Mombasa is a coastal city in Kenya, located on the country’s eastern shore along the Indian Ocean. It is the country’s second-largest city after the capital of Nairobi, and is an important port city as well as a popular tourist destination.
The city is situated on a natural harbour, and is the centre of a metropolitan area that includes the nearby towns of Mtwapa, Changamwe, and Nyali. It is bordered to the north by Kilifi County and to the south by Kwale County.
The city is home to a variety of cultures, including the Swahili people, Arabs, and Asians. This mix of cultures is visible in the city’s architecture, which is a blend of traditional Swahili and Islamic styles.
Mombasa has a long and storied history, having been an important trading port since the 12th century. It was an important centre of the East African slave trade, and was later colonized by the Portuguese in the 16th century. The city was then taken by the Sultan of Oman, who ruled it until the 19th century.
In 1895, Mombasa became part of the British East Africa Protectorate, and was the capital of the British Kenya Colony from 1920 to 1963. During this period, the city was a major port and railway hub, and was the site of the historic Mombasa Conference in 1960, which was attended by Kenyan leaders and representatives from the United Kingdom.
In 1963, Mombasa became part of the newly independent nation of Kenya. Today, the city is a major industrial and commercial centre, and is the gateway to the country’s tourism industry. It is also home to a vibrant art and music scene, and is a popular destination for beachgoers and water sports enthusiasts.
Experience Mombasa with unforgettable activities by our partner GetYourGuide. The offer is also ideal as a special gift idea for family and friends who are planning to visit Mombasa. Cancellations are possible up to 24h before the start of the activity (unless otherwise stated in the activity description), with a full refund of the booking price.
Mombasa, Kenya has a tropical climate with hot and humid weather year-round. During the rainy season from April to June, the temperature is hot and humid with heavy rainfall, while the dry season from July to October is hot and dry. The short rainy season from November to December brings light showers and a cooler climate, while the hot season from January to March brings hot and humid weather with occasional showers. Overall, Mombasa has hot and humid weather year-round with two rainy seasons and two dry seasons.
Our weather forecast for Mombasa helps plan your stay according to the weather. For sunny days, pack light and breathable clothes, swimwear, and sunscreen. For winter weather, it's recommended to bring warm clothes, gloves, a hat, sturdy footwear, and a raincoat.
Date | Icon | Temperature | Wind speed/gusts | Cloudiness/Visibility | Air humidity/pressure | Sunrise/Sunset |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nov. 18th 2024 Nov. 18th 2024 | max: 29.3 °C min: 24.8 °C |
22.0 m/s 20.9 m/s |
61.0 % 24.1 m |
78.0 % 1,010 hPa |
05:57:23 18:15:52 |
|
Nov. 19th 2024 Nov. 19th 2024 | max: 29.6 °C min: 25.1 °C |
19.4 m/s 19.4 m/s |
66.6 % 23.3 m |
78.6 % 1,010 hPa |
05:57:32 18:16:10 |
|
Nov. 20th 2024 Nov. 20th 2024 | max: 29.2 °C min: 25.6 °C |
19.1 m/s 23.0 m/s |
45.6 % 22.7 m |
78.6 % 1,010 hPa |
05:57:41 18:16:29 |
|
Nov. 21st 2024 Nov. 21st 2024 | max: 28.7 °C min: 25.9 °C |
17.6 m/s 19.4 m/s |
41.8 % 22.1 m |
78.8 % 1,010 hPa |
05:57:52 18:16:49 |
|
Nov. 22nd 2024 Nov. 22nd 2024 | max: 29.0 °C min: 26.1 °C |
16.6 m/s 22.0 m/s |
56.6 % 24.1 m |
78.0 % 1,009 hPa |
05:58:04 18:17:09 |
|
Nov. 23rd 2024 Nov. 23rd 2024 | max: 28.4 °C min: 25.5 °C |
17.6 m/s 18.7 m/s |
77.8 % 21.3 m |
81.5 % 1,009 hPa |
05:58:16 18:17:30 |
|
Nov. 24th 2024 Nov. 24th 2024 | max: 28.5 °C min: 26.7 °C |
14.0 m/s 19.1 m/s |
92.8 % 23.9 m |
80.3 % 1,011 hPa |
05:58:29 18:17:52 |
|
Nov. 25th 2024 Nov. 25th 2024 | max: 28.5 °C min: 26.4 °C |
14.8 m/s 14.4 m/s |
80.5 % 23.6 m |
78.3 % 1,011 hPa |
05:58:44 18:18:14 |
|
Nov. 26th 2024 Nov. 26th 2024 | max: 28.7 °C min: 25.4 °C |
19.4 m/s 18.4 m/s |
37.1 % 24.1 m |
79.1 % 1,010 hPa |
05:58:59 18:18:37 |
|
Nov. 27th 2024 Nov. 27th 2024 | max: 28.7 °C min: 25.3 °C |
20.2 m/s 18.4 m/s |
30.8 % 24.1 m |
78.0 % 1,010 hPa |
05:59:15 18:19:01 |
|
Nov. 28th 2024 Nov. 28th 2024 | max: 28.8 °C min: 25.5 °C |
19.8 m/s 19.8 m/s |
43.6 % 24.1 m |
80.5 % 1,010 hPa |
05:59:32 18:19:25 |
|
Nov. 29th 2024 Nov. 29th 2024 | max: 29.0 °C min: 26.5 °C |
18.7 m/s 20.2 m/s |
37.1 % 24.1 m |
77.9 % 1,010 hPa |
05:59:49 18:19:50 |
|
Nov. 30th 2024 Nov. 30th 2024 | max: 29.2 °C min: 25.1 °C |
15.8 m/s 18.4 m/s |
99.5 % 23.2 m |
79.0 % 1,010 hPa |
06:00:08 18:20:15 |
|
Dec. 1st 2024 Dec. 1st 2024 | max: 27.0 °C min: 24.4 °C |
13.0 m/s 18.0 m/s |
99.7 % 20.1 m |
84.9 % 1,010 hPa |
06:00:27 18:20:41 |
Would you like to travel to Mombasa on a cruise ship or would you just like to know when a certain ship will dock there? Here you will find an overview of the cruise ships that will be calling at the port of Mombasa.
Date | Ship | Arrival | Departure | Details |
---|---|---|---|---|
Feb. 17th 2025 Monday, 17th of Feb. 2025 | MS Europa | 08:15 am | 08:00 pm | |
Feb. 21st 2025 Friday, 21st of Feb. 2025 | Emerald Azzurra | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
Feb. 23rd 2025 Sunday, 23rd of Feb. 2025 | Norwegian Dawn | 07:00 am | 07:00 pm | |
Oct. 29th 2025 Wednesday, 29th of Oct. 2025 | MS Amera | 01:00 pm | 12:00 am | |
Oct. 30th 2025 Thursday, 30th of Oct. 2025 | MS Amera | 12:00 am | 08:00 pm | |
Dec. 11th 2025 Thursday, 11th of Dec. 2025 | Norwegian Dawn | 05:30 am | 08:00 pm | |
Dec. 31st 2025 Wednesday, 31st of Dec. 2025 | Norwegian Dawn | 03:30 am | 08:00 pm | |
Jan. 13th 2026 Tuesday, 13th of Jan. 2026 | MS Europa | 12:00 am | 12:00 am | |
Jan. 27th 2026 Tuesday, 27th of Jan. 2026 | Emerald Azzurra | 12:00 am | 12:00 am |
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