Diani Beach is a beach resort on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya and known for its coral reefs, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and the closely located Shimba Hills National Reserve, a wildlife reserve which looks out over the Indian Ocean.
Located 30km south of Mombasa Island, Diani Beach has been voted Africa's number 1 beach each year since 2014.
Influenced by local Arab and Swahili cultures and Western flavours from tourism, the culinary scene in Diani is surely to please even the most discriminating of palettes!
The beach is about 10 kilometres (6 mi) long, from the Kongo river to the north and Galu beach to the south (the southern point of reference is an old Baobab tree). It is adjacent to the town of Ukunda, the population of which nears 100,000 inhabitants. A small airstrip is located between the beach area and the Mombasa-Lunga Lunga road. The water remains shallow near shore, with some underwater sandbars near the surface which allow wading with a clear view of the sandy bottom. Inland from the beach, there is extensive vegetation (see photo at right), including numerous palm trees which cover the coastal areas, unlike the dry acacia trees of the mountainous Kenyan Highlands. The Mwachema River flows into the sea at Diani Beach.
Fine Dining
Diani and its surrounding areas boast some of the best cuisine in the area from seafood, Japanese, Kenyan, Indian and other international cuisine. Night live at Diani Beach is a place to relax with many hotels offer live music in the evening.
Shopping
The main shopping area with boutiques and souvenirs is located along the 25 km long main road with more than a hundred local shops, 3 large shopping centers, many supermarkets and groceries. If you visit a Maasai village you may also buy unique souvenirs made of beads. The most popular souvenirs in Diani beach are paintings, wood crafts, fabrics, kikoy, kanga, statues made of soap stone, hand-made jewellery, traditional African, Arab and Indian clothes and many others.
Nature & Wildlife
A Diani Beach holiday can easily be coupled with wildlife safaris within National Parks and Sanctuaries along the Nairobi – Mombasa road such as: Amboseli, Chyulu Hills, Tsavo East / Tsavo West and the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary.
Shimba Hills National Reserve is merely minutes away from your doorstep!
World Famous Beach
Diani is the most popular and beautiful beach in Kenya. The beach provides a tranquil haven where you can relax and enjoy the warmth of the sun. Diani is renowned for its coral-reefs, underwater sandbars, and widespread palm vegetation. The beach is a delightful location for swimming as well as surfing. If you want to have a calm chilled swim, walk along the beach, have a picnic with friends and family or engage in water sports, Diani beach is the best beach for all of these.
Activities
Diani Beach, located on Kenya’s famous South Coast is easily accessible by road and commercial flights from Nairobi to Mombasa or direct flights to Ukunda (Diani). The South Coast is also home to numerous excursions and sporting activities and is close to marine parks, wildlife sanctuaries and game parks.
Water Sports: scuba diving, snorkeling, big game fishing, kite surfing, wind surfing, jet skiing and sailing. Other sporting activities include: golf (18 hole par 72 course), sky diving, motor biking, quad biking or bicycle rental.
Marine excursions: traditional dhow or glass bottom boat trips to the coral reef, big game fishing from Shimoni in the Pemba Channel, whale shark tagging, dolphin and sea turtle watching around Wasini Island within the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Reserve. Other excursions include visits to Chale Island, Funzi Island and Msambweni.
Wildlife excursions: Shimba Hills National Reserve, the Sable Valley Sanctuary and the Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary.
The South Coast is also home to the Wakuluzu Colobus Trust for the protection of the endangered Colobus monkey and offers a forest nature trail on its grounds.
A Diani Beach holiday can also easily be coupled with wildlife safaris within National Parks and Sanctuaries along the Nairobi – Mombasa road such as: Amboseli, Chyulu Hills, Tsavo East / Tsavo West and the Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
Diani Pearl is located just a 5 minute drive from the Ukunda airport and flight safaris can be arranged to the world renowned Masai Mara game reserve
Visit Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park for spectacular view of marine life where you can swim with dolphins.
Dhow trips can be organized
Visit to Wasini and Funzi islands
Shimba Hills National Park for game viewing
