Diani Beach and surroundings
White sand, turquoise water and a reef offshore: Diani is regularly named among the most beautiful beaches in Africa. The villa is at the quieter southern end, on Galu Beach.
The beach
From the villa it is around 650 metres, about six minutes on foot, to the Indian Ocean. Galu Beach is the quieter, southern part of Diani Beach. At low tide you can walk along the water for miles and explore the sandbank with a guide.
At the beach access you will find the Mvureni Fisherman Restaurant with fresh fish and a beach bar. Diani is on the east coast, so the sun rises over the sea here. Early risers are rewarded.
Impressions from the region
Water sports
The offshore reef keeps the lagoon calm. At the same time, Diani is one of the best-known kitesurfing spots in East Africa.
- Kitesurfing: several kite schools are within walking distance. The north wind blows from December to March, the stronger south wind during the European summer. A course costs about €100 to €300.
- Diving: dive centres on the beach offer day trips with two dives for about €100.
- Snorkelling and dhow trips: fishing or snorkelling trips by dhow from about KES 2,000 per person.
- Glass-bottom boat: about KES 1,500 per person.
- Jet ski: about KES 4,000 for 15 minutes.
Impressions from the region
Restaurants and bars
Kanu village, right outside the gate, has simple bars and Kenyan cooking. On the beach and along Diani Beach Road you will find everything from fish restaurants to pizzerias.
- Within walking distance: Mvureni Restaurant and Beach Bar, Soul Breeze, Sundowner, Salty Squid, Sails Beach Bar
- On Diani Beach Road: Havana, Apero, Kokos, Tiki Bar, plus Italian and Japanese cuisine
- Shopping: fruit, vegetables, meat and drinks in Kanu village. Supermarkets (Chandarana Food Plus, Carrefour, Naivas) are about ten minutes away by tuk-tuk.
Impressions from the region
Evenings out
Diani is not a party town, but there are enough places for a long evening. After dark it is best to go by tuk-tuk or taxi. You should not walk on the beach at night.
- Sundowner: a ten-minute walk along Diani Beach Road
- Beach bars: Mvureni right at the beach access, Soul Breeze around 1.1 kilometres to the south
- Around Chandarana: Apero, Havana and Kokos, about ten minutes by tuk-tuk
- Staying in: a barbecue evening by the pool, with a private cook if you like
Impressions from the region
Day trips
For days away from the beach, there is more to see around Diani than fits into one holiday.
- Kaya Kinondo: sacred forest of the Digo people, with guided walks
- Kongo River: boat trip at sunset with birdwatching, about KES 1,000–1,500 per person
- Wasini Island: day trip by dhow with snorkelling and often dolphins, about €60–100 per person
- Chale and Funzi Island: island trips into the mangroves and onto sandbanks
- Mombasa: Old Town and Fort Jesus, Haller Park
- For children: a water park right next door, the snake park in Ukunda
Impressions from the region
Safari
Diani is a good base for a safari. The Shimba Hills National Reserve lies just inland and works well as a day trip. Tsavo East, Tsavo West and Amboseli can be reached by road, the Masai Mara by light aircraft from Ukunda airstrip.
Safari operators have their offices close to the villa. I will gladly recommend a suitable partner.
Practical matters
Everything for day-to-day life is close by. The villa team can also take care of much of it for you.
- Supermarkets: Chandarana Food Plus (daily until 9 pm), Carrefour (open around the clock), Naivas in Ukunda
- Money: cash machines at Chandarana and Carrefour, where you can also change cash. Locally, people often pay with M-Pesa.
- Health: pharmacies in Kanu and at Chandarana, a doctor’s surgery and a private hospital in Diani
- Getting around: tuk-tuks wait in the village outside the gate. We are happy to arrange scooters, bicycles and hire cars.
- Wellbeing: massage at the villa or on the beach, laundry service in the house
Where the villa is
The villa is in the Coconut Grove I compound on Galu Beach, next to Kanu village, about 30 kilometres south of Mombasa.
Distances from the villa
| Destination | Distance |
|---|---|
| Kanu village (shops, bars, tuk-tuks) | 2 minutes on foot |
| Galu Beach and Mvureni Beach Bar | 650 m · 6 minutes on foot |
| Kite school at the beach access | 600 m · 6 minutes on foot |
| Sundowner bar | 1 km · 10 minutes on foot |
| Soul Breeze beach bar | 1.1 km · 12 minutes on foot |
| Chandarana Food Plus supermarket | 6 km · 7–10 minutes by tuk-tuk |
| Mombasa | around 30 km to the north |
How to find us
- Follow Diani Beach Road south to Kanu village, just before the water park.
- In Kanu village, turn right and go 50 metres to the gate of the “Coconut Grove I” compound.
- Inside the compound it is the fourth villa on the right, about 200 steps from the main gate.
- The bell is on the left of the villa gate.
All partner prices are approximate (as of November 2026) and may change.