TIWI BEACH
Area: Kenya


Location:
On the extreme SE coast, 315 miles SE from the capital, Nairobi, 16 miles S of Mombasa, 22 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. Fronted by reefs and sand bars; backed by woodland. Separated from Diani Beach to the S by Mwachema creek _ in the dry season, it is possible to walk across at low tide.

Description:
One of the least developed of Kenya's beach resorts. Only one tourist-class hotel and almost a dozen beach cottage complexes nestled in thick coastal woods backed by maize plantations and coconut palm groves. Access is along narrow dirt tracks, some of which become impassable after rains.

Suitability:
A lovely beach but isolated without personal transport; few guests venture out of the hotels on foot as little nightlife and few places to eat out. Would suit those looking for peace and tranquillity, and avid snorkellers.

Accommodation:
One large mid-market package tour hotel at the S end of the beach with its own bizarre 300 yard stretch of tarmac road reached by 3 miles of dirt track. Almost a dozen cottage and chalet complexes spread out along the coast further N.

Shopping:
None. The nearest shopping centre is at Diani Beach, 10 miles away.

Beach:
The nicest beach S of Mombasa: a glorious stretch of soft white sand protected by sandbars and an offshore coral reef, both within wading distance at low tide. Hawkers and peddlers abound on the S part during the day, and not at all safe alone after dark. Weed can be a problem during the rainy season (Jul_Sep).

Entertainments:
Daytime: water sports at Travellers Tiwi Beach Hotel include waterskiing, windsurfing, snorkelling (reefs are within wading distance at low tide), scuba diving, deep sea fishing. Squash courts. Some of the cottage complexes have snorkelling gear for hire. Nightlife: limited to hotel entertainments and one beach bar in a cottage complex, popular with young backpackers and overlanders.

Eating:
One beach bar serves snacks and simple meals _ otherwise nothing.

Public-transport:
The nearest is along the main coast road 3 miles away, with regular "matatus" (pick-up minibuses) for Mombasa and Diani Beach. Tourists are advised to get a taxi for the 3 miles to the resort, as there have been recurrent incidents of robbery.

Local-excursions:
Organised tours are as for Mombasa, and pick up at hotels.