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Mombasa, Kenya · Equatorial tropical

Mombasa in January: go or not?

Mixed period. Mombasa in January: 5.7/10.

📅 Updated August 2026 🛰️ ERA5 · 10 years 📍 4.04°S · 39.67°E
⚡ This month's verdict
Why not
Mombasa · January
5.7
25–30°
Temperature
29%
Rain
9h
Sun
🌴 Tropical☀️ High UV🌧️ Monsoon season
Photo : Prolific Ke via Unsplash
The month in detail

What to expect in January

Even in winter, Mombasa enjoys 30.0°F. A real asset for escaping the European cold. Expect rain on 29.0% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended. Not the best window, but acceptable if dates are constrained. September (7.6/10) is significantly better if possible.

January ranks 5 out of 12 months in Mombasa. Compared to December: 38 pts fewer rainy days.

This month's conditions

What it's like in January

UV index
8 · high
sunscreen and hat advised
Feels like
very humid
23°
Sea
29°C
warm, ideal
Daylight
12.2h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 26
Compare

Is January the right month?

The best month in Mombasa is September (7.6/10), 1.9 pt higher than January.

See September →See all 12 months →
Context

Our verdict

Mombasa, Kenya's 2nd city and main port in East Africa: 1.2 million inhabitants on the Indian Ocean. Historic island linked to the coast by 4 bridges/causeways, unique Swahili-Arab-Portuguese-British heritage (successive occupations since the 8th century).

Read Gilles' full review →

Book

Plan your trip

Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.

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Stay
Hotels & rentals · Mombasa
Expedia →
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Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
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Flights
Multi-airline comparator
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🎟️ Activities & tours · Mombasa

GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation

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Affiliate link · GetYourGuide
Practical info

What you need to know before you go

Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a tropical stay.

Country · Kenya

🗣️LanguageEnglish
💶CurrencyShilling kényan (KSh)
🚗DrivingLeft-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘSafe · 2/5
💰Cost of living ⓘVery cheap · 1/5

🌡️ Climate

🌍Climate typeEquatorial tropical
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthFebruary · 88°F
❄️Coolest monthJuly · 79°F
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘApril · 90%

🏝️ Tropical stay

🌞Dry season ⓘMay → Sep
🌧️Wet season ⓘDec → Mar
🌀Cyclones ⓘNone (equator)
Explore

Other destinations in January

If January doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.

Similar climate
Diani BeachKenyaLangkawiMalaysiaStone TownTanzaniaColomboSri LankaKrabiThailand
Nearby
LamuKenya240 kmZanzibarTanzania241 kmMoshiTanzania270 kmDar es SalaamTanzania309 km
Other top picks
BrisbaneAustralia5.3HarareZimbabwe4.6LilongweMalawi4.5JordanJordan4.4PetraJordan4.4
← DecemberFebruary →
🗺️ See all 754 destinations on the map
Location

Where is Mombasa ?

Global position + regional geographic context.

🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
Kenya
Equatorial tropical climate with a 7.6 → 4.6 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
4.04°S · 39.67°E
Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Mombasa?
June is the best month with 81°F highs, 75°F lows, 6.9h of sunshine and 68.0% rainy days. The months of June & August offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Mombasa get in June?
Mombasa averages 6.9 sunshine hours per day in June. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 7.1/10.
What is the rainiest month in Mombasa?
April is the most unfavourable month with April has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Mombasa in June?
In June, overnight lows reach 75°F, while afternoon highs average 81°F.
Is Mombasa good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Mombasa scores 5.2/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains June with a score of 7.1/10.
When should you avoid Mombasa?
April is the most difficult month to visit Mombasa, with April has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in Mombasa in January?
In January, the sea averages 85°F in Mombasa: warm, ideal. Ideal conditions for swimming and snorkeling.
Do you need sun protection in Mombasa in January?
The average UV index reaches 8 in January in Mombasa (high), with about 12.2h of daylight. Sunscreen and hat advised.