The most effective issues to do in Diani usually contain hitting the seaside or exploring the world’s lovely pure surroundings. This seaside resort city alongside the south coast of Kenya is an unimaginable vacation spot with so many thrilling issues to do and see.
Diani is house to luxurious resorts, seaside villas, white sands, and different sights well-liked with households, backpackers, honeymooners, and solo vacationers.
In the event you love strolling alongside sandy seashores, swimming with dolphins, or taking nature walks, you’ll discover many great issues to see in Diani. It’s additionally situated near small islands and coral gardens, making it a haven for water sports activities lovers.
15 Greatest Issues to Do in Diani
I’m Kenyan and work as a tour information, so I’ve travelled throughout my nation, experiencing the most effective it has to supply.
I as soon as spent nearly two weeks exploring Diani and different locations alongside the south coast. Its seashores had been charming, the city laid again and charming, and every little thing else was nonetheless engaging.
On this article, I’ll describe a few of the greatest issues to do and locations to go to in Diani. Some Diani sights will be explored independently, whereas others, like diving, will be organized by skilled operators.
There are much more than the next 15 issues to do in Diani. Nevertheless, as a neighborhood Kenyan who’s been to the world just a few occasions, I’ve narrowed the checklist to my favourite locations. They’re primarily based on accessibility, value, degree of enjoyable, and journey.
1. Discover the Magnificent Seashores
Top-of-the-line issues to do in Diani is to discover the numerous seashores. The small coastal city is house to a number of lovely seashores and hosts quite a few luxurious resorts. You possibly can stroll alongside the seashores, sunbathe, loosen up, or take pleasure in scrumptious meals and chilly drinks.
Galu Kinondo is the most effective seaside in Diani for watersports and rest, whereas Tiwi is ideal for an off-beat day trip. In the event you love white sands and blue waters, head to the magnificent Diani Seaside.
So as to add to the seaside enjoyable, a number of eating places in Diani supply an exquisite eating expertise. My favorites embody the Nomad Seaside Bar for seafood, and the romantic Ali Barbour’s Cave.
2. Uncover the Native Life-style with a Native
Most vacationers, together with locals like me, get caught up within the allure of Diani Seaside and overlook to discover the world farther inland.
Throughout my latest journey to Diani, I resisted the urge to restrict myself to the seaside and ventured inland. I wished to see how individuals lived in that a part of Kenya, their structure, tradition, and day by day actions.
So, I walked alongside the streets of Ukunda, talked to native shopkeepers in Gazi, and marveled at conventional buildings in Tiwi.
If you wish to expertise the native life in Diani, be a part of this thrilling strolling tour round Ukunda city. Throughout the guided tour, you’ll work together with locals, discover markets, and style native dishes. It’s undoubtedly one of the crucial culturally enriching actions in Diani.
3. Go on a Sundown Canoe Experience on the Kongo River
The Kongo River winds down between mangroves and drains into the Indian Ocean, separating Diani Seaside and Tiwi Seaside. This magical river is superb for birders, nature lovers, and sundown chasers.
It has a large upstream however turns into shallow in direction of the ocean, permitting individuals to entry the 2 seashores simply.
The easiest way to discover the Kongo River is by becoming a member of this guided expertise. The tour begins with a go to to the historic Kongo Mosque. You’ll then experience in a canoe, recognizing varied birds, studying in regards to the space, and watching the sundown.
After the canoe experience, you possibly can take pleasure in dinner on the Estuary Seaside Lounge or share tales round a seaside bonfire.
There are various seaside inns close to the Kongo River. Nevertheless, I extremely advocate staying at Jacaranda Indian Ocean Seaside Resort.
4. Swim within the Africa Pool alongside Tiwi Seaside
Tiwi Seaside might not be as well-known as Diani Seaside, but it surely’s simply as lovely and hosts one of many hidden gems in Diani – Africa Pool. This magical pool resembles the map of Africa and its surrounding islands. It’s seen throughout low tide and is a pleasant swimming spot.
Whereas it’s potential to stroll alongside Tiwi Seaside to the Africa Pool, I extremely advocate being accompanied by a native information. Throughout the stroll, you’ll see coral cliffs, caves, and seashells, and spot different swimming pools alongside the way in which.
Bear in mind that some stretches of this seaside have many sea urchins. Subsequently, make sure you put on sneakers to guard your toes from their stinging spikes.
Try these high resort and lodging choices in case you’re questioning the place to remain close to Tiwi Seaside. You can even expertise seaside tenting at Twiga Lodge.
5. Sail on a Conventional Dhow to Wasini Island
One of many high highlights of my journey to Diani was visiting Kisite Mpunguti Marine Nationwide Park, the place dolphins, turtles, fish species, and exquisite coral gardens thrive.
The marine park is situated off the coast and might solely be accessed by boat. It has heat waters that are perfect for snorkeling and swimming.
The easiest way to expertise this incredible Diani attraction is by becoming a member of this guided tour. You’ll go away Shimoni city by a dhow (boat) cruise to Kisite Mpunguti, the place you’ll go snorkeling and dolphin recognizing.
Afterward, you’ll go to Wasini Island village for a seafood lunch and drinks earlier than returning to Shimoni.
Whereas nonetheless in Shimoni, I like to recommend visiting Shimoni Caves. These limestone caves had been as soon as used as ready locations for captured enslaved individuals earlier than they had been taken to the Zanzibar slave market and past.
6. Go Scuba Diving (One of many Greatest Issues to do in Diani)
In the event you’re searching for locations to go scuba diving in Kenya, go to Diani. The seaside city is welcoming to all sorts of divers, from inexperienced persons to specialists. Its local weather can also be favorable, permitting you to take pleasure in diving all 12 months spherical.
Diani’s magnificence isn’t restricted to what’s on the floor but additionally stretches into the huge world beneath. It’s house to a number of dive websites which host teams of uncommon fish species and engaging corals. These websites embody pure reefs comparable to Galu Reef and purpose-sunk ships just like the Waa Wreck.
The easiest way to affix a diving journey in Diani is by contacting a diving operator. One of many facilities within the space is Diving the Crab. They’re situated at The Sands at Nomad Resort and have pleasant, skilled divers who know the dive websites properly.
7. Go to the Magical Funzi Island
Funzi Island is a fishing village in Kwale county. It’s surrounded by mangroves and has a fantastic seaside alongside its shores. Though the island is much less explored, it’s among the finest locations to go to close to Diani.
The easiest way to expertise Funzi Island is by becoming a member of this tour. It consists of cruising between mangroves, experiencing the seaside, a experience alongside the Ramisi River to see crocodiles, and a village tour.
Though I wouldn’t advocate it due to the hustle of accessibility, it’s potential to discover Funzi Island independently.
Throughout my latest go to, I boarded a matatu (minibus) from Likoni bus station close to Mombasa to Ramisi Sugar Manufacturing unit, after which took a bodaboda (motorbike taxi) to Bodo village. From there, I hopped on a ready boat to the island.
8. Discover the Kaya Kinondo Sacred Forest
Kaya Kinondo Forest is among the eleven forests alongside the Kenyan coast and is a UNESCO World Heritage Website. The forest holds the stays of fortified villages constructed by the Mijikenda individuals through the sixteenth century.
This forest grove is taken into account a sacred abode of the Mijikenda ancestors, and it’s used as a spot of prayer and a supply of conventional medication.
So in case you’re nonetheless searching for extra issues to do in Diani, head to Kaya Kinondo Forest. It’s a nature lover’s paradise, a middle of wealthy historical past, and a spot for a memorable cultural expertise. It’s undoubtably one in every of my favourite sights in Diani.
Though Kaya Kinondo Sacred Forest is situated off the vacationer path, the hidden gem in Diani is definitely accessible. You possibly can drive there from Diani or be a part of a half-day nature stroll tour.
9. Go to Colobus Conservation Heart
Colobus Conservation Heart is among the organizations devoted to the preservation of primates just like the Angolan colobus monkey. Situated alongside Diani Seaside Highway, the middle leads the way in which in conservation by way of reforestation, education schemes, and animal welfare.
Diani is house to a number of primate species, together with colobus monkeys, baboons, vervet monkeys, and Syke’s monkeys. Most of those primates are endangered and require safety.
Plan a go to and study in regards to the facilities’ efforts to rescue, rehabilitate, and launch primates into their habitats.
The middle is open for guided primate eco-tours from Monday to Saturday between 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Try their web site for reserving.
10. Go to the Bora Bora Wildlife Park
Bora Bora Wildlife Park is among the greatest locations to go to in Diani for lovers of nature and wildlife. The park is in the identical ecosystem because the Kaya Kinondo Forest – a sacred abode of the Mijikenda neighborhood.
In the event you’re searching for a spot to loosen up, take nature walks, and watch wildlife, go to Bora Bora. You’ll additionally find out about varied sorts of bushes within the forest path and their conventional medicinal makes use of.
Apart from wildlife like giraffes and zebras, the park is house to Syke’s monkeys, crocodiles, and varied hen species. It additionally has a fantastic tented camp the place you possibly can keep throughout your journey to Diani.
11. Discover Chale Island (One of many Greatest Issues to do Exterior Diani)
Along with Wasini and Funzi, there’s yet one more secluded island close to Diani price exploring – Chale Island.
Chale is a personal resort island located off the coast that’s simply seen from Gazi Seaside. It incorporates a small stretch of unspoiled seaside, spectacular coral reefs, and forests of mangroves.
The island additionally hosts the luxurious Sands at Chale Island. This seaside resort is the one lodging facility on the island. It’s lovely and options elegant rooms, a restaurant, and facilities for a romantic getaway.
To succeed in Chale Island, take a ship experience from the island’s workplace on the finish of Diani Seaside Highway or keep on the island for just a few nights. You can even drive alongside the ocean observe when the tide is low.
12. Be a part of a Tour of Shimba Hills Nationwide Reserve
Lower than an hour’s drive from Ukunda city is the Shimba Hills Nationwide Reserve, among the finest issues to see in Diani and in addition among the finest day journeys from Diani Seaside.
This sport reserve includes a various habitat, together with large bushes, grasslands, forestlands, and scrub areas. It additionally holds one of many largest coastal forests in East Africa, solely second to Arabuko Sokoke.
Shimba Hills is a superb vacation spot if you wish to escape the seaside for a day. It gives guests a memorable wildlife expertise with sightings of animals comparable to elephants, giraffes, and the uncommon sable antelope.
It’s additionally house to the spectacular Sheldrick Falls and a wide range of hen species.
The nationwide reserve is definitely accessible by street from Diani. You can even be a part of this organized day journey.
13. Be taught to Kitesurf at Galu Kinondo Seaside
I’ve all the time wished to discover ways to kitesurf. After I visited Galu Kinondo Seaside, the sight of surfers rekindled my curiosity, however I used to be brief on time to affix in.
Galu Kinondo is a spectacular, much less crowded seaside barely south of Diani Seaside. The palm-lined stretch is well-liked for water actions comparable to kitesurfing and paddleboarding, a few of the most difficult and rewarding Diani actions.
In the event you’re like me and are keen on studying learn how to surf, go to Kenya Kitesurf College alongside Galu Kinondo Seaside. They provide classes to finish inexperienced persons, and their charges are affordable.
There are a number of locations to remain and eat close to this seaside. For first-time guests, I like to recommend stress-free on the Neptune Village Resort and Spa and having fun with recent fish at Mvureni Seaside Restaurant.
Moreover, boasting two close by coral reefs, Galu Kinondo can also be among the finest locations to go to in Diani for diving and snorkeling.
14. Stroll Between Mangroves at Gazi Seaside
In the event you’re searching for distinctive issues to do in Diani with a social affect, you’ll love visiting the Gazi Ladies Mangrove Boardwalk alongside Gazi Seaside. Right here, you possibly can take a stroll between mangroves, watch birds or loosen up by the ocean.
Though much less visited, this is among the greatest locations within the space for nature lovers. It’s run by cheerful native girls who love conservation and their cultural heritage. Throughout the brief go to, they’ll present you round and educate you on the several types of mangroves and their makes use of.
After I final visited Gazi, I used to be led to a seaside the place fishermen promote their catch to merchants. Subsequent to this seaside, there’s a slave home that dates again to when Gazi was a slave buying and selling publish.
15. Take a Day Journey to Mombasa Metropolis
To finish this checklist of the most effective issues to do in Diani, I like to recommend taking a day journey to Mombasa. The island metropolis is situated about 30 kilometers from Diani and has loads of vacationer sights.
There are numerous locations to go to in Mombasa such because the Fort Jesus Museum and Wild Waters. You can even be a part of an thrilling meals tour, expertise Mombasa’s vibrant nightlife, or discover the previous city on foot.
Town has some lovely seashores too. It’s house to the well-known Pirates Public Seaside, the alluring Nyali Seaside, and the much less crowded Shanzu Seaside. You’ll additionally discover nice resorts, eating places, and purchasing facilities shut to those seashores and sights.
☞ SEE ALSO: 10 Greatest Seashores in Mombasa
Fast Journey Itineraries For Diani
Listed below are just a few instructed itineraries for as much as 7 days in Diani. They embody the most effective issues to do and locations to go to within the coastal city.
1 Day in Diani Itinerary
Someday in Diani is greatest spent alongside the seaside. Guide your self right into a seaside resort just like the Diani Reef and be prepared for enjoyable within the solar.
Begin your day with a protracted stroll alongside Diani Seaside to Tiwi Seaside. Calm down and revel in lunch at Estuary Seaside Lounge earlier than strolling to the Africa Pool.
After exploring the coral caves and swimming within the pool, head again to Kongo River Seaside for a sundown canoe experience. End your day with a eating expertise at Nomad Seaside Bar.
2-3 Days in Diani Itinerary
Right here’s how one can expertise most Diani sights in two-three days.
Day 1: Spend your first-day exploring Ukunda with a neighborhood, visiting Colobus Conservation Heart, and stress-free on the seaside.
Day 2: Begin your second day with a morning seaside stroll and breakfast in a pleasant restaurant. From there, head to Tiwi Seaside and spend your afternoon exploring coral caves and swimming within the Africa Pool. End your day with a sundown canoe experience on the Kongo River and dinner at this restaurant.
Day 3: Enterprise exterior Diani Seaside for a day journey to Shimba Hills Nationwide Park, Wasini Island, or Gazi Seaside.
1 Week in Diani Itinerary
Listed below are just a few concepts for 7 days in Diani. All of the locations will be explored out of your resort, resort, or trip rental in Diani Seaside.
Day 1: Be a part of this strolling tour of Ukunda within the morning. From there, go to the Colobus Conservation Heart after which spend your night strolling alongside the seaside.
Day 2: I like to recommend spending the second day in Diani exploring Tiwi Seaside and Kongo River as per the above itinerary. Ensure you go to the Kongo Mosque.
Day 3: Spend the third day in nature exterior Diani with a go to to Bora Bora Wildlife Park and Kaya Kinondo Forest.
Day 4: I like to recommend spending your fourth day visiting Gazi Seaside. You possibly can take a nature stroll alongside the mangrove boardwalk and go to the fishermen’s seaside to see the close by slave home. An alternate is taking a ship experience to Chale Island Seaside.
Day 5: Take a day journey to Kisite Mpunguti Marine Reserve to swim, snorkel, and spot dolphins. A guided tour of Kisite Mpunguti additionally takes you to Wasini Island for a scrumptious seafood lunch.
Day 6: Be a part of a day journey to Shimba Hills Nationwide Park or journey north and discover Mombasa metropolis. In the event you go for Mombasa, be sure to strive hen biryani at Jahazi Espresso Home.
Day 7: Relying in your curiosity, you possibly can spend the final day scuba diving or visiting Funzi Island. Ensure you end the day in Diani with dinner on the Nomad Seaside Bar and Restaurant.
The place to Keep in Diani
Not like different coastal locations like Mombasa, Diani is house to a couple neighborhoods. Nevertheless, the seaside city is dotted with world-class seaside resorts and distinctive trip leases.
Beneath are a few of the greatest lodging choices in Diani for vacationers.
Diani Reef Seaside Resort & Spa: Greatest for Households and {Couples}
This 5-star resort is among the most well-known lodging services in Diani. It’s located alongside Diani Seaside and gives world-class hospitality to households, {couples}, and company vacationers.
With multi-cuisine eating places, bars, elegant rooms, suites, a swimming pool, and a spa, it guarantees nothing however a very memorable expertise.
For journey lovers, scuba diving, snorkeling, and windsurfing actions will be organized from the resort.
Baobab Seaside Resort & Spa: Greatest for Households and First-time Guests
Baobab is one other great spot to remain in Diani for consolation, luxurious, and tranquility. It’s set in an 80-acre coastal forest overlooking the seaside and the blue waters of the Indian Ocean.
The resort boasts lovely rooms with distinctive inside designs and trendy facilities. You possibly can swim in one in every of their three swimming swimming pools, take pleasure in recent meals at their restaurant, and unwind with drinks on the pool bar.
Close by Diani sights embody Kaya Kinondo Forest, Colobus Conservation Heart, and Bora Bora Wildlife Park.
The Sands At Nomad: Greatest for Journey Seekers and Meals Lovers
Nomad is the perfect seaside resort in Diani to take pleasure in a calming seaside trip with nice companies. The resort is about in an enormous indigenous forest subsequent to Diani Seaside and options all of the facilities for an ideal keep.
Apart from the spacious lodging services, an out of doors swimming pool, and a spa, the resort has a totally geared up health middle.
It’s additionally house to a watersport middle (Diving the Crab) and among the finest eating places in Diani – Nomad Seaside Bar.
Tequila Dawn: Greatest for Households and Small Teams
The Tequila Dawn is among the many greatest trip leases alongside the south coast. This distinctive serviced seaside house is about in a serene 4-acre pure forest that hosts totally different primates. It’s surrounded by baobabs and gives lovely views of the ocean.
The two-bedroom house options 3 beds and a pair of baths and is good for as much as 4 friends. It prices about $140 per night time.
The Villa Luxurious Suites: Greatest for {Couples} and Solo Vacationers
This gorgeous villa resort is ideal for anybody in search of luxurious, peace, and rest close to Diani Seaside. It incorporates a king-size mattress, spacious lavatory, a personal pool (within the suites), a flat display screen TV, and different facilities.
Kaya Kinondo Sacred Forest is simply quarter-hour away by automobile. The closest airport (Ukunda airport) is 2.5 km from the The Villa Luxurious Suites and Moi Airport is 42 km away.
In the event you fancy a romantic dinner, I counsel Ali Barbour’s Cave Restaurant.
Greatest Eating places in Diani
Whether or not you’re into native dishes like biryani or seafood like recent prawns, you’ll discover an important restaurant to fit your fancy in Diani. So, to offer you some concepts, under are my favourite locations to eat alongside Diani Seaside.
Nomad Seaside Bar and Restaurant
The Nomad Seaside Bar is my favourite restaurant alongside the gorgeous Diani Seaside. Apart from its excellent ocean views, the beachfront eatery gives high quality native and worldwide dishes. It additionally incorporates a fashionable exterior seating house the place you possibly can loosen up and benefit from the ocean breeze.
Relating to indulging in high-quality eating, the Nomad’s menu has a wide range of dishes for all tastes. You possibly can order seafood, Swahili dishes, vegetarian meals, and extra.
Check out their seafood platter. It consists of octopus, fish fillet, prawn skewer, calamari, and garlic butter, served with candy potato chips.
Ali Barbour’s Cave Restaurant
In the event you’re searching for romantic issues in Diani, go for dinner at Ali Barbour’s. This distinctive restaurant is about inside a coral cave and lit with colourful candles. It additionally has a gap that brings pure mild from the starlit sky at night time.
The beautiful ambiance of the restaurant is complimented by scrumptious meals and a big selection of drinks. You possibly can order seafood comparable to garlic prawns, pizza, steak, hen tagine, salmon, and extra.
Asha Bistro
Whereas strolling alongside Diani Seaside someday again, I got here throughout the Asha Bistro beachfront restaurant. Though small, Asha Bistro is charming and gives guests an area to attach and benefit from the ocean view.
The restaurant has a wide range of dishes and drinks at inexpensive charges. Ensure you check out their tasty barbeque served with garlic bread or roast potatoes.
Tips on how to Get to Diani
Ukunda, the gateway to Diani Seaside, has a small airport served by home flights flying in from different airports in Kenya like JKIA, Wilson, and Lamu. A number of the greatest airways from Nairobi to Diani embody Jambojet, Fly540, and Fly Safarilink.
You can even journey from Nairobi to Mombasa by prepare after which connect with Diani by taxi or shared van. There are three day by day trains from Nairobi to Mombasa.
Touring from Mombasa to Diani is straightforward. You possibly can self-drive, hail a taxi, or use a matatu (native van). These matatus are boarded at Likoni, a brief ferry experience from Mombasa Island.
Issues to Do in Diani: FAQs
Listed below are some solutions to generally requested questions on visiting Diani.
Diani is legendary for its tropical local weather, sandy seashores, world-class seaside resorts, and water actions.
Attributable to its good local weather, Diani welcomes vacationers all 12 months spherical. Nevertheless, to keep away from crowds and excessive charges, I like to recommend touring through the off-season – June to October.
Merely, sure. Diani has one thing for everybody, and it’s price visiting for white sands, seaside rest, watersports, and extra.
There are various issues to do in Diani. A number of the greatest embody strolling alongside the seaside, diving, browsing, visiting Kaya Kinondo Forest, and exploring Wasini Island.
Some hidden gems and sights off the vacationer path in Diani embody Funzi Island, Gazi Ladies Mangrove Boardwalk, Tiwi Seaside, and the Kongo River.
Diani is a seaside city located round 35 kilometers from Mombasa metropolis.
A number of the greatest seashores close to Diani embody Galu Kinondo Seaside, Tiwi Seaside, and Diani Seaside.
For vacationers, Diani is among the safer locations in Kenya. It is a well-liked vacationer vacation spot, however frequent sense nonetheless applies right here. Don’t convey your belongings to the seaside, be careful for thieving monkeys(!), all the time take a taxi at night time, and don’t get entangled in any drug-related exercise and you need to be high-quality.
In Closing
Diani is among the high seaside locations in Kenya and it’s someplace that I’ll undoubtedly return to. Whereas the seaside is unimaginable, and it’ll in all probability be arduous to peel your self away, attempt to go inland and expertise a special facet of Diani.
I hope you’ve loved this publish on the most effective issues to do in Diani and that it helps you intend a memorable journey.
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