12 Things to Do in Diani Beach: Kenya’s White Sand Coast

Diani stretches along the south coast of Kenya just below Mombasa, a long sweep of white sand and clear turquoise water. It has been named one of the best beaches in Africa, and I found out why over a week there. Here is everything I did and loved.

Walk the Beach End to End

Diani beach is roughly ten kilometres of sand, backed by palm trees and pines. I walked a good stretch of it barefoot every morning, past beach bars, turtle nests and fishermen bringing in their boats. The tide moves a lot, so the beach changes through the day. Walking it at low tide, when the wet sand gets firm and the coral pools appear, is my favourite memory.

Snorkel the Coral Gardens at the Reef

Just offshore, the fringing coral reef keeps the water calm and full of life. I took a short boat out and snorkeled among butterfly fish, parrot fish and the occasional turtle. The coral is better preserved here than many parts of the coast, and even the faintest swimmer can manage it in the flat conditions.

Dive the Sinking Wrecks Offshore

For certified divers, the deeper reef and a few artificial wrecks add another layer. I did a couple of dives and saw rays, octopus and big schools of fish. The local dive shops are professional and careful. If you dive only one place in East Africa, this is an easy pick for its variety and calm conditions.

See Wild Green Monkeys and the Colobus Forest

Just inland, the Colobus Conservation area protects a fragment of the coastal forest and its troop of the beautiful black and white colobus monkeys. I walked a short forest trail and sat quietly watching them leap through the canopy, tails streaming. Volunteer guides explain the conservation work. It is a wonderful, low-key wildlife stop behind the beach.

Try a Kitesurfing Taster

The breeze on the reef side of Diani is reliable in the dry season, which makes it one of Africa’s best kitesurfing spots. I took a taster lesson and managed to stay upright for a few shaky seconds, which felt like a huge win. Trusted schools line the beach, and the shallow flat water is ideal for learning.

Go Out in a Traditional Dhow

At sunset, the local sailing boats called dhows take small groups out over the reef. I went on one and sat on the wooden deck watching the sun turn the sea gold. Some trips include a swim stop or a barbecue on the sand. It is the most romantic and relaxing thing in Diani, and it is surprisingly soothing after a day in the sun.

Eat Fresh Seafood From the Beach Grills

The beach grills and the local restaurants cook reef fish, prawns and lobster over coals. I had grilled fish with coconut rice and the fresh coastal swahili spices at a casual place and it was outstanding. Eating with your toes in the sand at sunset is the Diani ritual, and it does not get old.

Explore the Swahili Old Town of Mombasa

You are a short drive from Mombasa, and the old town there is a maze of carvings, spice shops and ancient doors. I drove up for a morning and walked the maze around the old dhow harbor and the Spanish influenced old fort. It is a world away from Diani’s chill, and it gives the coast its history.

Visit the Shimba Hills Rainforest Reserve

Inland from Diani, the Shimba Hills rise green and humid, home to elephants, sable antelope and a huge fig tree you can stand inside. I took a half day drive up for a guided walk and the temperature dropped in a way that felt like another country. The waterfall there is beautiful after the rains.

See the Turtles at the Sea Turtle Sanctuary

Near the Colobus conservation area, a turtle sanctuary on the beach rescues and releases affected sea turtles. I walked the small facility and learned about how the community protects nesting grounds. During the season a hatchling release is a genuine once in a lifetime moment if you catch the timing.

Relax With a Beachfront Massage

After days of diving and walking, I booked a massage right on the sand under a palm umbrella. It sounds clichéd until you actually do it. The sound of the surf, the warm air and a professional therapist left me completely loose. It is the perfectly sensible way to spend one afternoon doing nothing at all.

Plan Your Season and Tide Times

The dry season from December to March and July to October is best for diving and sunshine. I visited in December and had calm clear water and long warm days. Kitesurfers prefer the stronger winds of the June to August window. Time your swimming around the tide for the calmest conditions, and remember the water is warm nearly all year.

Diani is the easiest place in Kenya to do absolutely nothing in the best possible company. Walk the sand, snorkel the reef, go up the hill for a change of air, and eat an unforgettable grilled fish with your feet in the sea. Then do it all again the next day, because you will want to.