Summary
Diani Beach is a world famous kitespot in Kenya. It offers consistent and very stable wind during the season. The water is flat and crystal clear. You will have to bring some bigger kites as well.
The Destination
The Experience
Join us in Diani Beach - Kenya, East Africa for an unforgettable African bush to beach kitesurfing holiday experience.
Kite School Experience
Our guests have the option to learn to kitesurf at our tropical paradise spot or take refresher or private 1:1 sessions if they already have some previous experience.
Available are kitesurfing discovery sessions, private 1:1 coaching without distraction and full IKO beginner courses that comprise of 3 to 4 days.
The Kite School equipment is regularly changed every season ensuring our students are always learning on the latest Cabrinha Kites and Boards.
For 2019, lessons are primarily conducted on our Cabrinha Moto’s.
The Cabrinha Moto recently won this year’s Ultimate Test Guide by The Kite Mag and was crowned 2019’s best all round freeride kite in the category.
Whilst learning with us, all the necessary safety apparel and equipment is provided and insured.
Additionally, we supply student Lycra- rash vests for the duration of the course, water refreshment, sun screen and after session towels to dry off with.
Our team of passionate local and international kitesurfing instructors offer professional tuition in a variety of different languages throughout the seasons.
We also offer beginner and advanced foil lessons for those looking to expand their skills on the water or learn a light wind discipline.
For independent riders, we offer a full equipment rental and beach assistance service with all the latest 2019 Cabrinha Kites equipment.
Guests travelling with their own kit will find our centre facilities include private beach lockers available for storage. In addition, we offer a private lawn for set up and pack down, chill zone with free Wi-Fi, sun loungers for friends and family along with toilet and changing room.
The hotel beach bar offers drinks, snacks and a beach menu for lunch. Guests not staying at the hotel, buy who are registered in with the water sports centre are able to take advantage of our partnership and still enjoy the hotel facilities.
On the Spot Accommodation
The kite school is located on the lawns of a 4* family friendly all-inclusive resort that offers bare foot luxury accommodation in the heart of Diani Beach. Set in an expansive tropical garden, the compound is shaded by coconut palms and a myriad of exotic trees and flowers. Animal life abounds inside the hotel and a variety of different monkeys can be spotted daily, including the protected black and white Colobus monkey. Guests get the opportunity to immerse themselves in the tropical serenity of the Lodge, explore all the different flora and fauna, chat with the local Maasai on the beach or simply chill out on the lawns with a book or go for a swim in the calm warm Indian Ocean. Due to its location being central Diani Beach, residents at the Lodge have the added bonus of being able to reach all the main bars, restaurants and shopping centres by foot along the beach or on the beach road in practically no time at all.
Local Excursions & Trips
Other Diani highlights include cultural trips to the local Maasai village, traditional sail boat cruises up Tiwi creek, trips to one of Africa's oldest Mosques near the river mouth as well as 'Bush Baby' feeding in the evenings and the Colobus Conservation Trust set up to preserve Diani's marine and forest wildlife.
For visitors in love with the ocean, both glass bottom boat snorkelling trips to the Diani reef and sandbars are on offer, as are dolphin spotting day trips to the beautiful Wasini Marine National Park where you are guaranteed to spot an abundance of marine life and coral whilst bathing in the tepid, clear Indian Ocean. During the right time of year, Whale Shark or 'Papa Shilingi' as they are called in East Africa, frequent the Kenyan coastline as they migrate seasonally. Several Dive Shops offer Whale Shark spotting expeditions, or if you're really lucky, you might catch sight of one out near the reef whilst kitesurfing.
Daily excursions are available to the Shimba Hills National Park, conveniently located less than an hour's drive from Diani beach. Here visitors have a chance to game view, hike down to Sheldrick Falls and enjoy true African sunsets along the ridge, all in a day before heading back to Diani for the evening.
Nightlife
Diani beach offers a lively night life scene, with several reputable bars and clubs scattered along the main beach road. Notorious for its chilled ambience and welcoming hospitality, guests are sure to make plenty on new friends and get fully immersed in the tropical, coastal beach vibes.
Safari
The 'Big 5' game viewing safari trips available here are some of the best in the world. Both Tsavo East and West can be easily reached in a 4 hours drive from Diani and offer spectacular views of the savanna and its wildlife with an assortment of luxury and affordable accommodation that range from tented camps to eco-lodges.
Amboseli and the Maasai Mara are unforgettable once in a life time experiences. Considered a natural wonder of the world for its wildlife, migratory patterns and unique natural heritage, these dramatic landscapes define Kenya as the worlds leading Safari destination.
Based in Kenya all year round, our team has established solid partnerships with other reputable, professional Companies, Lodges and Tour Operators to ensure that every clients experience is made special and is in line with our own high standards of excellence whether it be on or off the water.
Getting there & Moving Around
The closest International Airport is located in Mombasa. To arrive in Diani by taxi, the trip will take around 1.5 hours, depending upon the traffic and the schedule of the Likoni Ferry crossing. It is necessary to cross the Likoni Channel when coming from Mombasa, in order to reach the south coast. Diani Beach has just recently expanded its local Airstrip, and hosts daily flights from Nairobi as well as a few other internal locations around Kenya. Arriving in central Diani beach, the Ukunda Airstrip is close to the main beach road and affords a quick and stress free option for arriving to the south coast. During the high seasons, several airlines provide direct flight paths to either Nairobi or Mombasa, including TUI who offer extremely competitive rates departing from Brussels in Belgium. Additionally Turkish Airlines, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and British Airways all supply various routes.
Moving around Diani is simple, cheap and relatively stress free, apart from the bartering of price which is a norm and expected with the locals, but ultimately ends up being all part of the fun and ambience of Kenya. Tourists will find local public transport along the beach road all day and pretty much most of the night too. On offer are traditional taxis, local 'Mutatu' mini bus, motorbike, 3 wheeler and even Uber if you are lucky. As the coastline in Diani stays straight for almost 30 km's, its easy to stroll from one location to another via the white sandy beach, enjoying the surroundings and ocean as you pass.
Kitesurfing Day Trips, Downwinders & Safari
Besides lessons and coaching, we specialise in Diani downwinders, kitesurfing day trip to other exotic spots on the south coast as well as guided 'kite surfari' expeditions to some of the more remote and exclusive locations along the Kenyan Coastline.
Whether it be a local 12 km downwinder back to our base along the reef and sandbars, a day trip to other 'secret spots' dotted around the south coast exploring the range of different environments and conditions available or a full blown guided 'kite surfari' experience that takes you to some of the more 'off grid' spots that we love, everything is covered!
Our Team Guides, including our Centre Manager, are all residents living in Kenya who know the coastline intimately and are able to ensure our guests are provided with all the information they may require in order to enjoy the best time to come for kitesurfing, local conditions and locations including 'secret spots' along the coast.
The Team
Our Head of Water Sports Training and Centre Manager is both a native to Africa and a professionally qualified IKO kitesurfing instructor since 2005. Born and raised in Africa, Jamie has had the opportunity to teach kitesurfing and travel in many different locations around the world before certifying as a Level 3 Senior Instructor and setting up his own centre of excellence in Diani beach, Kenya in 2014.
Together with Francesca, co-owner and wife, the kite school is staffed with 3 full time local Kenyans who's role vary from Kite Instructor to beach assistant and rental supervision.
During the high seasons, our team is expanded with 3 - 4 external foreign instructors joining us who offer kitesurfing lessons in a variety of languages including English, Italian, Polish, Spanish and German.
Utilising years of teaching and riding experience, both here in Kenya and abroad, our team provides professional fun tuition helpful advice and a quality of service that only dedication, motivation and expertise can guarantee.
Accommodation
Your Host: Jamie
Jamie is your host for this experience and will provide you with all the information needed.