GOOD FOR:
An East African experience close to nature with reliable winds across two seasons and super-warm water
“Diani beach is an African gem of a spot that should be on any kiteboarder’s hit list. Ideal for learners and freeriders inside the reef with fun wave riding and kickers further out.” - James Boulding / Cabrinha
THE LURE
Diani is a friendly small tropical beach town that's easily accessible and safe, yet adventurous and exotic. Full of wildlife and nature with an immense, beautiful beach where the ocean is warm and welcoming year-round. All the amenities and conveniences of Europe yet in the easy – going ‘hakuna matata” African way. Ideal for all ages, families and single travellers, couples and groups.
James Boulding enjoying the warm-water foiling escapades Photo: Quest / Cabrinha
THE SET-UP
Roughly 900 metres offshore from Diani Beach is a reef. This, in combination with reliable trade winds makes for Kenya’s most popular kiting location. The spacious five kilometre-wide bay, however, rarely gets more than 60 kiters out on the water at any one time. The tidal lagoon sits downwind of the reef, where the water is flat and perfect for learning, free-riding and foiling, while those looking to hit the waves need only ride out to the reef.
Lessons take place upwind of the centre in a sandy bottomed area close to the shoreline with knee- to waist-deep water.
For intermediate and advanced kiteboarders keen to explore the area, Quest Kiteboarding organise downwinders along the reef. With more than 17 kilometres of fringing reef that hugs the coastline there are a wide variety of amazing conditions to be found, including flat water sand bars, perfect little kicker sections and down-the-line wave riding.
For the ultimate flat-water playground, Quest kiteboarding run customised day trips to Funzi Island and sand bar. Located less than an hour’s drive south of Diani, this spot is a gigantic sand bar that appears on the low tide and is nestled into a mangrove archipelago, connected by an intricate system of waterways and channels.
Another spot for beginners is in front of the Kenyaways kite school which is nice and protected with a wide, open launch area and plenty of space. Advanced riders will love exploring the bay and seeking out surf on the reef and there’s a huge area of water to cover (foils at the ready!). It’s rideable all along along this stretch of coast (an area called Galu) and you might even find yourself sharing the spot with dolphins, whale-sharks and turtles!
Early morning calm / PHOTO: Kenyaways
Hot action Boris board grab / PHOTO: Kenyaways
Have you kited many places like this before? / PHOTO: Kenyaways
WIND, WEATHER & WATER
From December to March the prevailing wind is N/NE and arrives as a cross or cross-onshore trade wind from the left. During the summer period the ‘Kaskazi’ wind will average 18 – 22 knots alongside a 30ºC / 86ºF daytime air temperature.
Due to Kenya’s equatorial position the coast retains a tropical climate year round. You could be out on anything from eight up to 14 metre kites on the lighter days when you can score some awesome light wind freestyle sessions at low tide.
The summer wind and ground swell out on the reef is always smaller between December and March, and generally starts building in May. Although it is rarely cold, long sleeve shirts and trousers are a must to shield you from mosquitoes in the evening.
The Kenyan summer is a fantastic time to learn to kitesurf and also the best period in the year for beginner to intermediate wave riding enthusiasts to explore the waves.
From May to the end of September the prevailing wind direction is S/SE; cross-shore / cross-onshore from the right. Technically the ‘winter’ months, you can still expect a daily 18 – 25 knot ‘Kouzi’ trade wind – which usually pretty strong and quite punchy.
The mean air temperature rests around 27ºC / 80ºF in the day and around 24ºC / 75ºF in the evening. The winter also delivers the best swell on the reef with kilometres of amazing, empty breaks to surf. Learning, freeriding and foiling conditions are also extremely good up until the end of September with constant winds starting at 10:30am every day.
March to May there is a chance of wind, however the annual rains kick in from mid-April and last roughly a month before subsiding. From late September until early December the wind is at its lightest and the chances of kitesurfing are slim. The water is also generally calm, so ideal for deep sea fishing, snorkelling, stand-up paddle boarding and diving.
PHOTO: James Boulding
PHOTO: Francesca Guiotto
SCHOOLS
QUEST KITEBOARDING offer beginner IKO courses, refresher sessions and private hourly 1:1 coaching all year. Beginner and intermediate foil lessons are available and all lessons have safety boats at hand. There’s also a full Cabrinha rental selection.
Languages: English, Kiswahili, Italian, French, Polish and German.
www.questkiteboarding.com
info@questkiteboarding.com
H20 EXTREME is a professional IKO kitesurfing centre for guests of Kenyaways Kite Village. All levels are catered for with one instructor per two students and gear is available for rent.Private lessons are also available as is gear rental on Zian equipment. There’s safety cover on the spot and Kenyaways have beach helpers to assist you in rigging up, launching and landing and board and kite repair is carried out on site. Downwinders and ‘surfaris’ to nearby islands are all available.
The school’s open 11 months a year and closed in May.
Languages: English and German
www.thekenyaway.com
bookings@thekenyaway.com
TRAVEL AGENTS
KITEWORLDWIDE specialize in delivering extraordinary kitesurf holidays to exotic destinations while avoiding the tourist traps.
www.kiteworldwide.com
info@kiteworldwide.com
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
www.planetkitesurfholidays.com
info@planettravelholidays.com
Sportif Kitesurf Holidays provide kitesurfing and multi sport holidays to the very best destinations worldwide. Sportif centres have the latest equipment and highly qualified, experienced staff. Whatever your level, you'll find a range of flexible rental or instruction packages, with a choice of accommodation from budget to luxury 5* hotels, right next to the centres. Contact a Sportif Travel specialist consultant to put together a package that's just right for you.
www.sportif.travel
info@sportif.travel
ACCOMMODATION
Diani accommodation options range from 3-5* all-inclusive or boutique hotels and private villas to private houses and hostels.
Quest Kiteboarding partner with the Diani Sea Lodge and offer package deals inclusive of accommodation and kitesurfing lessons / rental. Quest also manage several private villas close to the spot which come fully staffed.
Relax by the pool
Stylish lodging options at Kenyaways Photo: Rosalia Filippetti / Kenyaways
KENYAWAYS have ten super-stylish B&B rooms which are either poolside or overlooking the beach and gardens. Breakfast is included each day at the adjoining restaurant and lunch and dinner are available. They also have a self-contained apartment with its own kitchenette for longer stays.
www.thekenyaway.com
bookings@thekenyaway.com
TRAVEL AGENTS
KITEWORLDWIDE specialize in delivering extraordinary kitesurf holidays to exotic destinations while avoiding the tourist traps.
www.kiteworldwide.com
info@kiteworldwide.com
Planet Kitesurf Holidays specialise in luxury tailor‐made kitesurf holidays worldwide. Through its team of highly experienced kitesurf travel professionals, the company offers expert impartial advice, backed up by full ATOL and TTA financial protection. Planet Kitesurf belongs to the Planet Travel group, a market leader in active holidays since 2000.
www.planetkitesurfholidays.com
info@planettravelholidays.com
Sportif Kitesurf Holidays provide kitesurfing and multi sport holidays to the very best destinations worldwide. Sportif centres have the latest equipment and highly qualified, experienced staff. Whatever your level, you'll find a range of flexible rental or instruction packages, with a choice of accommodation from budget to luxury 5* hotels, right next to the centres. Contact a Sportif Travel specialist consultant to put together a package that's just right for you.
www.sportif.travel
info@sportif.travel
NO WIND ACTIVITIES
Diani Beach is a really relaxed spot where you’ll be surrounded by wildlife. You’ll often see camels wandering around the beach and monkeys may well steal your breakfast if you aren’t paying attention!White sands, turquoise waters, great scuba-diving (especially in November to March when whale sharks migrate up the East African coast) and deep sea fishing.
Many of the more energetic kitesurfers also combine their trip with a hike up Kilimanjaro, or Mount Kenya.Kenya is one of the world’s best places to go on safari and Tsavo East – one of the country’s largest wildlife reserve is nearby. You stand a good chance of seeing the ‘Big Five’ and the crew at Kenyaways can organise that for you during your stay.
Jump in a plane for an hour and you'll reach the Masai Mara game reserve. Closer to Diani take a day trip to Kisite marine park or Wasini island in Shimoni to see dolphins and turtles. Visit the Shimba Hills rainforest for elephants and more. Local museums provide a great history, old town Mombasa is really interesting and, if you're feeling more adventurous, why not take a microlite flight?
You can go SUPing, kayaking or snorkelling in the bath-temperature waters surrounding Diani, or just hang out at the beach. There are cafes and restaurants near the beach (where most people tend to stay) and the town of Diani is just ten minutes away by taxi or tuk-tuk. You’ll find bars, shops, banks and nightclubs there and it’s lively at night, but stay alert in some areas and establishments. Also, be wary of prostitutes fishing for your business and some of the beach boys are less trustworthy than others.
GET AROUND
You can buy your visa on arrival. A single-entry visa costs USD$50 and a multiple entry visa USD$100 (for if you plan on visiting Tanzania or the Serengeti for example, and will re-enter Kenya again).
Galu beach is roughly five kilometres from Diani centre where you'll find all you need. Car hire isn't necessary and is usually very expensive, unless it's a saloon. Road signs and rules of the road are also tricky for the first timer. It's easy to get around Diani with just one straight road serviced by cheap, frequent public buses. Many hire cheap motorbikes or get motorbike taxis. Your hotel will usually provide a transfer from the airport. One word of note: be aware of the beach boys trying to sell you anything from disastrous day trips, rip-off key rings and marajuana (it's illegal here, and if you must try to buy from someone trustworthy!). Also, be aware of the prostitutes in the local clubs - and that you may not actually be the 'true love they say they've been waiting for'!
CURRENCY
Kenya Shilling (KES) - US$ / Euro accepted. £1- KES128 / $1- KES99 / €1 - KES111
FOOD AND DRINK
Galu has one small supermarket. There are three bigger ones in Diani. Galu has six decent restaurants with several more good ones in Diani serving all types of cuisine, especially European and African and the seafood is fresh off the local boats each day. You'll find beach bars in Galu and Diani, but look out for The Forty Thieves bar in Diani which is one of those dream watering holes right on the beach. In general this is a much quieter spot than Nyali.
AIRPORTS
Mombasa Moi International (MBA/HKMO) is 35 kilometres / two hours driving time.
Alternatively fly into Nairobi (NBO or WIL) for a safari and then transfer one hour internal flight to Mombasa (the drive is 500 kilometres / eight hours). Diani Ukunda airport (UKU is just six kilometres away / 15 minutes. Tanzania (TGT) is 160 kilometres / three hours away.
Kenyaways offer transfers with kite gear from Mombasa and from Diani airports. There are always taxis with have fixed maximum rates in Mombasa.
