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Kayakingin Diani
Single and double kayaks for paddling the Diani lagoon, timed around the tide. No certification or experience needed.
Kayaks are hired by the hour: $25 for a single and $30 for a double. There is no minimum age, and under-18s must be with an adult.
Written by The Scuba Duka team · Reviewed by Ali, founder and Divemaster Instructor · October 2026
Why the tide decides everything
Diani's lagoon sits behind a fringing reef, and the tidal range here is significant. At the right state of tide the water inside is flat, shallow and clear; at the wrong one you are either aground on seagrass or paddling against a current running out through the reef gaps.
So kayaking is scheduled around the tide rather than the clock. We will tell you which hours work on your dates, and if a morning is not right we will say so.
What you will see
Seagrass meadows with rays and juvenile fish moving over them, the reef edge where the water changes colour, and — if you are quiet and lucky — a turtle surfacing near the boat. Clear shallow water over pale sand does something to the light that photographs never quite capture.
Seagrass is habitat, not empty ground. Paddles stay off the bottom.
Who it suits
—Non-divers in a diving group who want their own time on the water
—Divers on a no-fly or surface-interval day
—Families with children too young to dive
—Anybody who would rather look at the reef than swim over it
Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience?
No. Sheltered lagoon water at the right tide is about as forgiving as paddling gets, and you get a short briefing before you go.
Can children come?
Yes, with an adult and a buoyancy aid. Tell us ages when you enquire.
How long is a session?
Long enough to reach the reef edge and back comfortably within the tidal window. Confirmed with your booking.
Can I snorkel from the kayak?
Sometimes, depending on the site and conditions. Ask when you book rather than deciding on the water.
Who you will dive with
Eight people work at the centre, five of them born and raised in Diani Beach. The four instructors, Ali, Kassim, Salim and Omari, have more than 13,000 logged dives between them on this stretch of the Indian Ocean. Two qualified dive guides, Sampuli and Michael, lead dives alongside them. Captain Raymond, a very reliable skipper, captains the boats on dive trips, and when two boats go out, Ali takes the second.
Ali
Founder · Divemaster Instructor25+ years diving in Kenya and abroad. Born and raised in Diani Beach. Captains the second boat when two go out.
Kassim
Scuba Instructor17+ years and 8,000+ logged dives, from Diani to Kisite Mpunguti. SSI and PADI certified.
Salim Swaleh
Scuba Instructor4,000+ logged dives on Diani sites. Teaches SSI beginner to specialty courses.
Omari
Scuba InstructorSSI and PADI Open Water Instructor, 1,000+ logged dives. Shoots underwater photo and video.
Sampuli
Dive GuideBorn and raised in Diani Beach. 100+ logged dives. Guides guest divers and runs equipment checks.
Michael
Dive Guide20+ years scuba diving. Holds a captain’s licence, but on dive trips he guides the divers.
Raymond
Boat Captain18+ years captaining boats on the East African coast. Coxswain certified by the Kenya Maritime Authority. Captains the boats on every dive trip.
