DIANI BEACH
Area: Kenya


Location:
On the extreme SE coast, 21 miles S of Mombasa, 320 miles from the capital, Nairobi. 28 miles SE of Mombasa's Moi International Airport.

Telephone code from UK:
254 10

Position:
Several miles of pale sandy coast facing the Indian Ocean with coral reefs a few hundred yards offshore. Backed by coconut palm trees and rapidly disappearing coastal forest. Mwachema creek separates Diani Beach from Tiwi Beach to the N. In the dry season, it is possible to walk across at low tide.

Description:
One of the most developed resort areas, with dozens of large tourist-class hotels, shops, banks, travel agencies, restaurants, bars and discos along a 10 mile coastal strip. White walls and sloping thatched roofs predominate.

Suitability:
Package tourists wanting everything laid on and plenty of activities. Not for those seeking unspoilt paradise or genuine (non-commercial) contact with locals.

Accommodation:
Little choice in the budget range, but plenty in middle and upmarket categories. Many of the larger hotels have converted to all-inclusive clubs, with the result that visitors tend to stay at the one they have chosen without wandering far afield. High seasons are December to March plus July and August when charter flights peak. At weekends hotels may be invaded by wealthier residents of Mombasa and Nairobi though their main market is package tour business from Europe.

Shopping:
Several modern shopping centres along the strip contain supermarkets, pharmacies, travel agencies for safaris, and upmarket clothes shops. Also a few huddles of local curio stalls selling wood carvings, colourful clothes and tribal trinkets.

Beach:
A very long stretch of soft white sand merging into Galu Beach to the S, protected by offshore coral reef, backed by hotel lawns and coconut palm trees. Most of the beach S of the road junction for Ukunda gets covered by the sea at high tide. A common complaint among visitors is the constant pestering from hawkers on the beaches and in practice few visitors seem to lie out on the sands, preferring instead the hotel's pool areas. It is not advisable to wander around on beaches after dark. Weed can be a problem during the rainy season (Jul_Sep).

Entertainments:
Daytime: most hotels offer water sports including scuba diving, snorkelling, glass-bottomed boat trips over the coral reefs, and sailing. Nightlife: live bands and nightly shows in most hotels. Some discos along the coast road with music ranging from reggae and Congolese sounds, to soul divas and Euro-pop.

Eating:
Several European and Asian restaurants along the coast road, including one in a cave. Several beach bars serving snacks and grilled fish. Some local eateries serve Kenyan food, notably grilled goat meat (nyama choma).

Public-transport:
Regular "matatus" (pick-up minibuses) run from the hotel strip and connect with the Likoni Ferry for Mombasa.

Local-excursions:
16th-century Kongo Mosque, at the far N end of the beach (1 hour). Guided walks through the dwindling Jadini Forest _ famous for its colobus monkeys (2-3 hours). Other organised tours pick up at hotels for the same excursions as those listed under Mombasa.