Diani Beach

Diani Beach is a resort area on the Indian Ocean in Kenya, 30 km south of Mombasa.

It is the most tourist-oriented beach of the so-called South Coast. It is separated from the Tiwi Beach to the north by the Kongo River. 10 km south of Diani Beach is Galu Beach, 20 km south Gazi Beach, 30 km south the Msambweni Beach and 50 km the south of the Mwazaro Beach.

Understand


People who want to spend their holidays at the wonderful beaches of Kenya and to go on a safari tour have to decide whether to go to South Coast or North Coast, which simply means south or north of Mombasa. While the South Coast has the nicer beaches and more primordial nature the North Coast around Mombasa offers many more activities. Some of the hotels on the South Coast are quite isolated, offering tranquil holidays at the beach and pool which might become boring. Others are closer to night-life and shopping centres. In contrast, the beaches of the North Coast that are close to Mombasa are more crowded but offer a lot of action and activities, sightseeing, sports, night-life (see Mombasa, Mtwapa). The beaches further north (Kilifi, Watamu, Malindi) are like the South Coast, relatively undeveloped and tranquil, not as long and broad as Diani Beach but even more photogenic.

There will be many cultural differences that often lead to misunderstandings between guests and locals. It's advisable to inform yourself (see: Kenya).

Kenya is known for sex tourism too. Along the beach, in beach bars or in the huts along the beach offering massage you will get in contact with Kenyan women and men who try to attach themselves to a tourist in search of a better life. Money, not sympathy, is what they are looking for. If you choose to partake, take the usual precautions against HIV and other sexually-transmitted infections.

Climate
The climate at Diani Beach is tropical, wet and warm. The best travel time is from late November to mid-March. After that it gets uncomfortably hot with increased humidity. The worst travel time is in the main rainy season from April to June. It usually rains only briefly and then the sun shines again, but it is also possible to suffer a continuous rain for days. Also in the 2nd rainy season, October-November, you have to reckon with inconveniences. As it is never cold on rainy days you can still sit at the pool bars or even take beach walks. Aside from the several bars and the shopping malls in Ukunda, there are no other attractions that you can visit in the rain; you can only tour Mombasa, visiting the old town, Fort Jesus, some temples, shops and shopping malls. Rainy days can be a bit boring in Diani.

Package or individual trip
If you come to Kenya for the first time, it is better to book a package tour. Then you don't have to worry about anything and you can get to know the country and its peculiarities in peace. If you liked it and you want to come back, then it is cheaper to book your individual flight and hotel or holiday apartment.

By plane

 * Although there is a small airport in Ukunda, international travelers usually fly to the airport in Mombasa or come via Nairobi and then by plane or train/bus to Mombasa. Jambojet and Silver Stone Airlines offer direct low-cost flights between  Ukunda  and  Nairobi  and Sax Airlines  Mombasa - Ukunda .


 * Direct flight: From the airport, guests who have booked holiday packages are usually picked up by the hotels by minibus. It takes about 2 hours from the landing in Mombasa to the arrival at the hotel. Those arriving privately can take one of the taxis, which costs about Ksh 5000. If the hotel does not offer transportation to the south coast, it is often possible to join other hotel buses that wait in front of the airport if you speak with the driver and give a tip.
 * Indirect flight via Nairobi: In Nairobi you always have to collect your luggage on the outbound flight (even if you booked the connecting flight to Mombasa on the same ticket). Nairobi is then the entry airport. So you have to go through customs and passport control and get the visa if you don't have an eVisa. This also applies if you have booked the onward flight together with the flight to Mombasa. Then you leave the building with your luggage and go to the Domestic Airport Terminal and check in again. The terminals are arranged in a semicircle and so you can either go across the parking lot or the longer way on the sidewalk. Last has the advantage that you pass by some phone shops to buy a Kenyan SIM card for mobile internet (mostly Safaricom or Airtel), exchange offices and cafes, if you have enough time. Many young men want to earn some money by carrying bags to the other terminal. As a precaution, do not let your luggage out of your hand. Should someone be too intrusive, it helps to get really loud, so security staff become attentive and usually intervene immediately. The whole procedure can go quickly depending on how many planes arrive at the same time but sometimes take 1½ hours.
 * On the return flight from Mombasa via Nairobi to e.g. Europe, you do not need to pick up your luggage. It is automatically transferred to the connecting flight.


 * Jambojet fly to (Jomo-kenyatta Nairobi )
 * Fly540 fly to Wilson Nairobi.
 * Safarilink fly to Wilson Nairobi.
 * Airkenya express fly to Wilson Nairobi.
 * Skyward Express fly to Wilson Nairobi
 * If you want to combine coast holiday with safari in the Massai Mara its advisable to come to Kenya via Nairobi to save the high costs for the flight from Mombasa into the Mara and back.

By taxi
Taxis from Mombasa city centre will be around Ksh 3500, from the Mombasa Airport a little more (Ksh 4000-5000). Uber or Bolt (formerly Taxify) will cost a lot less. A taxi can be a good choice because with public transport you have to change 3 times and it consumes a lot of time. If your hotel does not offer transport to south coast, it is often possible to join other hotel vans that wait in front of the airport if you speak with the driver and give a tip. Travel time is 1-1½ hr.

By bus
The cheapest way to get to Diani Beach is by local bus-taxis (matatus). From Mombasa town to Likoni Ferry is about Ksh 30. From the Likoni Ferry, take another matatu to Ukunda (30 km) for about Ksh 100. From Ukunda to Diani Beach, take another matatu about 5 km at the cost of about Ksh 50. An alternative, from December 2019, is the Hakuna Matatu Bus Shuttle Service that operates on the Kenya Coast, and a ride from Mombasa costs roughly Ksh 1000 and takes 1 hr 30 min.  The shared taxi is a door-to-door service, meaning you will be collected from your current accommodation in Nyali, Kilifi or Watamu and dropped directly at your next accommodation in Diani

Coming from Tanzania, you can get a bus going to Mombasa and ask the driver to be dropped in Ukunda.

Likoni Ferry
To get to Diani Beach from the airport, you have to take a ferry across an estuary. This runs 24/7. It is very busy at peak times. You also have to take this ferry if you want to visit Mombasa from the south coast.

Get around
Many travelers use the insecure means of transport to save a tiny amount of money from stinginess or to feel like "locals". You should really consider whether the risk is worth the small savings. Always before the start of the ride, the fare should be negotiated!


 * Minivans (Matatus): run up and down Diani Beach Road from early in the morning until late in the evening. They are best suited for longer distances, e.g. to Mombasa. They are cheap, mostly overcrowded, unsafe and uncomfortable
 * Tricycle taxi (Tuktuk): they are approved for 3 persons and are suitable for medium to short distances. They are more expensive than the Matatus, but cheaper than taxis and quite often involved in accidents.
 * Motorcycle taxi (Boda-boda): They are the cheapest means of transport for short distances, but also the most dangerous. If you are not poorly off, you should avoid them.
 * Regular taxis: Regular taxis are the most convenient and safest means of transport. In the night it is safest to take always a taxi.
 * Shuttle services: A cheaper alternative to regular taxis are the shuttle services Uber, Taxify, Little, Mondo Ride, MaraMoja, Hakuna Matatu Bus . You can get fares online and thereby avoid getting overcharged, as many taxi drivers like to do to tourists.
 * Rent a car is not recommended if you have no experience in the chaotic left-hand traffic of Kenya, unless, you hire a driver. You can also rent motorcycles, scooters or Quads, which is even more dangerous.
 * Air taxi Diani Airport to Mombasa Airport: If you don't feel like waiting for hours to cross the ferry this is an alternative, especially if there are emergency medical problems.

See




Do




Buy
The main shopping area with boutiques and souvenirs is located along the 25 km long main road with more than a hundred local shops, 3 large shopping centres, many supermarkets, pharmacies and groceries. During the rainy season there are less shops, but in general you will find all the goods. If you visit Maasai village you may also buy unique souvenirs made of beads. The most popular souvenirs in Diani Beach are paintings, wood crafts, fabrics, kikoy, kanga, statues made of soap stone, hand-made jewellery, traditional African, Arab and Indian clothes and many others.

Money: UK pounds, US Dollar or Euro can be changed in every bank and in hotels. At the airport the rates are low and its better to change only small amount on arrival. At the ATMs which can be found at banks and big supermarkets Kenya shilling can be withdrawn with most credit cards. Ecobank, Cooperative Bank, GT Bank ATMs have No withdrawal fee at their own ATMs. Many other ATMs have a Ksh700 withdrawal fee.

When buying goods at small shops, in the streets or at the beach take care to give the exact amount as sellers often tent to betray with change.



Eat
There is no reason to be afraid to go out of the resort at night for visiting clubs or restaurants. For security, take a taxi from the hotel and back, not Tuktuk or motorcycle. Every restaurant will call a reliable taxi to bring you back after dinner. All pubs and bars serve decent food (see drinking) and there are a lot of small good restaurants. About 10 percent of the invoice amount is common as a tip, but only if the food tasted good and service was good. In many restaurants it can take an hour from ordering until food is served, as everything is prepared freshly. The following restaurants are excellent, a bit more expensive and for special events.

Simple but typical local restaurants where there is really great food at very reasonable prices:

Drink
Night live at Diani Beach is not comparable to the North Coast at Mombasa or Mtwapa. Its more a place to relax than to party. Many hotels offer life music in the evening.

If you want to go back to the hotel at night, you should always order a taxi or let the club do it for you. Every club (not the ladies in the club!) knows trustworthy drivers. Furthermore, it is not advisable to wait in the street until a tuktuk or taxi comes by accidentally. Always wait directly at the hotel/bar/restaurant until the ordered vehicle pulls up. The "motorcycle guys" along Diani Beach Road who do snatch thefts are incredibly fast.

At the weekend, many people go to the Manyatta around 8:00 p.m. (first outside - later inside) and around midnight they go to the Tandoori until the sun rises. On Fridays there are often parties in Soul Breeze, right on the beach (more electro) and on Saturdays in Backpackers.

Some of the most frequently visited places are those listed below:

Sleep



 * Hotel location:: Some of the hotels at South Coast are quite isolated offering tranquil holidays at beach and pool which might become boring. Others are closer to night-life and shopping centres. As there are too many hotels, cottages, guest houses at Diani Beach to describe in detail. A look at Google Earth gives a good hint which hotels are quiet and which belong to the more active areas.
 * All-Inclusive: Due to the tropic climate you have to drink a lot and this might sum up if you are not on all inclusive, especially with kids. Prices drinks (2019) in Ksh approx .: water (0,5l): 150-200, soft drinks: 250, beer (0,5l): 300-400, cocktails from 650. If you book half board it is good to have super markets and simple pubs close to the hotels to keeps costs lower, as drinks in the resorts are more expensive than outside. Keep in mind that the hotels that offer all inclusive might have the problem of attracting drunkards and appropriate guests.
 * Private accommodation: You should check the location of the accommodation well in Google Earth, as most of them are not on the beach.
 * Day guest in beach hotel: If you have rented a private house, but want to go in the well-kept hotel areas with sun loungers and pool, etc., must pay admission, depending on the resort can be quite high (about Ksh 2500/person including food and drinks in hotels).
 * Dress code in resorts: men wear long pants at dinner. At breakfast and lunch you can go with short pants and t-shirt or beach dress but never come in swimming trunks or bikini
 * The hotel standards are in almost all respects not comparable with European or US top destinations. Power outages are normal and a certain serenity, as far as time is concerned, you have to adjust.
 * Local guests in hotel rooms: The large all-inclusive hotels do not allow local guests in the hotel. If you want that, you have to switch to smaller Hotels without “Joiner Fee”, where companions can stay overnight at no additional cost. Such hotels are called "Girl friendly" or "Guest friendly" in Kenya. Anyone who would like to spend pleasant hours with their 'hottie' should always rent an extra room anyway, as it often happens that valuables leave the hotel with the 'guest'. There are many tricks that the often inexperienced tourists do not know. Going to the locals' accommodation to save money on an extra hotel room is high risk. Punters have already landed at the police stations without money and with a complaint of rape, which is then only withdrawn against payment of a higher sum.

Budget








Mid-range
There are many nice resorts but some don't have a good beach for swimming due to reefs or sea grass. Good resorts with nice beaches include: Good hotels with less spectacular beach:
 * . has the best beach in the area

Splurge


For those who prefer to enjoy a quiet and relaxed holiday away from the tourist centers, accommodations at Msambweni Beach or Mwazaro Beach are recommended.

Connect
Most long distance connections (bus, train, flights) to other Kenyan destinations go via Mombasa and are described in detail there. Busses to Tansania stop in Ukunda and go via Tanga to Dar es Salaam in about 10-12 hours.

Internet: most hotels have Wi-Fi at least in the reception area. To have internet connection also at the rooms and beach area it is advisable to buy a Kenyan prepaid card at the shopping centres. Mobile internet is cheap in Kenya.

Stay healthy

 * Vaccinations: Every traveler should have at least the usual vaccinations against polio, tetanus, diphtheria, and possibly hepatitis A and B. Vaccinations against typhoid and cholera, diseases transmitted mainly by contaminated water and poor food hygiene, are usually not necessary during tourist stays. Yellow fever: An inoculation against yellow fever must only be done when entering a risk area. Diani Beach is not a risk area but most safari destinations are. Malaria prophylaxis (e.g., lariam, malarone) should be taken as there is a certain malaria risk in most parts of the country. Due to the risk of bilharziosis, bathing in standing fresh water should be avoided.
 * Mosquito repellent. It is important to protect against mosquito bites in order to avoid transmitted diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, West Nile fever, Chikungunya fever and more. In the tropics, DEET-containing compounds are recommended and are also available everywhere on the spot. The higher the concentration of DEET, the more effective (and harmful) the agent. Ecological agents based on essential oils help some, others not. Here everyone, according to his type, must find the right remedy. Since Diani Beach is not an area with ever-moist tropical forests, there are rather few mosquitoes. Also hotel strive to combat. So be careful, but do not panic. Bright long clothes, especially in the evening also helps something. During the rainy season, there are significantly more mosquitoes than in the dry season, so prophylaxis is even more important.
 * Diarrhea: Hardly anyone is spared from diarrhea during a tropical journey. Rarely it is at the foreign food, but mostly at the enjoyment of too cold beverages. Avoid any kind of salads if you have a sensitive stomach. In almost every pharmacy in Kenya "Dia Stop" or Immodium tablets is available. These tablets help immediately and reliably.
 * Tap water is not safe to drink -- buy bottled water instead. In all accommodations, things of value and cash should never be left in the room, but only in the hotel safe! Things that are left unattended on the beach are gone. Take the usual precautions against HIV infections.
 * STDs.: Many guests on the Kenyan coast enjoy close contact with local women or men. Sex tourism is an important source of income for poor Kenyans and whether at night in pubs or during the day at the beach walk or at the beach bar and of course at the massage booths along the beaches it comes to contacts. Individual men and women are very quickly addressed by the "beach boys" or "beach girls". The usual precautionary measures against HIV infection should never be neglected.
 * At the beach: Depending on the tides, the sea can sometimes have high waves. Currents and undercurrents should not be underestimated. Especially with running water you should not swim too far out. Nudism and topless bathing is prohibited in Kenya. The police is rigorous in this case. When walking on the reef simple beach shoes made of soft plastic are completely unsuitable, because on the coral reef also sea urchins live, whose long and pointed spines pierce easily the plastic soles. Old sandals with a thick, solid sole are more suitable. It is important to use sunscreen and wear a hat. The sun is strong near Equator! Sunglasses are very important because of the reflective white sand on the beach. Good mosquito repellent is important. Also in Kenya there are very good and effective repellents on sale.
 * Jellyfish: In January/February sometimes small (about 2-4 cm), blue jellyfish come to the south coast. They float on the water surface. The tentacles can be extended up to about 30 cm. They are not poisonous, just burning very hard. Immediate rubbing with vinegar helps! Do not wash with fresh water immediately, that's what makes it worse for the moment. If there are any remains of the tentacles on the skin, first remove them with a cloth or napkin. Do not touch with bare hands as they are still active for a while.
 * Health insurances: If you stay longer than 6 weeks, you may need to get insurance in Kenya, as travel insurance often allows a maximum of 6 weeks. Insurance that tourists like to use are: UAP Old Mutual, AAR, National Hospital Insurance Fund - NHIF
 * . A real modern hospital is available in case of emergencies, also the
 * Dentists: The Diani Beach Hospital has a new, modern dental area
 * General behaviour in public: consult the respect rules how to interact with Kenyans and the safety guidelines for general safety suggestions
 * Emergency number: 112

Stay safe

 * Valuables: Diani Beach is a relatively safe area, especially during the day. Nevertheless one should not carry valuable jewellery or watches, have the purse not in the back pocket, etc. because of pickpockets. In the evening you should always take a taxi to the pubs and restaurants. For all accommodations is that valuables and cash, never to be left in the room, but should be kept in the hotel safe (against receipt) or room safe! There are also hotel safe locks (e.g. Milockie) where you can additionally secure the room safe against thieving room staff with your own (curtains)-lock. Room safes are not really safe. Only with this type of safekeeping the baggage insurance will pay in case of theft. A theft must be reported to the police. Things that you leave unobserved on the beach are gone!
 * Passport: For police checks, ID is required. But also a copy is sufficient. Therefore, you should have a copy made at the hotel on the day of arrival, which you can always take with you, without fear of losing your ID. Important are the first page and the page with the visa.
 * Monkeys in the hotels: There are monkeys in all the hotel facilities. They can be quite troublesome if you leave a window or balcony door open. They enter the room looking for food and leave it in a chaos. Mostly these are baboons and blue (diademed) monkeys. The latter are sometimes also quite aggressive! The problem is that they are fed by many tourists. These animals are, of course, smart, and expect this from all whites. Although there are signs everywhere stating that the feeding of the monkeys is forbidden, this is seldom noticed. Also in the hotel gardens they tend to steal from the tables. They might look sweet and entertaining, but be aware and don't feed them.
 * Day/Night: During the daytime you never need to be afraid of raids. In the evening take a taxi if you go out to pubs and restaurants. For your best safety at night always go by taxi to restaurants or bars and back, not motorbike taxi or tuktuk. Often employees of tour operators warn to leave the hotel on their own. So one misses many country-typical impressions. That is completely reasonless. It is best to note down the phone number of a trustworthy and nice taxi driver who can then bring you to the tourist attractions, night bars or restaurants and pick you up.
 * Beach boys: For many tourists, however, the beachboys are very unpleasant. These are traders of all ages and sex who want to sell everything from the souvenirs, massages to a safari. Although it is understandable that the people in Kenya are very poor and every source of income is used, they become annoying when you are addressed ever few meters. Be aware of Common scams.
 * Photos: Before you take pictures of people, you should always ask for permission. Forbidden are photos of military and public institutions such as banks, and ferries. Here police is very rigorous, so be careful!
 * Sex tourism: Kenya is known for its sex tourism. Young Kenyan women and men hope for a better life overseas by marrying a tourist. Therefore, you can often see retirees in nice company of too young ladies, or mature ladies with young men. You may feel young again, but you should never forget that money counts here, not supposed love. For Kenya as well, age, social background and educational attainment should match for long-term relationships.
 * Power adapter: In Kenya, the English 220V three-pole plug is used. It is recommended to take an adapter with overvoltage protection from your home country. Voltage fluctuations are common in Kenya and so you secure your cell phone or computer. In the large supermarkets in Ukunda you can get the appropriate adapter, but without the voltage protection.

Go next



 * . Tsavo East is generally flat, with dry plains across which the Galana River flows with swampy marshland. The park forms the largest protected area in Kenya and is home to most of the larger mammals, vast herds of dust –red elephant, Rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, pods of hippo, crocodile, waterbucks, lesser Kudu, gerenuk and the prolific bird life features 500 recorded species. The 300-km long Yatta Plateau is the longest lava flow in the world. The park is about 350 km from Diani Beach. A booked tour of two days is about €250.
 * : Tsavo West is characterized by a hilly arid landscape. This park is dotted with volcanic cones; dramatic, black lava flows; and a number of rocky outcrops.
 * Maasai Mara National Reserve. A safari trip to the best known Kenyan National Park is about €1000 including flight and hotel for a three-day trip from Diani Beach.
 * Mombasa: A must-see destination for those who want to see more of Kenya than just the beach. Good shopping for souvenirs. Those who do not dare to visit the city on their own can book day tours at the local travel agencies in Ukunda or on Diani Beach.
 * Mtwapa: the village of the Europeans 20 km north of Mombasa, known as the "village that never sleeps", 20 km north of Mombasa, the center of nightlife and prostitution on the Kenyan coast. In addition to the night-life scene, the Jumba Ruins and the Creek are well worth seeing. Some providers of day tours in Diani and Ukund offer a visit together with Mombasa.
 * Msambweni: Although it is only half an hour by car from the touristic hub of Diani Beach, package tourism has not arrived in these parts yet - on the long beaches you rarely meet a white person. Msambweni consists of a cluster of ten villages; all together they have about 12,000 inhabitants, predominantly Muslims and members of the locally dominant Digo tribe. People in Msambweni make their livelihood mainly from agriculture, fishing, crafts and trade and some public service. Coconut palms, mango and neem trees, and sugar cane plantations characterize the area. You can go there by either rental car (best plus driver) or book a tour at one of the local travel agencies.