SeasonMapMalindi weather in January
Kenya
January in Malindi: hot, dry, with clean air — one of the best months to visit.
#2 of 12 months in Malindi · #74 of 1383 destinations to visit in January · comfort 92/100 (tier S)
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Traveller notes on Malindi in January
Notes from nearby Mombasa (106 km away)
Malindi doesn't have its own notes for January yet — these are about Mombasa, close enough to share the season.
Mombasa's forum calls January genuinely hot — even locals describe it as hot and humid — though a sea breeze takes the edge off. Regulars recommend high-SPF sunscreen and staying under a parasol or tree during peak midday sun, since the equatorial intensity here is stronger than many visitors expect coming from the Caribbean.
Add your own note from Malindi's card on the map.
Malindi climate normals — January
| Daytime high | 30°C / 85°F | 🥵 hot |
|---|---|---|
| Nighttime low | 26°C / 78°F | |
| Sea temperature | 28°C / 82°F | ♨️ bath-warm |
| Rainfall | 18 mm / 0.7 in | ☀️ dry |
| Rainy days | 5 days | |
| Humidity | 76% | 💦 very humid |
| Dew point | 23°C / 73°F | |
| Sunshine | 10.9 h/day | |
| Daylight | 12.3 h | |
| Wind | 20 km/h / 12 mph | |
| Air quality (US AQI) | 46 | 🍃 good |
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Malindi in January
How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.
BusyItalian winter season, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for Malindi's weather
Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).
Fair weatherMalindi's weather doesn't swing hard through the year — comfort stays fairly steady in every month.
What's on in Malindi in January
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Season
Italian winter season
1 Dec – 15 Apr · usuallyWinter-sun seasonCrowdedMalindi's high season is driven by Italian charter flights and long-staying visitors escaping Europe's cold, running from early December through Easter. Restaurants along the seafront still post their menus in Italian first. Source ↗
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of Malindi — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
Where is Malindi?
Malindi in January — FAQ
- Is January a good time to visit Malindi?
- January in Malindi: hot, dry, with clean air — one of the best months to visit. It ranks #2 of 12 months for Malindi on SeasonMap's comfort score (92/100).
- What is the weather like in Malindi in January?
- In January, Malindi averages a daily high of 29.7°C and a low of 25.6°C, with about 18 mm of rain over roughly 4.6 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Malindi in January?
- Malindi has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 46 in January.
Other months in Malindi
Compare Malindi in January
Warmer or cooler than Malindi in January
Similar destinations in East Africa — January
Within 300 km: Mombasa's Whale sharks off the coast around 1 Dec – 31 Mar, and Lamu's Kaskazi, the calm season around 1 Dec – 15 Mar.