Heritage site
Beach
Diani Beach
White sand, reefs and dhow trips on the south coast.
- South Coast
- Best: Aug–Oct, Dec–Mar
Overview
- Marine reserve
- Diani-Chale, gazetted 1995
- From Mombasa
- About 30 km
- Airstrip
- Ukunda
Diani is Kenya's best-known beach, a long stretch of white sand on the Indian Ocean in Kwale County, about 30 km south of Mombasa.
Offshore, the Diani-Chale National Reserve, gazetted in 1995, protects coral gardens, seagrass beds, mangroves and nesting grounds for endangered sea turtles. Dolphins are often seen.
Resorts, kite-surfing, diving and dhow trips to Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park and Wasini Island make Diani a classic end to a safari.
- Coral reefs
Snorkelling and diving in the marine reserve.
- Kite-surfing
Strong, steady winds much of the year.
- Kisite-Mpunguti dhow trip
Dolphins and reefs further south.
Things to do
- Snorkelling and diving
With licensed operators.
- Dhow excursionUS$10
Within marine protected areas, excluding entry.
- Kite-surfing
Schools along the beach.
Prices are the foreign non-resident rate per person. Resident and East African rates are lower; see the full table below.
Wildlife and nature to look for
When to go
Best December–March and July–October; long rains in April–June.
- Jan: Best
- Feb: Best
- Mar: Best
- Apr: Wetter
- May: Wetter
- Jun: Wetter
- Jul: Good
- Aug: Best
- Sep: Best
- Oct: Best
- Nov: Good
- Dec: Best
Fees and permits
Official rates from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS Conservation Fees 2025 (Legal Notice 160 of 2025)). Children, vehicle and accommodation rates are in the full tariff.
| Item | Foreign non-resident | Foreign resident | Rest of Africa | East African citizen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marine reserve entry (adult)per person, valid 24 hoursChildren 5–17: KES 250 / KES 350 / US$15 / US$10 (citizen / resident / non-resident / African citizen). | US$25 | KES 675 | US$15 | KES 500 |
| Dhow excursionper person, within marine protected areas | US$10 | KES 1,000 | US$10 | KES 1,000 |
- Marine reserve entry (adult)per person, valid 24 hours
- Foreign non-resident
- US$25
- Foreign resident
- KES 675
- Rest of Africa
- US$15
- East African citizen
- KES 500
Children 5–17: KES 250 / KES 350 / US$15 / US$10 (citizen / resident / non-resident / African citizen).
- Dhow excursionper person, within marine protected areas
- Foreign non-resident
- US$10
- Foreign resident
- KES 1,000
- Rest of Africa
- US$10
- East African citizen
- KES 1,000
- The beach itself is free; marine entry applies when you go out to the reserve or marine parks.
- Fees are paid cashless through KWSPay on eCitizen. Children are aged 5–17.
- The Kenya Tourism Federation challenged these rates in the High Court in October 2025; KWS republished the same rates in 2026. Confirm the amount when you pay.
Getting there
- By roadFrom MombasaAbout 1–2 hours
Via the Likoni ferry or the Dongo Kundu bypass.
- By airFrom NairobiAbout 1 hour 10 minutes
Flights to Ukunda airstrip.
Open larger map Directions Marker shows an approximate location.
Photos
Know before you go
- Swim where lifeguards or hotels advise; tides and currents vary.
- Use licensed boat operators with life jackets.
Frequently asked questions
Is Diani Beach free?
Yes. Marine-reserve fees apply only to trips into the protected areas.
Sources
Checked on 23 October 2026. Fees and rules change; confirm with the authority or your operator before you pay.
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Places to pair with Diani Beach
Heritage site
National park
Marine park