Diani Beach Guide

travel kenya

Latest Diani Blogs

Diani Beach Resort Kenya, Travel Guide

Diani Beach resort Kenya is the sparkling jewel on Kenya’s mesmerising Indian Ocean coast. Two hours south of the hectic port city of Mombasa, Diani Beach slumbers in summered perfection.  The softest of white sand, waving palms, lazy seaside cafes.  You would be forgiven for spending your time here doing nothing but gazing as the cerulean sea and chasing coconuts but despite its sleepy feel it is one of the most popular spots on the Kenyan coast.  Diani has five star hotels, palatial villas, backpacker hostels, fine dining restaurants, laid back beach bars and a scattering of water sports centres. There is no end of things to do in Diani.
 
 
diani beach kenya

Weather in Diani beach

The weather in Diani beach is always warm and welcoming.  The best time to visit is during the cooler winter months of July & August, when the humidity drops, the wind picks up and you might just get to snuggle in a light sweater at night.   During the rest of the year Diani is hot, hot, hot and you want to make sure you have a beach front house or at least a pool and good A/C. The rains fall in April – June and October – November but it rarely rains the whole day.  

diani beach kenya weather

Things to do in Diani

Hit the ocean

Diani beach is sheltered from deep water by a reef that runs most the length of the Kenyan coast.   At low tide the reef at Diani can easily be seen and small coral islands appear.  Often an easy swim out, my kids love nothing more than spotting  crabs, star fish, sea urchins and collecting shells.  Hire a kayak or SUP and explore the ocean waves, or for an adrenaline rush try kitesurfing or wind surfing.  On the other side of the reef are all the paleagics and deep water adventures you could hope for. Take a boat out to dive or snorkel at the immense drop off on the other side of the reef. 
 

Sundowners on the beach 

The sun may set on the other side of the African continent but you still get Kenya’s famed sunsets at Diani Beach. Grab some beers and swim in the tropical waters as the sun goes down or head to Sands at Nomads and sip the local Dawa cocktail.  Diani beach is made for burying your feet in the sand and watching the dhows make their leisurely way across the bay.

Day Trip to Wasini Island

Wasini Island within the Kisite Marine Park is the your dream Indian Ocean islet. The hidden beach paradise that is genuinely little known. You don’t get much more remote that this.  This tiny island is famed for its amazing sea life, take a boat out from Shimoni pier and you may see dolphins and whales. Dive beneath the surface to experience a giddying array of tropical fish in one of the best diving reefs on the Kenyan coast.  

 

Shimba Hills National Park

Diani beach and safari may not go hand in hand but the magnificent Shimba Hills National Park is so close by an it would be a crime to miss it. The flora here is notably different to most other Kenyan safaris, it is one of the largest coastal forest in East Africa.  It is also home to one of the largest elephant populations in Kenya. Most of the usual suspects lurk in the tropical forests:  leopard, lion, zebra, giraffe and the very rare Sable antelope.

Hotels in Diani

Hotels in Diani range from large Diani beach resorts to Diani backpackers and everything in between.  A scattering of resorts and luxury boutique hotels are ranged across the whole 11km beach, most occupying prime beachfront spots.  Villas and cottages are cheaper the further away from the beach you go and prices come down accordingly.  You may spend less on a 2nd row or 3rd row house but it summer you will end up paying in sweat. Sometimes the extra cash is worth the sea breeze. In the summer pools and even the ocean get bathwater warm.

Choose from resorts which will have a couple of pools and a few restaurants. Villas which will often have A/C, pool and a full complement of staff, or cheaper cottages where you will just have a ceiling fan. Even the cheaper houses allow you to hire cooks and cleaners and often babysitters too.

Read the article on the best Diani Beach Hotels – a guide on where to stay

Travel to Diani

Nairobi to Diani

Diani, Kenya sits approximately 2 hours to the south of Mombasa and 3 hours from Watamu and Malindi. Kenya’s second largest city and closest international airport.   It is also fortunate in having it’s own small airport.  Ukunda Diani is just 10 minutes Diani central and most of the Diani hotels and villas.

If you are travelling from Mombasa then transport from Mombasa to Diani beach is best taken by taxi, cost should be approx 40 dollars one way.  Don’t be tempted by the far cheaper tuk-tuks,  you will waste hours of your life bumping in slow motion towards your destination. Be aware you will also need to cross the Likoni ferry (within the car) which can slow things up a bit.

Matatu’s also run between Mombasa and Diani,  its a crowded, hot and sticky affair but vastly cheaper.  There are also a couple of bus services, check Kenyabus more information.

Direct flights to Ukunda are frequently available from several Kenyan destinations. Flights from Nairobi to Ukunda and vice versa run a few times a day, take an hour and are pretty cheap. (Approx 50 USD one way).

Jambojet and Fly540 operate Diani Ukunda to Nairobi and return flights throughout the year. 

The SGR train runs a twice daily, very cheap, clean and comfortable service from Nairobi to Mombasa and makes a cheap, if lengthy alternative way to travel to Diani beach.  

It is entirely possible to drive to Diani from Nairobi, and many people do.  The journey takes between 8 – 10 hours on the well paved but very busy Mombasa highway.   You always have the option of stopping at Tsavo National Park enroute.

diani beach resort kenya

Sharing is caring!