Mombasa Day Trips Tamarind Dhow Dinner Cruise Tour

The Tamarind Dhow Dinner Cruise is a premier evening experience in Mombasa, Kenya, offering a four-course gourmet seafood dinner aboard traditional Arab sailing vessels. Spend the late afternoon and evening aboard a traditional Arab sailing ship known as a dhow.

Enjoy fresh local seafood whilst sailing the Indian Ocean. Tamarind Dhow is an authentic ocean-going Jahazi (Traditional Arab Sailing Boat), formerly used for cargo trading along the Kenyan Coast and to the Arab States.

1830 Hours: The Tamarind Dhow Dinner Cruise commences with a welcome “Dawa” cocktail as the Dhow sails smoothly towards Fort Jesus. The twinkling lights of Mombasa and the starlit skies provide idyllic surroundings for a delicious seafood dinner, meticulously prepared in the Swahili style, served on the deck in front of the guests.

The resident band on board offers a wide selection of dance music, from the latest hits to the golden oldies, as the Dhow gently glides back to the Tamarind Jetty by 10.30 pm.  Your evening begins once you are picked up from your hotel and driven to the pier.

As soon as you step off the gangplank, you are met by a traditionally dressed waiter who shows you to your table and serves you a house cocktail made with vodka, lime, honey, sugar, and crushed ice. Non-alcoholic drinkers are offered soft drinks or fruit juices.

Once the dhow departs from the jetty, the live band begins playing beautiful rhythms, and soon the swing has most guests dancing on the main deck.  After a cruise around Tudor Creek with a fine view of Mombasa’s Old Town and Fort Jesus, your dhow moors in a sheltered bay at the head of the creek.

Here, the fine aroma of grilled lobster and steak starts to fill the air as the chefs pull out the charcoal grills and prepare a 4-course gourmet meal. As your meal draws to a close, the waiters serve aromatic Arabica coffee from a traditional Arab brass pot – the Kahawa Pot.

2230 Hours: The evening dhow trip is an excellent romantic spot for newlyweds and those planning to propose.

Experience Highlights

• The Vessels: The experience takes place on the Nawalilkher or Babulkher, authentic wooden dhows refurbished as floating restaurants.
• The Route: The dhow sails from the Tamarind Jetty through Tudor Creek, offering views of Mombasa’s Old Port, the illuminated skyline, and Fort Jesus
• Atmosphere: Guests are greeted with a signature “Dawa” cocktail (vodka, lime, honey, and sugar). The evening features live music from a resident band or DJ, often leading to dancing on the deck

Dinner Menu & Cuisine

Dinner Menu & Offerings

Note: Schedule: The cruise typically departs at 1830 Hours and returns by 2230 Hours. It operates daily except Sundays (Sundays are usually reserved for private charters)
Dress Code: Smart casual.

Mombasa Day Trips Tamarind Dhow Dinner Cruise Tour; Spend the late afternoon and evening aboard a traditional Arab sailing ship known as a dhow.

Enjoy fresh local seafood whilst sailing the Indian Ocean. Tamarind Dhow is an authentic ocean-going Jahazi (Traditional Arab Sailing Boat), formerly used for cargo trading along the Kenyan Coast and to the Arab States.

Tamarind Dhow has been completely refurbished as a floating Restaurant, without losing any of the traditional aspects of the original Dhow. Tamarind Dhow is now moored at the Mombasa Tamarind jetty.

This leisurely dinner cruise is a lovely way to spend the evening, and the price includes hotel transport. Tamarind Dhow Mombasa Dinner Cruise: The Tamarind Dhow Dinner Cruise commencing at 6.30 pm, begins with a welcome “Dawa” cocktail as the Dhow sails smoothly towards Fort Jesus.

The twinkling lights of Mombasa and the starlit skies provide idyllic surroundings for a delicious seafood dinner, meticulously prepared in the Swahili style, served on the deck in front of the guests.

The resident band on board offers a wide selection of dance music, from the latest hits to the golden oldies, as the Dhow gently glides back to the Tamarind Jetty by 10.30 pm.

Your evening begins once you are picked up from your hotel and driven to the pier. As soon as you step off the gangplank, you are met by a traditionally dressed waiter who shows you to your table and serves you a house cocktail made with vodka, lime, honey, sugar, and crushed ice.

Non-alcoholic drinkers are offered soft drinks or fruit juices. Once the show departs from the jetty, the live band begins playing beautiful rhythms, and soon the swing has most guests dancing on the main deck.

After a cruise around Tudor Creek with a fine view of Mombasa’s Old Town and Fort Jesus, your dhow moors in a sheltered bay at the head of the creek. Here, the fine aroma of grilled lobster and steak starts to fill the air as the chefs pull out the charcoal grills and prepare a 4-course gourmet meal.

As your meal draws to a close, the waiters serve aromatic Arabica coffee from a traditional Arab brass pot – the Kahawa Pot. The evening dhow trip is an excellent romantic spot for newlyweds and those planning to propose.

Welcome cocktail “Dawa”

Vodka, lime, honey, sugar, and ice cubes

Fresh seafood hor’s d’oeuvres

Chilled assortment of prawns, crab, and calamari, mixed in a pink cocktail sauce – served on a bed of lettuce

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Soup

Fresh cream of tomato soup – Freshly blended tomatoes, herbs, vegetable stock, and fresh jersey cream

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Main Dishes

Grilled prime fillet steak – Tender fillet steak grilled over charcoal, topped with herbal butter. Served with a baked potato and a Tamarind salad
or
Seafood Swahili Fresh seafood, sautéed in garlic, turmeric, saffron, and tomatoes all cooked in a coconut sauce. Served with rice and a Tamarind salad
or
Grilled half lobster Charcoal-grilled lobster, topped with a butter sauce Served with rice and a Tamarind salad
or
Grilled king prawns Charcoal grilled prawns topped with a garlic butter sauce. Served with rice and a Tamarind salad

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Tropical Fruit Salad

The best of tropical fruits in the season and topped with fresh cream

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Kenya Coffee

Freshly made Kenyan coffee served with halwa

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Mombasa Day Trips Tamarind Dhow Dinner Cruise Tour Rates Include:

✓ Live Entertainment: A resident live band or DJ provides a mix of Swahili, jazz, and classic hits for dancing
✓ Transfers: Pick-up and drop-off from North Coast or South Coast hotels, though prices vary by distance
✓ The Cruise: A roughly four-hour scenic sail past the twinkling lights of Old Town Mombasa and the historic Fort Jesus
✓ Welcome Drink: Guests are usually served a signature “Dawa” cocktail (vodka, lime, honey) or a non-alcoholic alternative upon boarding
✓ Four-Course Dinner: A gourmet menu typically featuring freshly caught seafood (such as grilled lobster, prawns, and fish) or prime Kenyan fillet steak, followed by dessert, Kenyan coffee, and halwa

Notes

* Child prices are valid for children ages 11 and below
* Tamarind Dhow Mombasa Dinner Cruise Tour includes Pick-up and drop-off
* Tamarind Dhow Mombasa Dinner Cruise Tour Duration takes approximately 4 Hours
* Availability: The cruise operates daily except Sundays (Sundays require a private charter)
* Pick-up from hotels in the North Coast Hotels is included. Extra charge for pick up from South Coast Hotels
* Departure: Cruises typically depart from the Tamarind Jetty around 1830 Hours and return at approximately 2230 Hours

Mombasa Day Trips Tamarind Dhow Dinner Cruise Tour Rates Do Not Include:

* Drinks
* Tips or gratuity
* Travelers Insurance
* Communication charges
* Visas, international airfares, and airport taxes
* Sightseeing not included in the package; optional activities
* Personal expenses such as transfers to/ from the airport (supplement airport transfer cost applies for tours starting from the airport)

Mobile: +254-721-242-711
WhatsApp: +254-721-242-711
Reservations: +254 718-179-967
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://africanspicesafaris.com