| Kenya Beach Guide
Diani Beach, stretching 10 km along the south coast of Mombasa, is Kenya’s longest. Its chalk white soft sand rolled up by the sea was once coral, ground down and crumbled by the waves over the centuries.
But if tranquillity gets a little too intense the area has a range of water sports to choose from. Wind surfing, sailing, snorkelling or scuba diving. The possibilities are vast.
Mombasa, Kenya’s second largest city, is situated less than 30 km from Diani Beach. This 1,000- year-old coastal city has a history that dates back 2,000 years.
For centuries Mombasa has been an important port-of-call for trading caravans travelling from Asia and Europe. It was to here that the first Arab and Persian traders sailed over The Indian Ocean.
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. Malindi
Malindi lies 70 km north of Mombasa and is one of Kenya’s oldest coastal towns. It was Vasco da Gama’s first port-of-call in Africa when he arrived here in 1498.
The small coastal town has everything especially the younger traveller would want. Restaurants, clubs and hotels in all price classes, exciting markets and excellent beaches where coconut palms sway in the breeze.
Malindi is, in short, just the place for water sports enthusiasts. You can plunge underwater on an exciting voyage of discovery equipped with a snorkel. Try surfboarding with the wind at your back. Keep up with the boat at full speed on water skies. Enjoy an energetic game of squash or a turn on the old nine hole golf course.
Relaxing Watamu
This charming little coastal village lies about 25km south of Malindi. With a wide bay of long white sandy beaches, swaying coconut palms and gentle waves Watamu more than deserves its reputation as one of Kenya’s best seaside resorts.
The beach is surrounded by spectacular reefs, which protect it against the roaring sea, making the water safe and peaceful.
Watamu Marine National Park is a main attraction. Here over 600 fish species in a 32 sq. km protected area are on view. All you need is goggles and a snorkel. |
