Kenya's coastline offers water sports lovers a place to shine
Tourists find paradise perfect for fitness, fun, marine life and delicious bites
In addition to sea turtles, the waters near Diani are abundant in marine life, such as butterfly fish, parrot fish, lionfish and scorpion fish. If lucky, one can also see giants such as whale sharks and humpback whales, he said.
Although for most people diving is easier to learn than kitesurfing, one should also be free from certain illnesses before they try it, according to Lanjoro.
"Diving is risky. First, you need to do it with the right people. Second, you need to be water-friendly. Third, you are usually offered a medical questionnaire form," he said. "For example, you cannot dive when you have active asthma, obesity, high blood pressure, or if you've had a heart attack."
Besides Diani, many other coastal areas offer excellent water sports activities. In Mombasa, the blue waters are ideal for windsurfing, water skiing, snorkeling and diving. The Mombasa Marine National Park and Reserve is home to a rich variety of marine species, such as corals, turtles, crabs, starfish, stonefish, sea cucumbers and sea urchins. Watamu Marine National Park and Reserve, in the town of Watamu, which is most famous for green turtles, also offers a range of marine and tidal habitats. Visitors can enjoy the white sandy beaches and engage in various activities such as snorkeling, water skiing, windsurfing and glass-bottomed boat tours.
In addition to exciting water-sports activities, Kenya's eastern coast is also a paradise for seafood lovers. One of the unique seafood restaurants is Ali Barbour's Cave located in an underground cave in Diani. The restaurant is surrounded by lush jungles and diners must traverse a narrow and winding road to find it.
The most special part about the restaurant is that it is built inside a naturally formed cave said to be more than 180,000 years old. After entering a gate, visitors must follow the stairs to descend a few meters. The restaurant has no roof — the top of the cave is open. According to the staff, the restaurant only opens in the evening because the sun gets too hot during the daytime. The opening of the cave is also installed with retractable awnings in case of rain.
The restaurant's signature dishes include oysters, lobster, fish, prawns and octopus, as well as the seafood platter for two people to share, which is the most popular among tourists. Enjoying dinner in a cave under the stars is an unforgettable experience for tourists in Diani.