Water babies unite! The coast of East Africa is home to some of the most beautiful beaches and opportunities for water-based activities (and by that, we mean sun-bathing too).
Deep-sea fishing is done on a catch-and-release basis in East Africa and the Seychelles. You’ll head out to sea in a boat brisling with rods before throwing a line out and waiting for that tug… If you’re new to the sport, guides are on hand to talk you through how to reel in a big one. Denis Island is part of the Seychelles archipelago and is an exclusive retreat from the world, with just eight cottages. This coral island is renowned for its game-fishing opportunities due to its location on the continental shelf drop-off.
Bubbling along underwater isn’t just for fish — anyone can join the fun. Whether you’re an experienced and certified diver or a newbie looking to try out scuba diving, you’ll find plenty of great dive shops on the Kenyan coast, the Seychelles islands and Zanzibar. Most lodges and hotels have their own dive shops or will recommend their preferred ones in the area. The reefs vary around the islands and if you are a keen diver we recommend you do your own research to ensure you have the best time. If you have specific dive sites you’ve researched and want to stay at in that area, we will tailor your itinerary to suit this.
If you’re a keen diver we highly recommend Mnemba island off the coast of Zanzibar for the best diving. Located in a protected reserve you can dive not only from the island but also go further afield with the on-site dive school. The Four Seasons hotel on the exclusive Desroches island in the Seychelles is our other recommendation for divers. The island is home to a number of world renowned dives sites with a coral fringed drop off into the deep blue playing host to all manner of fish.
High adrenaline meets powerful winds around Diani and Watamu. These locations have a reputation for great kite surfing and people come from all over the world to enjoy it. There are various schools where you can learn and potentially rent gear if you haven’t bought your own along.
A gentle flap of the sail heralds your captain adjusting the direction of your dhow to line up perfectly with the sunset. Sipping on a cold drink with a snack in hand, this takes sundowners to the next level. Dhow sailing is an age-old tradition in Lamu and Zanzibar with these beautiful vessels making their way up and down the coast following the trade winds. Dhows are still an integral part of daily life, and are used for fishing or transporting goods and people along the coast. A private villa in Shela Village on Lamu island will afford you the perfect opportunity for a dhow excursion.
