Diani Beach, Beach resort in Kwale County, Kenya
Diani Beach is a long strip of white sand in Kwale County, Kenya, running along the Indian Ocean coast. The turquoise water shifts from shallow areas to deeper sections where coral reefs lie beneath the surface.
The coast was part of Swahili trading routes in the 16th century, when communities built mosques like the one standing at the northern end. Later the area became a fishing village before drawing travelers in the 1970s.
The name comes from a Swahili word referring to a peaceful coastal area, and today the shore is used for kitesurfing, diving, and long walks. Fishing harbors at the far ends show the close connection between the ocean and local life.
Ukunda Airport is nearby and connects the shore with Mombasa, while visitors can also arrive by Likoni Ferry and the coastal road. The best time for swimming and snorkeling is during the morning when the water is calmer.
Sandbars form near the shore and shift with the tides and currents. Groups of black and white colobus monkeys live in the coastal forest behind the sand and sometimes come down to the edge.
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