Weather in Mombasa in January

How January compares

January is the 3rd warmest month of the year in Mombasa and ranks 4th of 134 destinations we compare for January - see where else is hot in January. Against London's average high of 7.4°C in January, Mombasa is 23.5°C warmer by day and 22.6°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in January

The typical January day in Mombasa peaks at 30.9°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 32.2°C or more. About 100% of days top 25°C and almost every pass 30°C. Nights average 24.8°C; one night in ten drops to 23.8°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest January day here reached 34.0°C (1991-01-26) and the coldest night 22.4°C (1995-01-13).

Rain in January

Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 6 days with 1 mm or more, 29 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 1998 with 222 mm, the driest 2012 with 3 mm. Humidity averages 75%, which makes the heat feel heavier than the thermometer suggests.

Sea temperature in January

The sea averages 27.4°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 26.7°C to 28.0°C. For the warmest sea here, come in April (28.8°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.4 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 12.2 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:20 and sets about 18:40 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 56%.

Is January a good time to visit Mombasa?

Yes - it is one of the better months: hot days, manageable rain. The best months for Mombasa on our scoring are February, January, September; months averaging 25°C or more: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec.

Expect heat that lasts into the evening

Mombasa reaches 30°C on 83% of January days, so pack for reliably hot conditions rather than occasional warmth. Humidity averages 75%, which can make the heat feel more tiring, particularly if you are active around midday. Put longer walks in the morning or later afternoon and leave room for shade and breaks during the hottest part of the day. Loose, lightweight clothing is more useful than heavy layers, and warm nights make air conditioning worth prioritising when choosing accommodation. January ranks among Mombasa's warmest months: it suits travellers who enjoy heat, but is a less comfortable choice if you rely on cooler evenings to recover.

Some rain, and not constant sunshine

January has about 6 rainy days, so it is reasonable to plan plenty of outdoor time while keeping plans flexible. That does not mean every other day will be cloudless: average sunshine is about 5.4 hours within 12.2 hours of daylight. Expect useful daylight for relaxed days outside, rather than uninterrupted bright sun. A light rain layer is sensible, but packing mainly for wet weather would miss the bigger picture. The catch is variability: a January visit is not a guarantee of dry conditions throughout. Choose it for the combination of heat, swimmable water and some rain, not for a promise of clear skies.