South of Mombasa Travel Guide

There are three white coral sand beaches south of Mombasa. If you’re traveling in the high season, it’s smart to make advanced bookings. High season is January, April through the beginning of July, then August through the beginning of September, and December. Take a Nissan going to Likoni ferry from the post office to go anywhere south of Mombasa. If you just want to relax on the beach for the day, then return to Mombasa, most people at the resorts will allow you to cross through the resort to the beach.

Shelly Beach:

Shelly Beach is the closest beach to Mombasa. You can walk to the beach from the Likoni ferry in about 30 minutes, or hitch a ride short ride from a matatu.

The ACK Guest House (#(011)451619) close to the Likoni ferry is the only cheap place to stay on Shelly Beach . It is far from the beach, however, and beds are KSh 350. The Shelly Beach Hotel (#(011)451001), about 3 km from the ferry, offers average resort facilities. Singles/Doubles are KSh 1400/2000 with half-board.

Tiwi Beach:

The next beach south of Shelly is Tiwi Beach.

Tiwi is the least developed of the beaches near Mombasa, therefore is the best bet for budget travelers. To get to Tiwi, take a matatu from the Likoni ferry. The tout will let you out at the gravel access road, about 3 km from the beach.the charge is slightly less than a dollar(Kshs 50). It is not recommended to walk all the way. Wait for a lift or call the destination place. Most will bewilling to pickyou free of charge. Be careful about walking this if you’re alone, it’s notorious for muggings. For camping ideal place try Twiga lodge though very basic charge about Kshs 500 per person per night (#(0127)51267). Set up camp in the shade right on the sand  There’s also a restaurant and a bar.

Further down is Maweni cottages  (+254-720-998-258) with self catering cottages. Quite nice with good interiors and overlooking the sea. rates range from Kshs 4125 for a two bed cottage. Next is capricho beach cottages (+254-40-3300012) have 10 cottages with self catering facilities. Cottages set up in an african village style. They also have a swimming pool.

Moonlight bay (+254-0722-328-365)beach cottages have a bar and restaurant. Rates range from Kshs 3,500 for a one bedroomed unit. Bar and restaurant serves all the other cottages around . Quite well recommended.Situated right on the beach.

 Also nearby is Baracuda Divers, where you can organize snorkeling or diving expeditions.

Diani Beach:

Diani, south of Tiwi, is perhaps the most developed beach in all of Kenya. Most resorts cater to tourists with package deals, and very few independent travelers can afford the resort prices. There are many matatus and buses that run every 15 minutes from Likoni ferry to Diani Beach.

The only cheap place to stay is Dan Trench’s, behind the Trade Winds Hotel. Camping is KSh 150 per person, rooms are KSh 250 per person, and apartments with kitchens are KSh 600. There are a few mid-range places also, mostly south of developed tarmac. Diani Beachalets (#(0127)2180), Le Paradis Cottages, and the Vulcano Restaurant are all together on the dirt road south of the paved beach road. Diani Beachalets offers rooms for KSh 400 to 1000 depending on the season. Four Twenty South (#(0127)2065) lies near where the dirt road begins and offers cottages with two beds for around KSh 1200. For more information about Diani Beach, go to http://www.diani.info