EXPERIENCE DIANI BEACH

Overview

The beautiful coastal resort town of Diani Beach in Keyna is located 19 miles south of Mombasa boasting a small-town beach vibe for a relaxing holiday. This stunning strip of famous white sand beaches stretches for 6 miles alongside sparkling blue ocean waters and is known for kite-surfing and other watersports. Diani is a coastal haven and the second largest city in Kenya, it offers visitors a tranquil space and picturesque escape popular with honeymooners, backpackers, water sports enthusiasts, and families. The area is known for its unspoiled beauty attracting nature enthusiasts in the abundant surrounding verdant forests that echo with the cries of wildlife.

Diani Beach is one of the best-known beach destinations in Africa, a stunning holiday resort area filled with luxurious hotels and resorts, high-class restaurants, bustling nightclubs, quaint cafes, and charming shops. The stunning shoreline is dotted with swaying palm trees, and many of the dining, shopping, and entertainment options are found along Diani Beach Road. The spectacular crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean are the ideal setting for everything water-related; swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving Diani is home to several diving centers. The waters here are filled with vibrant coral reefs and a myriad of marine life. Beyond the beach, there is another wide range of activities and attractions such as the Shimba Hills National Reserve, which is home to elephants, giraffes, zebras, and a variety of bird species.

Diani Beach is a gorgeous setting and a truly idyllic destination to visit, it stretches along Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast like a ribbon of brilliant white against the backdrop of thick forests. It runs a distance of around 11 miles from the Kongo River to the north and Galu Beach, it sits adjacent to the town of Ukunda. It is a sliver of paradise marking the border where the African continent meets the vast Indian Ocean. Diani’s economy is anchored on the hospitality industry, making it a leading tourist destination, it is perfect for families, couples, and solo travelers.

Things to see and do

Visit the Kaya Kinondo Sacred Forest, a nature lover’s hidden gem in Diani that is easily accessible and offered on half-day nature walk tours. The forest is full of rich history and a place for memorable cultural experiences. The ancient forests give visitors a spiritual life, filled with trees that are used to make different medicines. The forest is aUNESCO World Heritage Site and holds the remains of fortified villages built by the Nijikenda people during the 16th century.

Colobus Conservation Center is located along Diani Beach Road and is one of the organizations here to preserve the lives of primates such as the Angolan Colobus monkey. The center leads the way in conservation through deforestation, education programs, and animal welfare. Diani is home to several primate species such as baboons, vervet monkeys, and skye’s monkeys, most of these primates are endangered and require protection.

Bora Bora Wildlife Park is a great attraction for nature and wildlife lovers, the park is filled with nature walks and plenty of wildlife. It is in the same ecosystem as the Kaya Kinindo Forest, which is a sacred abode of the Nijikenda community. You can learn about the various types of trees in the first and the use of medicinal plants. Spot wildlife like giraffes, zebras, sykes monkeys, crocodiles, and various bird species.

Spend the day at Chale Island situated at the heart of Msambweni Bay, just south of Diani Beach. The island is considered to be more of a holy place and has been used by the native coastal people as a place of worship for years. There are plenty of fun-filled activities to enjoy including water sports such as diving, snorkeling, kayaking, sailing, and other exciting boat excursions. Or simply relax on the spectacular white beaches fringed palm trees and the beautiful blue waters decorated by vibrant coral reefs.

The waters off the coast of Diani are one of the few places in the world where reef sharks can be frequently seen as well as being home to endangered Green and Hawksbill turtles. Scuba diving is one of the most popular water sports activities in the area. Diving in Diani can be enjoyed all year round due to its favorable climate and warm waters. There are diving opportunities for beginners to experts, there are several dive sites that are home to groups of rare fish species and attractive colorful corals. Some of these sites include natural reefs such as the Galu Reef and purpose-sunk ships like the Waa Wreck.

Sky Diving is also very popular in Diani Beach, the area boasts some of the finest scenery in the world, and skydiving onto the beach has become a large attraction amongst visitors who are looking to absorb the spectacular landscapes and views from a bird's eye view from 12,000 feet above sea level.

The Kongo River winds its way through mangroves and drains into the stunning Indian Ocean, separating Diani Beach and Tiwi Beach. This magical river is a dream for nature lovers, bird watches and sunset chasers, it has a wide upstream but becomes shallow towards the ocean, allowing visitors access to the two beaches. Join a guided tour for your Kongo River experience, it starts with a visit to the historic Kong Mosque, then a canoe ride to various bird spotting areas and learn about the area, and top it off by watching a breathtaking sunset.

Funzi Island is a fishing village in Kawle county, the village is surrounded by mangroves and features a beautiful beach along its shoreline. Experience the island by joining a tour that includes cruising between the mangroves, experiencing the beach, a ride along the Ramisi River where you can spot crocodiles, and a village tour.

Shopping

There are some great shopping opportunities in Diani Beach including the Diani Shopping Center set in the heart of Diani Beach, a one-stop shopping destination located near Beach Road. There is a collection of shops here selling everything from bags to clothes, jewelry, and art, there are several small restaurants and coffee shops here as well. The Bahraini Shopping Center is a great place to shop, a modern shopping space boasting restaurants, tapas bars, grocery stores, souvenir shops, clothing stores, and many more. There will be people along the beaches selling souvenirs and trinkets, be ready to bargain and shop for Maasi crafts such as intricate beadwork at the Maasai village. The most popular souvenirs in Diani Beach are paintings, wood crafts, fabrics, kikoy, kanga, statues made of soapstone, handmade jewelry, and traditional African, Arab, and Indian clothes.

Dining

There are a number of places to choose from when it comes to dining in Diani Beach, there is so much choice and selection of restaurants. Some of the best dining opportunities can be found along Diani’s seafront serving some of the best food in town, there is a lot of delicious seafood to enjoy in Diani as well as traditional authentic Swahili dishes. Many of Diani’s restaurants offer relaxing atmospheres many with views of the beach and sparkling Indian Ocean with prime viewing for sunsets, and many offering live music and entertainment. There is basically everything from Japanese cuisine, to Chinese, Indian, Italian, and African, steakhouses, seafood restaurants, street food, cafes, and Swahili restaurants to choose from.

Some of the best Swahili dishes to try when in Diani Beach such as Biriani which is considered one of the finest delicacies in the Swahili cuisine. Biriani is a delicious rice and meat dish. Coconut curry served with fish or chicken. Katlesi is another fine delicacy made with mashed potatoes and eggs stuffed with minced meat.

Nightlife

The nightlife in Diani Beach is vibrant and laid back compared to Mombasa or Mtwapa, it's more of a place to relax and enjoy some unique places to enjoy the evening. There are various beach bars, nightclubs, and more to explore in Diani, as well as many hotels, and resorts that offer live entertainment and music. Many of the destinations for nightlife can be found along Diani Beach Road, there is definitely no shortage of places for nightlife. The weekends usually bring out the beach parties along Diani Beach with bars, restaurants, cafes, and more offering evening opportunities.