Calm water
Behind the reef.
Nicor — CC BY 3.0 · Erick Moiro — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Lebu Ayiga — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Lebu Ayiga — CC BY 4.0
Kenya's most famous beach, a strip of soft white sand running about seventeen kilometres south of Mombasa, sheltered by a coral reef that keeps its turquoise water calm and swimmable, and lined with coconut palms and coastal forest. Diani's forests are home to Angolan colobus monkeys with their black-and-white coats, and rope bridges have been built for them over the coast road so they can cross safely; a local conservation centre explains the work to protect them. The beach is a favourite for kitesurfing and diving, and day trips leave from here for the Kisite-Mpunguti marine reserve and Wasini Island to watch dolphins, snorkel over the reefs and eat seafood. The beach is public and free, lined with hotels and restaurants. From Mombasa you reach it by the Likoni ferry and then the road in about an hour, or by light aircraft to Ukunda airstrip. It is best to avoid the long rains, roughly April to June.
Behind the reef.
Over the road.
Dolphins and snorkelling.
South coast, about 30 km south of Mombasa
December to March and July to October, avoiding the long rains, roughly April to June.