Weather in Mombasa in May

How May compares

May is the 8th warmest month of the year in Mombasa and ranks 39th of 134 destinations we compare for May - see where else is hot in May. Against London's average high of 16.6°C in May, Mombasa is 11.2°C warmer by day and 15.7°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in May

The typical May day in Mombasa peaks at 27.8°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 29.2°C or more. About 98% of days top 25°C and 1 in 24 pass 30°C. Nights average 24.0°C; one night in ten drops to 23.0°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest May day here reached 31.6°C (2003-05-04) and the coldest night 21.7°C (2019-05-24).

Rain in May

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 21 days with 1 mm or more, 176 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest May was 2019 with 533 mm, the driest 2004 with 22 mm. Humidity averages 83%.

Sea temperature in May

The sea averages 27.9°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 27.4°C to 28.3°C. For the warmest sea here, come in April (28.8°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 4.4 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 11.8 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:20 and sets about 18:16 local time in mid-May. Average cloud cover is 63%.

Is May 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.

Warm sea, sticky evenings

The sea averages 27.9°C, so water temperature is comfortably warm for swimming, though you still need to judge conditions before going in. On land, humidity of 83% means the warmth can feel sticky rather than simply pleasant. Loose, breathable clothes are a better choice than heavy fabrics, and accommodation with effective cooling is a sensible priority. Evenings offer limited relief, with average lows of 24°C, so do not expect the cool finish to the day you might get at home. Keep strenuous activity away from midday where possible, and leave room for shaded breaks rather than planning to be on the go throughout the day.

Keep outdoor plans flexible

May is wet enough that rain should shape your plans, not be treated as an unlikely interruption. About 21 rainy days means a holiday built entirely around dry beach time is a gamble. That does not establish how long rain will last on any given day, so avoid assuming either brief showers or continuous downpours. Sunshine averages about 4.4 hours within 11.8 hours of daylight: there is scope for sunny spells, but not a dependable clear-sky holiday. Pack a light waterproof and clothes that dry readily, and keep outdoor plans movable. May is better suited to travellers content with warmth and downtime than those needing consistently sunny weather.