Special interest holidays:

Diani is about 20 kms away. It is a major tourist centre where one can make arrangements for fishing trips, diving, or game-viewing. Shimba Hills National Reserve is about 40 minutes from Diani. Tsavo National Park is three to four hours by road. The Mara can be reached by airplane from the Ukunda/Diani airport.

We will be happy to supply any further information and recommend local operators.

Kisite Marine Park is about 20kms further south of Msambweni. Captain Ali can arrange trips there as well.

Coast/Beach:

The beach is blessed by two kms of fine white sand. High tide brings the sea within 10 metres of the garden; low tide exposes the teeming rock pools.

One meets few others on the beach: a few fishermen and the occasional tourist. The Turtle Watch supervisor, Captain Ali, can take visitors out in his 'ngalawa' (local fishing boat) for snorkelling trips to the reef. He can also escort visitors to watch seasonal turtle hatching.

Travel:

Overseas visitors usually come to Mombasa airport. The drive to Chale Reefs is about 1 1/2 hours across the Likoni ferrry and South to Msambweni.

There are flights from Nairobi to Ukunda/Diani which avoids Mombasa and is a much shorter transfer. The drive to Msambweni is almost all on tarmac, with just the last couple of kilometers on a dirt road. Precise directions will of course be given to visitors. Alternatively we can supply contact details for trusted taxis that we use.

Distances:

Mombasa 45 kms

Diani 22 kms

Further Details:

In Diani the major banks have ATM machines. In addition to all the facilities usually found in a small town, there are plenty of restaurants, travel operators and curio shops.