Diani Reef Beach Resort and Spa is one of the larger resorts on Diani Beach and is a five-star property. It sits on the white sand that gives the coast its reputation, with gardens, pools and a long beach frontage. The resort style is full service: you can book a room, add meals and spend your days between beach, pool, spa and a programme of activities, or use it as a platform for the excursions on this page, including Kisite marine park, Shimba Hills, Kaya Kinondo and the Kongo River. It suits couples, families and groups who want comfort and choice in one place.
Rooms and suites are arranged in wings and garden blocks, typically with air conditioning, terraces or balconies and varied views of the gardens, pools or sea. Category differences matter on a large resort, so compare room types and ask about locations within the grounds, particularly if you want a quiet corner or easy beach access. Dining generally includes a main restaurant, specialty outlets and bars on the beach and by the pool, and meal plans range from breakfast to all-inclusive. Dietary requirements should be raised before arrival.
Facilities usually include pools, a spa, a fitness area, watersports centre and activity programmes for adults and children. The beach follows the tides: swimming is best at high water, while at low tide the sandbars and rock pools are for walking. The resort desk can arrange boat trips, Wasini and Kisite excursions, safaris, bike or village tours and canoe trips, so you can build your week around them. Beach vendors and activity operators work the public sand, and a polite no is perfectly acceptable.
Getting there
Many guests fly into Moi International Airport and transfer by road, via the Likoni ferry or the bypass, which may take around two hours or more depending on traffic. Others use the Ukunda airstrip with domestic flights. Plan your transfer in advance. Check seasonal variations in rates, as the busy periods around the holidays are more expensive, and ask about any renovation or facilities closed in quieter months.
If you want to compare several Diani resorts, look at location along the beach, room standard, meal plans and activity options rather than headline star ratings alone.
On a large resort it pays to plan: book specialty restaurants and spa treatments at the start of your stay, decide which excursions you want and book them early, and ask the guest relations desk about any quiet hours or adult-only areas. Pack sun protection, light clothes, water shoes and insect repellent, and consider a small waterproof bag for boat days. Evenings can be breezy, so a light layer is useful.
Why stay here
- ✓Beachfront on Diani Beach
- ✓Swimming pools
- ✓Spa and wellness services
- ✓Several restaurants and bars
- ✓Watersports centre
- ✓Children and family activities
- ✓Excursion desk for Wasini and safaris
- ✓Gardens and sea views
Good questions
Is it right on the beach?+
Yes, it is a beachfront resort on Diani Beach. Room location within the grounds affects how far you walk to the sand.
How long does the transfer from Mombasa take?+
Often around two hours or more from Moi International Airport, depending on the route, the ferry or bypass and traffic.
Can the resort arrange excursions?+
Typically yes, including Wasini and Kisite, Shimba Hills and other tours. Compare prices with independent operators.
