Travel advisory · KenyaSome governments advise against travel to parts of Kenya.The warnings cover only these areas: Border with Ethiopia, Border with South Sudan, Coastal areas north of Malindi, Garissa county, Lamu county, Lamu county excluding Lamu Island and Manda Island, Mandera county, Tana River county (except Tsavo National Park), Wajir county, Baringo county, Coast between Tana River and Galana River, Coastal areas of Tana River county, Eastleigh (Nairobi), Kibera (Nairobi), Mathare (Nairobi), Northern Tana River county, Pangani (Nairobi), Turkana county, West Pokot county.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Border with Ethiopia · avoid all travel · Spain, France, New Zealand
- Border with South Sudan · avoid all travel · Spain, France, New Zealand
- Coastal areas north of Malindi · avoid all travel · Canada, France, New Zealand, US
- Garissa county · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, Italy, New Zealand, US
- Lamu county · avoid all travel · Spain, New Zealand, US
- Lamu county excluding Lamu Island and Manda Island · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, France, UK
- Mandera county · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, Italy, New Zealand, UK, US
- Tana River county (except Tsavo National Park) · avoid all travel · Italy, US
- Wajir county · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, Italy, New Zealand, US
- Baringo county · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, Italy
- Coast between Tana River and Galana River · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, UK
- Coastal areas of Tana River county · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, New Zealand
- Eastleigh (Nairobi) · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France, Italy, New Zealand, US
- Kibera (Nairobi) · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, Spain, France, New Zealand, US
- Mathare (Nairobi) · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France
- Northern Tana River county · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, UK
- Pangani (Nairobi) · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
- Turkana county · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, Spain
- West Pokot county · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, Italy, US
Also named by one government: Areas bordering Somalia (New Zealand), Garissa county excluding Garissa Town, Lagdera and parts of Balambala (UK), Kilifi county north of highway C103 (US), Maritime zone up to 72E and 15S (France), Marsabit county within 110 km of South Sudan and Ethiopia borders (Canada), Marsabit county within 50 km of Ethiopia border (US), Somalia border strip up to 100 km inside Kenya (France), Tarbaj and Wajir East constituencies (UK), Turkana county within 110 km of South Sudan and Ethiopia borders (Canada), Turkana county within 50 km of Ethiopia border (US), Wajir county within 60 km of Somalia border (UK), Western Turkana county (US), Arid and remote regions of northern Kenya (Italy), Baringo sub-counties Mukutani, Muchongoi, Bartabwa, Tiaty East and Tiaty West (Spain), Elgeyo Marakwet county (Italy), Elgeyo Marakwet sub-counties Marakwet East and Marakwet West (Spain), Garissa Town (UK), Laikipia county (Italy), Laikipia sub-counties Olmoran, Ng'arua and Mukogodo (Spain), Lamu Island (Germany), Manda Island (Germany), Marsabit county (Spain), Mombasa (Italy), Outlying areas of Isiolo county (France), Outlying areas of Turkana county (France), Outlying areas of West Pokot county (France), Outlying regions of Marsabit county (France), Overland routes between Lamu and Malindi (Italy), Samburu county areas of Loroki and Kirisia (Spain), Turkana sub-counties Turkana South, Turkana East and Loima (Spain), West of Garissa county (France), West of Mandera county (France), West of Wajir county (France), West Pokot sub-counties Pokot North and Sigor (Spain), Within 75 km of Kenya-Somalia border (Ireland)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Reconsider travel | Oct 19, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Increased caution nationwide; partial travel warnings for specific areas (regional advisories) | Oct 19, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Ireland (Department of Foreign Affairs) | High Degree of Caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Vigilance renforcée (reste du territoire) (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Diani Beach
A beach town on Kenya's south coast, with white sand, calm water behind a coral reef and boat trips to the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park.
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Diani Beach is a long stretch of white sand on Kenya's south coast, in Kwale County, south of Mombasa along the Indian Ocean. Visitors usually fly into Moi International Airport in Mombasa and continue by road. A coral reef runs offshore and breaks the waves, so much of the water near the beach stays calm enough for swimming. Development follows the main beach road, where hotels, villas and small shops sit spaced apart.
The area suits beach holidays, families and couples who want time in the sea and by the pool. Boat trips leave for the Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park, a protected marine area where dolphins and reef fish are often seen. The coast is hot and humid for most of the year, with heavier rain during the long rains from about April to June. If you can, plan around the drier months and book a boat trip ahead of time.
Diani Beach in five
- Read the UK advice before you book the coastThe UK advises against travel to parts of the northern coast, not the south, but it warns of a heightened terrorism threat that includes beaches and hotels, and of crime near the Likoni Ferry.UK travel advice
- Fly to Ukunda or take the train to MombasaKWS gives about 1 hour 10 minutes by air from Nairobi and about 9 hours by road. The alternative is the SGR train to Mombasa, then a road transfer south.Nairobi to Mombasa options
- Apply for the eTA before you book flightsWhether you land in Nairobi or Mombasa, you need an approved eTA before the journey unless exempt. The official site recommends applying at least 2 weeks ahead.Kenya eTA guide
- Book Kisite Mpunguti with a licensed operatorThe marine park lies 11 km off the coast at Shimoni. A boat day with snorkeling and dolphin viewing is the south coast's main outing; ask whether the park fee is included.Wasini Island guide
- Dress conservatively away from the resortsThe UK advice says the coast is mainly Muslim and asks you to dress conservatively away from tourist resorts and hotels. Keep swimwear for the beach and your hotel.
Need to know
- Airport
- Ukunda airstrip; Moi International in Mombasa is the main gateway
- Getting there
- Nairobi flight about 1 hr 10 min; about 9 hrs by road (KWS)
- Getting around
- Taxis and hotel transfers along the beach road; agree fares first
- Best base
- Central Diani for restaurants; north or south for quiet
- Time needed
- 4–7 days; add a day for Kisite Mpunguti
Weather by month
- Best
- JanuaryHot, dry
- FebruaryHot, dry
- MarchHot, humid
- AprilLong rains
- MayHeaviest rain
- JuneCooler, drying
- JulyCool, breezy
- AugustCool, breezy
- SeptemberDry, breezy
- OctoberWarm, dry
- NovemberShort rains
- DecemberHot, busy
Right now in Diani Beach
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
27
- Feels like
- 31°
- Humidity
- 81%
- Wind
- 11 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 97%
Diani Beach
11:06 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today30°24°97%Monday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Tue30°25°92%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Wed31°24°86%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 86%.
- Thu30°25°69%Thursday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Fri30°24°65%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 65%.
- Sat31°23°60%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 60%.
- Sun30°23°84%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 84%.
Updated 09:11 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 129.9 KES
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Kisite Mpunguti and Wasinia full day by road and boatSnorkeling, coral gardens and dolphin viewing in a marine park off Shimoni.Read the guide
- Shimba Hills National Reserve31 km by road to the main gateForest, viewpoints and sable antelope; KWS gives the distance from Diani.
- Mombasaa half day or more by roadFort Jesus and the Old Town, reached from the south coast by road.Read the guide
Before you go to Diani Beach
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Diani Beach, checked
- KWS lists USD 25 per adult and USD 15 per child for non-residents at marine protected areas, a group that includes Diani Chale, Kisite Mpunguti and Mombasa.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
- Kenya Wildlife Service parks, reserves and sanctuaries are single-use plastic free zones, so carry a reusable bottle on boat days.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
- Dress conservatively away from tourist resorts and hotels, since the coastal areas of Kenya are mainly Muslim.Checked Oct 6, 2026 · Source
Diani Beach FAQ
Is Diani Beach safe for tourists?
Most visitors stay in beach hotels and use arranged transport. The UK advice reports a heightened terrorism threat across Kenya that includes beaches and violent crime in cities, and its areas of advice on the coast lie in the north, not at Diani. Read it and ask your hotel for current local guidance.
How do I get from Nairobi to Diani Beach?
Fly to Ukunda, about 1 hour 10 minutes according to KWS, or fly or take the SGR train to Mombasa and transfer south by road. KWS gives about 9 hours for the whole trip by road from Nairobi.
How many days do you need in Diani Beach?
Four to five days covers beach time, a Kisite boat day and one inland outing. A week suits a slower beach holiday, and two weeks usually pairs the coast with a safari in Tsavo or the Maasai Mara.
Can you swim at Diani Beach at any time of day?
Check the tide table. On much of the Kenyan coast the water can retreat far from the sand at low tide, so plan swims around high tide and reef walks around low tide, and ask your hotel about local currents.
Is Diani Beach better than Mombasa for a holiday?
Diani suits beach days and a resort week. Mombasa suits history and a port-city stop. Many trips use both, with the train to Mombasa and a few nights on the beach.