Kenya is fortunate to have an abundance of protected coral reefs and beaches (250 mi/420 km worth). Malindi, on what's called the Coral Coast, provides a very nice introduction to the area.
You can enjoy surfing, snorkeling, deep-sea fishing and other watersports there. The Malindi Marine National Park has fine beaches, clear water and very colorful fish. It is also one of the few places on the coast where the waves crash into the shore through a gap in the coral reef, and you can surf there. The town itself has handsome post-colonial homes, trees and flowers. We enjoyed walking its narrow streets. It merits at least a one-day visit. Many of the colonial-style hotels run by Italian families are good values.
75 mi/120 km north of Mombasa.