Diani Beach in Kenya

Hi all,

Considering going to Kenya later in the year on Safari/Beach holiday and
wondered if anyone has any experiences, either good or bad, about the
diving in this area..

I understand there is a marine park in the area - is it worth diving?
Are there any areas worth avoiding?

Thanks for any tips/advice.


--
wilbo

Cheers,

Wilbo.
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Hi

There is a reef off the beach that is OK to snorkel, but the better diving
is in the marine park - the locals tend to dynamite fish, and this isn't
good for the coral. There was quite a lot of life though. The marine park is
good - I dived with a pod of wild dolphins, and the life in the park was
really good. The road there is a bit rough, but it's well worth going. The
main operator uses a Dhow, and there's a great restaurant you can end up at.

Diani itself is OK - but a lot of hassle from Beach vendors. Take a trip
into the local parks - I hired a jeep and had a great day driving around the
small park just inland from Diani.

Have fun!


"wilbo" <wilbo.1a3hay@forums.deeperblue.net> wrote in message
news:wilbo.1a3hay@forums.deeperblue.net...
>
> Hi all,
>
> Considering going to Kenya later in the year on Safari/Beach holiday and
> wondered if anyone has any experiences, either good or bad, about the
> diving in this area..
>
> I understand there is a marine park in the area - is it worth diving?
> Are there any areas worth avoiding?
>
> Thanks for any tips/advice.
>
>
> --
> wilbo
>
> Cheers,
>
> Wilbo.
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Posted via DeeperBlue.net - Your Online Resource for the UnderWater World.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> wilbo's Profile:
http://forums.deeperblue.net/member....nfo&userid=187
> View this thread on DeeperBlue.net:
http://forums.deeperblue.net/showthr...threadid=52197
>


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graham,

thanks for the tips!


--
wilbo

Cheers,

Wilbo.
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I can second what Graham has said. The marine park is wonderful - we were only snorkelling at that time, ironically it was that trip which finally convinced us to start diving! Dolphins are pretty much guaranteed.

The beach hawkers are a pain - be polite but firm. If possible, try my trick, which is to find a helpful local and learn the phrase "Go away please" in the local lingo - usually Swahili down there. It normally shocks them - even if they then try to start conversation you can just keep repeating "Go away!" - they get the message eventually.

Have you booked your safari in advance? If not - and only if you are the adventurous type - you can get some great local deals, but you have to be prepared to accept what you get. We were lucky, went to Hippo camp, but others were not so impressed. The plane ride to Masai Mara is a real eye-opener, but the safari is something not to be missed.

Enjoy,

Simon