Weather in Mombasa in March

How March compares

March is the 2nd warmest month of the year in Mombasa and ranks 7th of 134 destinations we compare for March - see where else is hot in March. Against London's average high of 10.5°C in March, Mombasa is 20.9°C warmer by day and 21.8°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in March

The typical March day in Mombasa peaks at 31.4°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 32.9°C or more. About 100% of days top 25°C and almost every pass 30°C. Nights average 25.1°C; one night in ten drops to 24.2°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest March day here reached 34.8°C (2016-03-18) and the coldest night 22.8°C (1991-03-22).

Rain in March

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 16 days with 1 mm or more, 64 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest March was 2020 with 167 mm, the driest 2012 with 14 mm. Humidity averages 76%, which makes the heat feel heavier than the thermometer suggests.

Sea temperature in March

The sea averages 28.6°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 27.9°C to 29.2°C. For the warmest sea here, come in April (28.8°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.1 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 12.0 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:26 and sets about 18:34 local time in mid-March. Average cloud cover is 57%.

Is March a good time to visit Mombasa?

It is a reasonable choice: hot days but expect showers. 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.

Heat that stays with you after dark

Pack for consistently hot weather, not just the occasional warm afternoon. Temperatures reach 30°C on 90% of days, while average overnight lows sit around 25°C, so evenings offer limited relief. Humidity of 76% adds to the sticky feel, making breathable clothing and air-conditioned accommodation sensible priorities. Keep strenuous activity away from midday where possible, and leave room for shaded breaks rather than filling every daylight hour. Coming from a London March, this is a substantial change in conditions. It suits travellers who enjoy heat and a slower pace; anyone who struggles to sleep in warm rooms should pay particular attention to their accommodation's cooling.

Warm swimming, with rain in the plan

The sea is a strong reason to choose March: it is comfortably warm for swimming, rather than something you need to brace yourself for. That warmth does not make this a reliably dry beach month, though. With about 16 rainy days, rain is a realistic part of the holiday, so keep swimming and other outdoor plans flexible. A rainy day does not necessarily mean a whole day indoors, but do not build your plans around rain being brief or arriving at a convenient time. Pack a light waterproof and keep an indoor option available. The balance favours travellers who value warm water more than dependable dry weather.