Guide to Diani Beach

"Diani's dazzling sands are fringed with coconut palms and sheltered from the ocean's swell by the offshore coral reef. Sprinkled the length of the coastal road are a whole host of shops, bars and eateries. This is the Kenyan coast at its liveliest."

Diani Beach is home to some of the most eye-catching shores Kenya has to offer. If you've come away for a slice of peaceful sun, sea and sand, you're in the right place.

Here, you can sunbathe to your heart's desire, or explore the scenery for yourself. When the tide's out, pad 200 yards out to sea, where the coral reef tracks the coastline, stopping the breakers and turning them into gentle waves. Then head back to the shore for lunch, where beach bars serve the freshest catch of the day, grilled to perfection. And if you can't tear yourself away from the crystal clear waters, the watersports centre offers crash courses in windsurfing and snorkelling.

Beach aside, the coastal roads offer up an interesting look at Kenyan life as it is today. You'll find upmarket shops dotted around a modern commercial centre, with plenty of local crafts and souvenir shops thrown into the mix. Whether you're after an expensive gift at a bargain price or a wooden carving for the folks back home, you should find everything you need right here.

Along the ten mile 'strip', you'll find European and Asian restaurants offering a menu of tasty treats. And of course, there are plenty of places where you can tuck into plates of traditional Kenyan grub. As you walk past the eateries, you'll head all kinds of music blaring out from the various bars. Each with their own theme and style, you'll hear reggae, soul and Euro-pop blaring out of the sound systems.

Here and there, between the hotels, are green oases of coastal forest – home to various species of monkeys. But these are dwindling enclaves of the wild amid Kenya's most established resort area. Just 24 miles south of Mombassa, via the sometimes chaotic Likoni ferry, Diani is the choice of those who want all the mod cons with their holiday – fine facilities in the hotels, plenty of sports on land and sea, after dark entertainment, and resort attractions on tap. It's all here.

Diani is a relaxed resort, with the hotels set back from the beach and camouflaged by towering coconut palms. Built along a 16km stretch of coastal road, Diani Beach is one of Kenya's most popular resorts. Protected by an off shore reef, the fine white sands are lapped by the calmed Indian Ocean. This long stretch of sand merges with Tiwi and Galu beaches as well. Diani beach has a variety of shops and upmarket clothes and souvenir stores alongside more pragmatic ones like pharmacies and supermarkets. Small stalls sell crafts, or try your luck bargaining for carvings with eager beach traders. Nightlife is generally centred around the hotels and includes discos, live bands and traditional African shows, or dance to the African beats at one of Diani's nightspots.

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