With its gorgeous palm trees, powder-white sand, and glistening azure waters, Diani Beach is a popular resort area on Kenya’s magnificent Indian Ocean shoreline, about 30 kilometres south of Mombasa. Warm seas and exquisite coral reefs are the ideal environments for water-based activities including snorkeling, scuba diving, and boat safaris. Divers are likely to see turtles, mantas, barracuda and, if lucky, possibly even the elusive whale shark, the planet’s largest animal. Don’t miss the Colobus Conservation, a wonderful sanctuary for these fascinating endangered primates; the Shimba Hills National Reserve which offers an exceptional safari experience; and the nearby Kisite Marine National Park, known for its dolphin and turtle sightings. An array of excellent shops and alluring sea-facing restaurants completes the package of this destination.
White sands stretch along the Indian Ocean, where turquoise waters meet a shoreline shaped by tidal inlets and coral reefs in the small coastal village of Watamu, a small coastal village in north Mombasa located north of Mombasa, renowned for the Watamu Marine National Park. The park boasts three sparkling bays, white-sand beaches and an underwater coral wonderland offering one of the best snorkelling and diving experiences on the East African coast. This charming village is surrounded by an abundance of natural beauty; fringed by lush tropical rainforests and mangroves. Visitors flock here to spend lazy days on the beautiful Watamu and Turtle Bay beaches, explore the Gede Ruins, and fish in the mangrove-edged waterways of Mida Creek. Don't the miss the opportunity to visit the nearby Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve to spot monkeys, elephants and a variety of rare bird species.
Lamu Island lies off Kenya's northern coast in the Indian Ocean, forming part of the Lamu Archipelago near the border with Somalia. Known for its Swahili heritage and laid-back atmosphere, it is a historic island destination centred around Lamu Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Travellers come to wander through narrow, winding streets lined with intricately carved wooden doors, historic Swahili houses and centuries-old mosques, with donkeys and dhow boats still part of everyday life. Traditional sailing trips offer a chance to explore the surrounding waters, while nearby beaches provide opportunities for swimming and relaxation. The island's distinctive blend of African, Arab and Indian influences, preserved architecture and slow-paced coastal lifestyle give Lamu a character unlike many of Kenya's more developed beach destinations.
