Diani beach

Pole Pole - Take it easy

Kenya most famous beaches like Diani beach are lined with protective coral reefs creating ideal waters for swimming, sailing, watersports, and - for the more adventurous - diving and snorkelling. Kenya is full of surprises: just when you thought it was all about safaris and wildlife, you find out that it also has some of East Africa's greatest beaches and Indian Ocean island getaways. Picture brilliant blue water lapping against fine white sand.

Diani Beach is a major beach resort on the Indian Ocean. It is located 30 kilometres south of Mombasa, in the nearby Kwale County. The beach is about 20 kilometres  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, 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. The general area is known for its coral reefs, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and for the closely located Shimba Hills National Reserve, a wildlife reserve which looks out over the Indian Ocean. Diani Beach has high-class restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, and several shopping centres. Diani Beach is also a popular kitesurfing location.