Top places to visit in Diani Beach

• Diani Beach

  resort beach · 4.6 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate

  A postcard south-coast beach of white sand and turquoise water, backed by palms — swimming, kitesurfing and reef trips.

• Shimba Hills National Reserve

  national reserve · 4.2 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate

  A coastal rainforest reserve inland of Diani, home to the rare sable antelope, elephants and the Sheldrick Falls.

• Colobus Conservation

  primate sanctuary · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A primate conservation project protecting the rare Angolan colobus monkey; tours explain the 'colobridges' over Diani Beach Road.

• Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park

  marine park · 4.5 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate

  A pristine marine park around Wasini with coral reefs, dolphins and some of Kenya's best snorkelling and diving.

• Galu Beach

  resort beach · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  The quieter southern extension of Diani with wide empty sand and boutique resorts — a kitesurfing hotspot.

• Kongo Mosque

  historic mosque · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A centuries-old coral-stone mosque at the mouth of the Mwachema River — one of the south coast's oldest surviving buildings.

• Wasini Island

  island · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate

  A car-free coral island off the far south coast — dhow trips, a coral garden boardwalk and fresh-seafood lunches.

Things to do

• Kisite-Mpunguti Dolphin & Snorkelling Dhow Safari Water Sports · 8 h · from KES 8,000 per person
• Diani Kitesurfing Lesson Water Sports · 3 h · from KES 6,000 per person
• Shimba Hills & Sheldrick Falls Day Trip Nature · 6 h · from KES 7,000 per person
• Diani Scuba Diving (Two-Tank Dive) Diving · 4 h · from KES 9,000 per person
• Colobus Conservation Tour Wildlife · 1.5 h · from KES 1,000 per person

Day trips and tours

• Wasini Island & Kisite Dolphin Dhow Safari 9 h · from KES 8,000

Where to stay in Diani Beach

• Diani Beach Central

  The heart of the beach strip with resorts, dive centres, bars and restaurants.

• Galu Beach

  Quieter southern end of Diani with boutique resorts and wide empty sand.

Hotels

• Leopard Beach Resort & Spa 5-star · KES 18,000 to KES 34,000 per night
• Diani Reef Beach Resort & Spa 5-star · KES 20,000 to KES 38,000 per night
• Stilts Diani Beach 2-star · KES 3,500 to KES 6,000 per night
• Baobab Beach Resort & Spa 4-star · KES 14,000 to KES 24,000 per night
• Diani Backpackers 2-star · KES 1,500 to KES 5,000 per night

Where to eat

• Ali Barbour's Cave Restaurant Seafood, International · about KES 4,500 per person
• Nomad Beach Bar & Restaurant Seafood, Italian · about KES 2,500 per person
• Sails Beach Bar & Restaurant Seafood, International · about KES 2,500 per person
• Leonardo's Restaurant Italian, Pizza · about KES 2,000 per person
• Lymingtons International, European · about KES 2,200 per person

Getting to Diani Beach

Airport: Ukunda (UKA)

How visitors arrive in Diani Beach

• Fly to Mombasa, then road south By air from Mombasa · common

  International visitors usually fly into Mombasa and continue south by hotel transfer or taxi, crossing the Likoni ferry. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Domestic flight from Nairobi to Ukunda By air from Nairobi · common

  Low-cost carriers link Nairobi with the small Ukunda airstrip close to Diani. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Matatu or bus via Likoni ferry and Ukunda By road from Mombasa · possible

  Public transport goes from Mombasa over the Likoni ferry to Ukunda, then on to Diani; buses from Tanzania also reach Mombasa. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Hotel minibus from Ukunda airport

  Package guests are usually collected by hotel minibus; ask your hotel to arrange a pick-up. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Taxi from Ukunda airport

  Taxis are available for independent arrivals at Ukunda airport. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Taxi from Mombasa airport via Likoni unconfirmed

  From Mombasa's airport, taxis or hotel vans head south across the Likoni ferry to Diani. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Check with your hotel or airline for Ukunda airport transfers before you travel; the source gives little detail. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Motorbike Rental
• Taxi main way to get around

  Regular taxis operate in Diani, and the fare should be agreed with the driver before the ride starts.

• Tuktuk useful for some trips

  Tuk-tuks in Diani suit short to medium trips; agree the fare before you start.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Overpriced tuk-tuk & boda fares

  Diani Beach Road

  Drivers quote tourists inflated fares, especially at night or from resorts.

  How to avoid it: Ask your hotel the fair fare and agree it before you get in; have small change ready.

Best time to visit Diani Beach

• Jan 32°C
• Feb 33°C
• Mar 32°C
• Apr 30°C
• May 29°C
• Jun 28°C
• Jul 27°C
• Aug 28°C
• Sep 29°C
• Oct 30°C
• Nov 30°C
• Dec 31°C

More in Kenya

• Nairobi
• Maasai Mara
• Mombasa
• Amboseli
• Malindi
• Nakuru

Frequently asked questions about Diani Beach

What are the top-rated places to visit in Diani Beach?

The highest-rated places in our Diani Beach guide are Diani Beach, Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park, Colobus Conservation, Shimba Hills National Reserve.

Where should I stay in Diani Beach?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Diani Beach: Diani Beach Central, Galu Beach.

How do I get around Diani Beach?

Ways to get around Diani Beach covered in our guide: Motorbike rental, Taxi, Tuk-tuk, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Diani Beach?

Scams reported to us for Diani Beach include Overpriced tuk-tuk & boda fares. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Diani Beach?

Average daytime highs in Diani Beach run from 27°C in Jul to 33°C in Feb.

Which airport is nearest to Diani Beach?

The nearest airport to Diani Beach has the code UKA.