peak through the palm trees and see the moon and the stars
The beauty of Bamburi Beach does not end when the sun sets and in fact, another glorious part of it shimmers and that’s the night sky. The glowing moon and twinkling stars can be appreciated within seconds when you glance at the pitch black sky. Whilst you are advised not to walk on the beach after the sunset due to safety concerns, I would recommend that you enjoy the illuminous night sky from an organisation on the coast, such as Cocoa’s Beach Bar at Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa, which offers some comfortable and authentic furnishing, great entertainment, drinks and of course, a chance to peak through the palm trees and see the night sky. You can access Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa and other coastal organisations, from their road-side entrance as opposed to the beach entrance. This is important because you are advised against walking on the beach after sunset.
Collect seashells, walk barefoot and enjoy the fresh air
Bamburi Beach is an old, yet clean and unpretentious beach that is ready for you to visit anytime of day. You can spend an hour, a morning, an afternoon or an evening enjoying this stunning destination. You can see that it is the perfect setting at sunrise and sunset and that there are ample activities to do whilst on the beach. I believe that there is something to be said about leaving everything behind and being truly present in your surroundings and I have to say that Bamburi Beach is the place where you can definitely do this without any difficulties. It’s a place where you can rest, relax and reflect. Collect seashells, walk barefoot and take in the fresh air. Life is full of so much busyness; it’s important to stop for a moment and enjoy the beauty that is on earth: so how about you start off with enjoying Bamburi Beach? This is the place you belong.
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