Diani, South Coast
Exploring your destinations
Diani and the South Coast
Where most safaris end
Diani is a long stretch of white sand south of Mombasa, with a reef offshore that keeps the water calmer and shallower inside it.
Most clients come here after a safari. The change of pace after several early starts is the point.
Plan My SafariThe Beach
Diani is wide, white and backed by palms and casuarina trees. The reef lies a few hundred metres offshore, and at low tide the water inside it can be shallow enough to walk a long way.
Tides matter here more than on open coast. At low tide, swimming is limited in some areas, and we will explain what to expect for your dates.
In the Water
Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park, reached by dhow from Shimoni, is the main snorkelling and diving area on this stretch. Dolphins are often seen on the way, though never guaranteed.
Wasini Island makes a full-day trip, usually combined with Kisite and lunch on the island.
Kitesurfing is good during windier months, roughly June to September and again in the early part of the year. Several schools operate in Diani.
Deep-sea fishing trips run from Shimoni and further north.
Inland
The Shimba Hills are about half an hour from the beach and hold sable antelope, found nowhere else in Kenya, as well as elephants. Sheldrick Falls is reached by a walk of around 45 minutes each way through forest.
Colobus monkeys are common around Diani, and local conservation work focuses on reducing road-crossing deaths.
Getting There
Flights go to Ukunda Airstrip at Diani, which is usually the simplest option.
By road and rail, the SGR train from Nairobi to Mombasa takes most of the morning, followed by a transfer south that includes the Likoni ferry crossing.
If you are coming from safari, routing through Tsavo avoids going back through Nairobi.
How Long to Stay
Four to seven nights. With fewer than four, you have barely stopped moving.
Safaris
Trips that include Diani and the South Coast
Plan a Diani Holiday
Tell us how you want to spend it
Send us your dates and tell us whether you want diving, watersports, excursions or simply a quiet hotel by the beach.