Destination guide
Mombasa weather by month
January and February are the best choices for a Mombasa holiday with less rain, while September offers a useful balance of warmth and sunshine. February is the hottest month, with daytime averages of 32°C; July is the coolest at 26°C. September is less hot than February, but still averages 15 rain days. There is no cool season here, so the main decision is how much heat and rain you are comfortable planning around.
- Hottest month
- 31.6°CFebruary
- Coolest month
- 26.3°CJuly
- Warmest sea
- 28.8°CApril
- Flight from London
- 9 h 48 minLong-haul (7 h+) · estimated
Mombasa, month by month
A little perspective
Mombasa through the year
Every month at a glance; "best" marks our three top months on warmth, dryness and sunshine.
| Month | Day | Night | Sea | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Januarybest | 30.9°C | 24.8°C | 27.4°C | 5.4 | 29 | 6 | 100% |
| Februarybest | 31.6°C | 24.7°C | 27.5°C | 5.4 | 20 | 5 | 100% |
| March | 31.4°C | 25.1°C | 28.6°C | 5.1 | 64 | 16 | 100% |
| April | 29.6°C | 24.7°C | 28.8°C | 4.1 | 129 | 23 | 100% |
| May | 27.8°C | 24.0°C | 27.9°C | 4.4 | 176 | 21 | 98% |
| June | 26.9°C | 23.2°C | 26.8°C | 5.1 | 69 | 17 | 98% |
| July | 26.3°C | 22.5°C | 25.7°C | 5.1 | 53 | 17 | 95% |
| August | 26.6°C | 22.3°C | 25.4°C | 5.7 | 45 | 16 | 99% |
| Septemberbest | 27.6°C | 22.7°C | 25.6°C | 6.5 | 45 | 15 | 100% |
| October | 28.5°C | 23.3°C | 26.4°C | 5.6 | 73 | 16 | 100% |
| November | 29.4°C | 23.8°C | 27.4°C | 5.2 | 85 | 20 | 100% |
| December | 30.4°C | 24.4°C | 27.7°C | 5.9 | 73 | 17 | 100% |
Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.
Day, night and sea
Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020
- Day
- Night
- Sea
Best months here
On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.
When to go to Mombasa
For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. May is the wettest month (176 mm, about 21 rainy days) and February the driest (20 mm). The sea is warmest in April at 28.8°C and coolest in August at 25.4°C.
Getting there
A direct flight from London Gatwick to Moi International Airport (MBA, 8 km from Mombasa) takes roughly 9 h 48 min - long-haul (7 h+) by UK standards. Time-zone: Africa/Nairobi.
Records and extremes, 1991-2020
The hottest day recorded in Mombasa between 1991 and 2020 reached 36.2°C on 27 February 2007; the coldest fell to 18.5°C on 24 September 1996. In February one day in ten tops 32.8°C and about 95% of days pass 30°C; in July one night in ten drops to 21.5°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was May 2019 with 533 mm, against a May average of 176 mm.
Sunrise, sunset and daylight in Mombasa
Local time on the 15th of each month; daylight-saving rules as of 2020.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight | Sunshine/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 06:20 | 18:40 | 12.3 h | 5.4 h |
| February | 06:28 | 18:43 | 12.2 h | 5.4 h |
| March | 06:26 | 18:34 | 12.1 h | 5.1 h |
| April | 06:21 | 18:22 | 12.0 h | 4.1 h |
| May | 06:20 | 18:16 | 11.9 h | 4.4 h |
| June | 06:25 | 18:18 | 11.9 h | 5.1 h |
| July | 06:30 | 18:25 | 11.9 h | 5.1 h |
| August | 06:26 | 18:25 | 12.0 h | 5.7 h |
| September | 06:14 | 18:19 | 12.1 h | 6.5 h |
| October | 06:01 | 18:13 | 12.2 h | 5.6 h |
| November | 05:57 | 18:15 | 12.3 h | 5.2 h |
| December | 06:06 | 18:27 | 12.4 h | 5.9 h |
January to March: heat, warm seas and a wetter turn
January and February suit travellers who want hot weather with the lowest likelihood of rain interrupting outdoor plans. January averages 31°C by day, while February reaches 32°C and has just 5 rain days. That makes February the clearest choice if drier weather matters more than avoiding heat. Pack light clothing, keep sun protection handy and leave room for a break from the midday warmth. Nights average 25°C throughout this period, so do not expect much cooling after sunset. March still feels hot and its sea reaches 29°C, but rain days rise to 16. Choose it for warm swimming conditions rather than the same dry-weather advantage as February.
April to July: frequent rain, then gentler temperatures
April and May are harder months to recommend for a holiday built around time outdoors. April averages 23 rain days, and May is the wettest month overall, so flexible plans and a light waterproof are sensible. Sunshine averages 4 hours daily in these months, although daytime temperatures remain warm. June brings a drop to 27°C, making the heat less demanding, but still averages 17 rain days. July is the coolest month, with days around 26°C and nights around 22°C. It suits travellers who dislike stronger heat, provided they accept regular rain rather than expecting a reliably dry break. The sea remains warm at 26°C in July.
August to December: a useful September window, then more rain
August offers gentler daytime warmth at 27°C and averages 6 hours of sunshine, though rain remains a consideration. September is a stronger all-round choice: days reach 28°C, sunshine stays at 6 hours and rain days ease to 15. It suits travellers looking for warm outdoor weather without February's stronger heat, rather than those seeking the driest conditions. October has similar temperatures and sunshine, with slightly more rain days. November turns wetter, averaging 20 rain days, so allow more flexibility for outdoor plans. December warms to 30°C by day, with a sea temperature of 28°C. It is appealing for warm-water swimming, but its 17 rain days mean waterproofs still deserve space in your bag.
A little more detail
Mombasa weather FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
What is the best time to visit Mombasa?
Judged on warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, the best months in Mombasa are February, January and September. February is the hottest month (average high 31.6°C) and July the coolest (26.3°C).
How many months a year is Mombasa over 25°C?
12 months in Mombasa average a daytime high of 25°C or more, and 12 average 20°C or more.
When is the rainy season in Mombasa?
May is the wettest month in Mombasa (176 mm on average) and February the driest (20 mm). Annual rainfall averages 861 mm.
What is the hottest temperature recorded in Mombasa?
The hottest day recorded in Mombasa between 1991 and 2020 reached 36.2°C on 27 February 2007; the coldest fell to 18.5°C on 24 September 1996. Records come from daily data for 1991-2020, not from a single station's all-time history.
When is the sea warmest in Mombasa?
The sea is warmest in March and April, averaging 29°C. These months suit travellers who prioritise very warm water, although rain is more frequent than in January and February. August has the coolest sea at 25°C, still warm enough for many swimmers.
Will I need warm clothes in the evenings?
Evenings stay warm throughout the year, with average night temperatures ranging from 22°C in July and August to 25°C from January to April. Light clothing should cover most outdoor evenings; a light layer is an option if you tend to feel cool.
Which month is best for avoiding rain?
February is the strongest choice, averaging 5 rain days alongside daytime temperatures of 32°C. January is close behind with 6 rain days and slightly less heat. Neither is guaranteed to stay dry, but both are better choices for rain-sensitive plans than the wetter months.
See also: Kenya weather by month · where else is hot in February
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid) and NOAA Coral Reef Watch 5 km sea temperatures, 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at Mombasa. Sea temperature from the nearest 5 km sea cell, 2.6 km from that point. Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C