Best Things to do in Diani Beach
Best Things to do in Diani Beach : Diani Beach has been awarded the best beach destination in Africa for 5 years running and this is because of its silky white sands, warm turquoise waters and palm-lined streets.
Diani Beach is loved by many visitors and this is partly because of the several activities you can do during your Diani Beach holiday and they are as listed and explained below.
VISIT THE BEACH ITSELF
Diani Beach is attraction in its own right with a number of adventurous activities to offer from sky diving to sea diving, deep sea fishing to kite and wind surfing. Diani Beach has all the fun and adventurous activities which a few destinations in Africa can match.
Beside a magical beachfront, Diani’s ocean line stretches to Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park which is endowed with a rich aqua life including dolphins which accompany you for a swim as they showcase their moves as though in a bid to seduce you.
EXPLORE THE KONGO MOSQUE
The Kongo Mosque is an ancient structure rich in history and is now a tourist attraction, the mosque borrows its name from surrounding forest and it is previously known as Diani Persian Mosque, a name coined by the Arab Merchants who occupied the area.
Today, the Kongo Mosque is more than a worship centre.
VISIT THE SHIMONI SLAVE CAVES
Shimoni Slaves Caves are a fascinating attraction at Diani Beach named after a Swahili Word “Shimoni” which means “the place of the cave”.
The Shimoni Slave Caves are found in the village of Shimoni in Kwale County, these rugged caves are the embodiment of the infamous slave trade in East Africa. The caves cover over 5 kilometers inland and have a complex tunnels that have been used for different functions and different times.
The age of the caves is evident with the huge stalactites and stalagmites inside that complete the horror feel, the history of the caves revolves a lot around these caves. Before the slave trade era, people used the caves for spiritual rituals or as hiding places whenever there was a war.
DISCOVER KAYA KINONDO FOREST
Kaya Kinondo Forest is one of the oldest forests on the south Cost of Kenya, the forests comprises of 187 plant species, 48 species of birds and 45 species of butterfly representing 5% of Kenya’s known butterfly species. There are primates in the forest and these include the rare Zanj Elephants Shrew and threatened Colobus Monkey, among others.
Having a tour in the Kaya Kinondo Forest will offer you enlightenment on the cultural and spiritual importance of the forest to the Digi people who residents to the Diani Beach area.
GO DEEP SEA FISHING
Diani Beach lies not far from the Pemba Chanel, one of the best fishing spots in the world and home to Striped, Black and Blue Marlin, Sailfish, Boradbill, Mako, Tiger and other sharks, Wahoo, Yellowfin, Tuna, Dorado, Giant Trevally among others.
Having a trip to the Pemba channel will offer you an opportunity to appreciate the magic of big game fishing.
WORK WITH THE COLOBUS TRUST
The Colobus Trust is a non-profit organization wholly dedicated to the conservation of the Colobus Monkeys, specifically Colobus angolensis which is found in Diani and has been classified endangered species whose population has been drastically reduced by human encroachment, road kills and snares.
As a visit to Diani Beach, you can help the Trust by joining as an Eco-Volunteer for 3-4 weeks for a volunteering holiday.
VISIT DIANI ART GALLERY
The Diani Art Gallery is the only gallery located at Kenya’s Coast that offers a wide variety of fine African Art, the diverse selection of painted works, sculptures and photography hails from well–known artists as well as up-and-coming creatives from Kenya and other countries in Africa.
During your visit to the Diani Art Gallery, keep an eye open for their art classes, wine and cheese evenings, special promotions and other events.
VISIT CHALE ISLAND WITH A BIKE
Chale Island is the only private resort island in Kenya and is one of the fascinating islands to visit during your Diani Beach Holiday, to get to Chale Island you can use a rented bicycle at the Baharini Shopping Center or rent the big Four – wheel dune buggies (Quad bikes) for a more thrilling ride.
DEEP SEA DIVING
The Indian Ocean Waters around Diani Beach are usually warm and clear and therefore are perfect for diving with great visibility, there are several diving spots along the coast and several companies offering diving sessions to visitors every day on an affordable fee.
The Indian Ocean has clear waters, colorful reef and vibrant aquatic life which make Diani Beach a must-visit destination for all divers.
ADRENALINE PACKED ACTIVITIES
For adrenaline junkies, Diani Beach offers a feeling of elation after you have jumped into a deep canyon or plunged into icy cold water. Whether you are a fun of sky diving, paragliding, jet skiing, kitesurfing or windsurfing, Diani beach features some of the most popular adrenaline-filled activities in the world.
WHALESHARK SAFARIS
Diani Beach is a perfect destination for whale shark safaris, Whale sharks are the largest fish in the world measuring upto 18 meters and tipping the scales at 20 tons, the whale shark is a protected species that currently thrives on the warm waters off Diani Beach where the East African Whale Shark Trust (EAWST) is involved in projects to create awareness, tag and monitor the whale shark population.
As a visitor you can sign up as a volunteer and get involved firsthand in the conservancy efforts.
