The coastline south of Mombasa is a tropical paradise of palm fringed white sand beaches, where the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean meet beautiful coral reefs. The protective reefs have created ideal beaches with calm, inviting waters.
Days are filled with sunshine and nights are balmy and warm with gentle sea breezes. The offshore reefs are alive with coral, myriad fish, sea turtles and dolphins.
Both outer and inner reef walls offer world class diving with spectacular coral gardens and drop offs. At Kisite-Mpunguti, a Marine Reserve has been established around beautiful Wasini Island, an ideal day trip for divers and snorkellers.
The beaches are bordered by lush green coastal rainforests with prolific birdlife and variety of wildlife including baboons, rare colobus monkeys and even leopard.
A wide range of World Class resorts, centred around Diani Beach allow visitors to relax and enjoy this natural paradise with the best standards of accommodation, service and cuisine.
The south coast also has many smaller quiet getaways such as Tiwi Beach, ideal for travellers looking for a low key break. Inland, the fertile hinterland of Kwale District consists of small villages inhabited by the Wakamba, Digo and Duruma tribes.
Further south, the small fishing village of Shimoni is home to a series of deep mysterious coastal caves that stretch from the sea to deep into the jungles.
Historically, these caves were long used as a refuge for Dhow Sailors, Arab slavers and explorers. Shimoni is also an excellent base for big game fishing in the waters of the Pemba Channel.
Whether you are looking for a base to actively explore this fascinating region, or just somewhere to unwind and find peace, Kenya’s south coast has everything you could wish for.
Although all the beaches, which lie to the south of Mombasa form part of the “south coast”, the phrase always conjures up Diani Beach, about 40 km from Mombasa where the majority of the hotel and resort development is centered. The exceptions are Likoni, better known as Shelley Beach, just across from the Mombasa island ferry, Galu and Msambweni not far south of Diani, Tiwi and Shimoni close to the Tanzania border. A good paved highway serves the whole of the south coast, and there is a tarmac airstrip at Ukunda serving the Diani resort area. Diani Beach is 10 kilometers long, a vast uninterrupted stretch of white sand lapped by an opal ocean joining up with Tiwi Beach. Many of the hotels along this beach nestle in cleared beachfront areas of the Jadini forest – still the haunt of leopard and monkeys as well as a brilliance of forest birds. In addition to the hotels, there are private houses, some available for renting, and several self-catering “villages”. Most marine activities are available which include windsurfing, water skiing, scuba, snorkeling and deep-sea fishing.
Many hotels have their own marine sports centers but there are also independent ones to supply the needs of the more experienced marine addicts. Fishing (all along the Kenya coast) is year round except for May and June and perhaps July. The bill fish season is roughly November to April. The main center for serious deep sea fishing is Shimoni, 106 kilometers from Mombasa quite close to the border.
Major Attractions/Things to do:
Swimming with Whale Sharks
The whale shark, the world’s largest fish, is an elusive, highly migratory oceanic fish that occasionally ventures to a handful of coastlines, swimming with one is truly a memorable experience.
Diving in Kenya
Kenya is becoming increasingly popular as a dive destination. Kenya has another great wilderness area hid beneath the surface of the Indian Ocean, a wilderness just as rich, diverse and ripe for exploration as any of our game parks.
Kitesurf in Kenya
Perfect wind conditions, beautiful tropical beaches and ready access to Kenya’s world famous game parks make this the most exciting new destination for ocean borne adventure.
Mombasa Marine National Park
The marine park is located in Mombasa town along the Kenyan coast. The park comprises of the sea waters, mangroves, sea grasses, and sea weeds. The park is home to variety of marine life e.g. Crabs, Sea urchins, Sea cucumbers, Sea Stars/Starfish, Sea Jellies. Other spectacular attractions include the sand beach and coral gardens. The park is a popular snorkeling and diving location.
