Kenya
WATAMU BEACH
Snorkelling and diving on the coral reef, paddling a canoe along the mangrove-fringed Mida Creek and visiting the nearby medieval Swahili ruins of Gedi are just some of the highlights of a beachfront stay at Watamu. Just offshore, the Watamu Marine National Park is home to over 150 different corals and around 600 fish species, including migratory whale sharks and manta rays. Take a boat trip to the reef or try your hand at paddle-boarding or kitesurfing.
BEACH RETREAT: The five-star Hemingways Watamu (hemingways-collection.com/watamu) offers bright, airy rooms, all with private balconies looking out onto the Indian Ocean. Luxurious private residences, with one, two or four bedrooms, are also available.
CHALE ISLAND
Lying just 600m off the mainland, 10km south of Diani, Chale Island is one of the quietest spots on the Kenyan coast. A popular choice for those seeking privacy and total relaxation, the island has a mystical, tidal saltwater lake surrounded by a mangrove forest teeming with birds. Explore the island on foot or by kayak and admire its fringing coral reef on a snorkelling or diving trip. Turtles nest on the island and there are frequent whale
