By air
Ukunda (UKA) or Mombasa (MBA), Mombasa ~1 h
Africa · Kenya
Diani Beach, Kenya
White sand and palm trees on the coast
Getting there
Best time to visit
December to March and July to October — dry
Don't miss
Diani Beach
The Colobus Conservation
Wasini Island
The Shimba Hills
Things to do
Snorkelling
Kitesurfing
Dhow trips to Wasini Island
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Nicor · CC BY 3.0
What to pack
Swimwear
A quieter corner
The Kaya Kinondo sacred forest
Questions travellers ask
Which months are dry at Diani Beach?
December to March and July to October. Pack swimwear for the white sand and palm trees.
What can I do at Diani Beach?
Snorkelling, kitesurfing and dhow trips to Wasini Island. Also visit the Colobus Conservation and the Shimba Hills.
Is there a hidden gem near Diani Beach?
The Kaya Kinondo sacred forest. Afterwards, try some Swahili seafood.
Where do I fly into for Diani Beach?
Ukunda (UKA) or Mombasa (MBA); from Mombasa it's about an hour.
About Diani Beach
- Coastal
Where it is
Diani Beach is a resort coast in Kwale County in south-eastern Kenya, on the Indian Ocean south of Mombasa, where a long white-sand beach is sheltered by a coral reef.
History
This coast has been home for centuries to the Digo, one of the Mijikenda peoples, and Swahili and Arab traders sailed its waters; the old Kongo Mosque stands at the northern end of the beach. From the mid-20th century tourism grew, and hotels now line the shore.
People
The Digo, a Mijikenda people who speak Chidigo and Swahili, farm and fish along this coast, and their sacred kaya forests, such as Kaya Kinondo, are protected as places of prayer and ritual. Swahili dishes such as coconut fish curry, pilau and mandazi are local staples.
Known for
- A long white-sand beach and coral reef
- Kitesurfing and snorkelling
- Colobus monkeys and the Colobus Conservation
- Dhow trips to Wasini Island and Kisite
- The Kaya Kinondo sacred forest
Did you know?
Colobus monkeys in Diani cross the busy beach road on rope bridges, known as colobridges, put up by a local conservation group to keep them safe from traffic.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.