What is referred to as the South Coast is the southern half of Kenya’s east coast, linked to Mombasa Island by the Likoni car and passenger ferry. The beaches, joined by a coastal road, are Shelly, Pungu, Sand Island, Tiwi, Diani, Galu, Kinondo, Msambweni and Shimoni. The main islands are Chale, Funzi and Wasini. Ukunda Airport, near Diani Beach, has daily scheduled flights to destinations in Kenya. Moi International Airport is located on Mombasa Island. The area has traditionally been inhabited by the Wakamba, Digo and Duruma people.
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What is referred to as the South Coast is the southern half of Kenya’s east coast, linked to Mombasa Island by the Likoni car and passenger ferry. The beaches, joined by a coastal road, are Shelly, Pungu, Sand Island, Tiwi, Diani, Galu, Kinondo, Msambweni and Shimoni. The main islands are Chale, Funzi and Wasini. Ukunda Airport, near Diani Beach, has daily scheduled flights to destinations in Kenya. Moi International Airport is located on Mombasa Island. The area has traditionally been inhabited by the Wakamba, Digo and Duruma people.
Diani Beach is the longest and liveliest of the beaches. It offers a plethora of water sports including kite surfing, windsurfing, scuba diving, snorkelling and jet skiing. Golf courses, spas, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, tour operators and shops are all found here. The Colobus Trust, based in Diani, protects the rare colobus monkey; tours of the research station reveal the monkey in its natural habitat.
Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park covers a marine area with four small islands surrounded by coral reef. The islands have dense coastal equatorial forests; sea grass and marine algae cover the reef. Attractions include dolphins and coral gardens. More than 250 fish species have been recorded. Snorkelling, scuba diving, bird watching and camping are all on offer. The marine park headquarters, at which park fees should be paid, is situated on the mainland, at Shimoni.
Shimoni, meaning the place of the caves in Swahili, is a coastal fishing village south of Diani. The caves are believed to have been holding pens for slaves prior to their transportation to Zanzibar. Now a community owned project, the caves provide an income for the local people. From Shimoni, boat trips go to Wasini Island and Kisite Mpunguti Marine Park, both famed for snorkelling.
The Shimba Hills National Reserve has one of the largest coastal forests in East Africa, after Arabuko Sokoke Forest, near Watamu. Park gates are at Main Gate, Kivumoni, Kidongo and Shimba. There are four campsites, including one at the lovely Sheldrick Falls. The reserve is rich in flora and fauna, and is home to the highest density of elephant in Kenya. Other species of interest include the rare Sable antelope, leopard, genet cat, greater galago, elephant shrew, bushy tailed mongoose and fruit bat. 111 bird species have been recorded, including 22 which are coastal endemic such as African hawk-eagle, greater honeyguide, crowned hornbill and uluguru violet-backed sunbird. Activities include game viewing, bird watching, camping and trekking.
Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary was established in 1995. A community owned project, it covers an ancient elephant migration route between the Shimba Hills and Mwaluganje Forest. The sanctuary is also known for its rare cycad forest.
Chale Island, Funzi Island and Wasini Island are all little-developed, rustic islands, with mangroves, dolphins and crocodiles. The Wasini Women’s self-help group manages the boardwalk. Boat trips and water sports can be arranged.
