Diani Beach is a major beach
resort on
the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya (in eastern Africa). It is located
30 kilometres (19 mi) south of Mombasa, in the nearby Kwale
County.
The beach is about 10 kilometres
(6 mi) long, from the Kongo river to the north and Galu beach to the south
(the southern point of reference is an old Baobab tree). It is adjacent to the
town of Ukunda, the population of which nears 100,000 inhabitants. A small
airstrip is located between the beach area and the Mombasa-Lunga Lunga road.
The water remains shallow near shore, with some underwater sandbars near the surface which allow
wading with a clear view of the sandy bottom. Inland from the beach, there is
extensive vegetation (see photo at right), including numerous palm trees which cover the coastal
areas, unlike the dry acacia trees of the mountainous Kenyan Highlands.
The Mwachema River flows into the sea at Diani Beach.
The general area is known for its coral
reefs, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and for the closely located Shimba Hills National Reserve, a wildlife reserve which
looks out over the Indian Ocean. Diani Beach has restaurants, hotels,
supermarkets, and several shopping centres.
Diani Beach is also a popular kitesurfing location.
