Top Things to do in Diani Beach : Diani Beach is a popular beach on Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast (in eastern Africa). The stunning white sands and rich foliage of Diani, about an hour south of Mombasa, beckon you to rest under a beach umbrella with a refreshing drink. For a touristy experience, take a camel ride or organize a bike tour inland to see life in nearby towns. Diani is a truly fantastic spot to visit and one of Africa’s must-see destinations. Since 2015, it has been chosen as Africa’s top beach destination for the fifth time, and it has served as a base for a number of Kenya safari companies, including Focus East Africa Tours.
LOCATION AND ACCESSIBILITY
Diani Beach is located 30 kilometers south of Mombasa on the Kenyan coast, and it takes only one hour or half an hour to get there from Mombasa. The beautiful beach stretches between 10 and 17 kilometers, with shallow waves close to the shore. Diani has an airfield, so it can be reached by direct flights from Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport or Wilson Airport.
BY AIR TRANSPORT
There are numerous direct flights to Nairobi, Kenya from many European hubs, the United States, Arab countries, and the Asian continent. Nairobi Airways: Frankfurt (Lufthansa), New York (Kenya Airways), Zurich (Swiss), Amsterdam (KLM), London (British Airways, Kenya Airways), and Paris (British Airways, Kenya Airways) are among the most popular (Kenya Airways).
FLYING TO DIANI BEACH
Once you arrive in Kenya, you have several options for getting to Diani Beach. If you are flying from Nairobi or Mombasa, you have three options: fly from Wilson Airport in Nairobi via Safarilink and Silverstone, fly from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport via Jambo Jet, or fly from Moi International Airport in Mombasa via Mombasa Air Safari. Also Private charter planes shuttle passengers in and out of Diani to almost any area in Kenya.
DIANI BEACH BY ROAD TRANSPORTATION
For those who prefer self-driving, Diani is easily accessible from anywhere in Kenya. Driving down takes a full day, to save time you have to divert off the Mombasa Highway near Samburu and traveling via the Shimba Hills, you can bypass the Mombasa traffic bottlenecks and the Likoni ferry bottleneck.
But also if you feel comfortable interacting with people, you can also take a public bus from Nairobi to Diani Beach. At least two buses that leave Nairobi towards Ukunda (Diani), Chania, and Simba, for which you must pay a little fare of around 1400 shillings ($14).
DIANI BEACH BY WATER TRANSPORT
Private boats can be hired to take you to Diani from Mombasa. If you want to travel by water, you can also go to Diani Beach by ferry. You’ll need to use the Likoni ferry to get to Diani Beach if you’re coming from Mombasa. Throughout the day, the five-minute crossing takes place on a regular basis. The trip to Diani takes around thirty minutes after disembarking from the ferry on a relatively nice tarmac road.
Numerous matatus (minibuses) go directly from Mombasa’s Likoni ferry to Ukunda (KSh200, 30 minutes), the Diani junction, and then on to Msambweni.
GETTING AROUND DIANI BEACH
Tuk-tuks, motorcycles, and taxis abound in Diani. Aside from that, you can rent bikes and automobiles from the shopping center and drive them yourself around this astonishing beach
At Diani Beach, there are at least a hundred taxis that are conveniently accessible. Taking a cab in Diani is similar to taking one in other cities. Barclays Shopping Center, Bazaar, Petro, Diani Shopping Center, Ushago, and the area near Nomad Hotel are the easiest areas to find taxis. Taxis along Diani Beach are very clean and in good working order.
You can also take public transportation to travel to and from Diani Beach, the most popular of which is Kenya’s Matatus (minibus) culture, and the nicest and most wonderful thing about them is that they are an attraction in and of themselves. For short-distance travel, matatus provide quick and dependable transportation. Matatus have unpredictable travel times and are often available 24 hours a day, from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Matatus can be obtained or found along several Diani beach itineraries, such as;
- Leisure-Ukunda (these take you to the left side of Diani Beach)
- Pavillion-Ukunda (these take you to the right side of Diani Beach).
- From Likoni- (From the Likoni Ferry)
- Shimoni-Ukunda-Likoni
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT DIANI BEACH?
Diani Beach is open all year, although the best months to visit are the cooler months of July and September, as well as the very hot and dry season, which runs from January to early March.
DIANI BEACH CULTURE AND PEOPLE
The Digo Community is one of Kenya’s largest tribes, with an estimated population of 400,000. The Digo are centered on Kenya’s southern coastal strip, notably Diani and the Tanzanian border. Chidigo, a Bantu language related to Swahili and the other Mijikenda languages, is spoken by the Digo people. Over 90% of the Digo people are Muslims.
Despite the ethnic mix that Diani has, the indigenous inhabitants’ culture is still alive and well. Known for their warmth and welcoming attitude, the locals hold visitors in high regard because visitors are said to bring blessings.
The nightlife is as dynamic as the culture, and when the sun sets, Diani transforms into the life of the party. Her people respond to the occasion with unrestrained enthusiasm, making the most of each moment; this is how memories are made here, with varied nightclubs and wonderful music.
TOP THINGS TO DO/TOURIST ACTIVITIES AT DIANI BEACH
The nicest thing about Diani Beach is that it offers a wide range of exciting tourist activities, giving guests the freedom to choose what they want to do when visiting this lovely beach. When visiting Diani Beach, don’t miss out on the following top tourist activities:
- VISITING THE BEACH ITSELF
Diani has it all, from sky diving to sea diving, deep sea fishing to kite and wind surfing, in a way that few other African locations can match.
Apart from the beach, Diani’s ocean line stretches to Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park, which is home to an abundance of marine life, to the point where dolphins will join you for a swim, sensuously displaying their moves as if trying to entice you.’
- EXPLORE THE KONGO MOSQUE
Kongo Mosque, which takes its name from the surrounding forest, is a historic edifice with a long history that has now been turned into a tourist attraction. Kongo Mosque, once known as Diani Persian Mosque (a term established by the Arab merchants who colonized the area at the time), is now more than just a place of prayer.
- VISITING THE SLAVE CAVES OF SHIMONI
Shimoni is a Swahili term that means “cave location.” The Shimoni caverns have a rich history that dates back hundreds of years. The caverns’ age is obvious in the massive stalactites and stalagmites inside, which add to the eerie atmosphere. Shimoni’s past is intertwined with the cave.
- ECO BIKE RIDES
Get immersed in Diani Beach’s interiors and be amazed by its beauty. Diani eco bike trips are meant to provide you with a one-of-a-kind tour of Diani Beach and its surroundings. Cycling along the beach, through the villages, and even to the famed Kaya Kinondo forest is a great way to tour. Diani Bikes, who pride themselves on having the most current bikes, have organized this amazing tour.
- DIANI BEACH OFFERS SCUBA DIVING, SNORKELING, AND BOAT TRIPS
Boat cruises, snorkeling, and scuba diving are all options for exploring the richness and diversity of marine life at Diani Beach. These are not only some of the most enjoyable activities in Diani, but they also provide an opportunity for close marine interaction.
Consider a meeting with a whale shark. Do you want to swim in the same waters as a turtle colony? This event will make you jump out of your skin. But believe me when I say that with pros like diving for crabs, you have nothing to be concerned about.
- PLAYING GOLF
After all of your beach activities, it’s time to hit the links at the Leisure Lodge Golf Club’s gorgeous gardens. The lodge has a world-class golf course that is ranked among the best in East Africa.
The fairways are properly watered and wind among cashewnut, casuarina, and pine trees, making for a fascinating, yet challenging, place to play golf.
The course is 6084 meters long and features 85 bunkers as well as a large lake. The presence of many birds and monkeys will be enjoyed while on the course. It is an ideal location for a vacation with your entire family or a group of golfers.
- VISITING TO SHIMA HILLS
Will I be able to depart Kenya without seeing any of the well-known big five? I understand that this is one of your concerns, but fear not. Diani is home to East Africa’s second-largest coastal forest, the Shimba Hills. It’s only 45 minutes from Diani Beach to the National Reserve, and admission is free.
You’ll have a lovely view of local towns as you travel up the hills, and you’ll be able to take your mind off the nonstop water activities at Diani Beach. The following are some of the reserve’s most popular wildlife attractions:
- Elephants
- Sable Antelope
- Genet, Leopard
- Civet Cat
- Waterbuck, hyenas
- Buffalo, New York
- Bush Pig
- Bushbuck
- White, Columbus, and Coastal Black are the most common.
- Bush Duiker
- The vervet monkey is facing backwards.
- Serval Cat
- Sykes Monkey
- Red Shrew
- Red Duiker, and many others.
There are also over 111 different bird species. African Hawk, Ostrich Eagle, Quail, Sunbird, Crowned, Hornbill, Honey Guide, and Uluguru are among them. Pythons, lizards, cobras, and geckos are among the reptiles that live here.
- TRAVEL THROUGH THE KAYAMA KINONDO FOREST
Kaya Kinondo is one of Kenya’s oldest woods, with over 187 plant species, 48 bird species, 45 butterfly species (representing 5% of Kenya’s known butterfly species), the rare Zanj Elephant Shrew, and the endangered Colobus Monkey, among others. A visit to this forest will educate you about the forest’s cultural and spiritual significance to the Digo people.
ACCOMMODATION ON DIANI BEACH/WHERE TO STAY
Many visitors to Diani Beach stay the night since the site is beautiful and visitors enjoy it. Diani is one of those well-developed tourist attractions in terms of housing, so visitors have no trouble spending the night. Tourists can pick from a variety of luxurious and mid-range lodges to make themselves comfortable and enjoy their nights. The following are the top and greatest hotels in Diani Beach for travelers to enjoy their nights.
- BAOBAB BEACH RESORT AND SPA
- DIANI REEF BEACH RESORT AND SPA
- DIANI SEA RESORT
- THE SAND AT NOMAD
- DIANI BACKPACKERS
- SOUTHERN PALMS BEACH RESORT
- THE SANDS AT CHALE ISLAND
- WATERLOVERS BRACH RESORT
- THE MAJI BEACH BOUTIQUE HOTEL
- ASHA BOUTIQUE HOTEL
- LEOPARD BEACH RESORT AND SPA
- SWAHILI BEACH RESORT
- AMANI TIWI BEACH RESORT
