Overview

Diamonds Malindi Resort is a beachfront all-inclusive resort located in Malindi, on Kenya's North Coast, positioned directly on the Indian Ocean shoreline. The property combines beach resort amenities with safari accessibility, making it suitable for travelers seeking both coastal relaxation and wildlife experiences. Known for: all-inclusive packages, direct beach access, proximity to marine protected areas, and cultural heritage sites. Best for: families with mixed interests in beach and safari activities, couples seeking romantic coastal settings, and travelers wanting to combine water sports with terrestrial wildlife viewing.

Location & Geographic Position

Located in Malindi town on the North Coast of Kenya, the resort sits on Casuarina Road with direct access to the Indian Ocean. The property is approximately 120 kilometers northeast of Mombasa International Airport (2-hour drive), 500 kilometers from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi (6-hour drive or 1-hour flight), and within 30 kilometers of Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park & Reserve. The coastal position provides access to the Malindi Marine Park, established in 1968, and historic sites including the Malindi pillar and Portuguese Church ruins dating to the 16th century.

Accommodation & Rooms

The resort offers multiple room categories designed for different traveler preferences and group sizes. Accommodation features contemporary design with coastal aesthetics, incorporating whitewashed walls, natural materials, and sea-facing orientations. Room amenities typically include en-suite bathrooms with hot water systems, air conditioning, mosquito nets, safes, and private balconies or terraces with ocean or garden views. Superior rooms provide standard configurations suitable for couples, while suite options accommodate families with separate living areas and multiple bedrooms. All rooms feature 24-hour room service access and housekeeping included in all-inclusive packages.

Dining & Cuisine

The all-inclusive package includes meals at multiple on-property dining venues serving international and Kenyan cuisine. Main restaurant facilities offer buffet-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner with à la carte options for specialty requests. Cuisine emphasizes fresh seafood reflecting the coastal location, including grilled fish, prawns, and lobster prepared with East African spice profiles. Vegetarian and dietary-restricted options are available with advance notice. Bar service includes local and imported beverages, with premium spirits and wines available at additional cost depending on package tier. Beach barbecues and themed dining nights are regularly scheduled, and in-room dining is available for guests preferring private meals.

Beach & Water Activities

The property provides direct beach access with organized water sports and marine activities. Available activities include snorkeling, scuba diving certification courses, dhow sailing, windsurfing, and kayaking. The resort arranges excursions to Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park & Reserve, where travelers encounter Indo-Pacific marine species including reef fish, sea turtles, dolphins, and occasional whale sharks (seasonal). Snorkeling trips typically operate twice daily with professional guides, and boat transfers to dive sites depart from the resort's beach facility. Swimming areas are monitored for safety, with lifeguard presence during peak hours.

Wildlife & Terrestrial Experiences

While primarily a beach resort, Diamonds Malindi provides access to Kenya's North Coast ecosystems through organized day excursions. The nearby Malindi Marine Park contains coral reef systems supporting 600+ fish species and sea turtle nesting sites. Terrestrial wildlife experiences include visits to local community conservancies, bird watching in coastal forests (over 300 bird species recorded in Malindi region), and cultural interactions with Swahili and Bantu communities. The resort can arrange guided nature walks in Arabuko Sokoke Forest, located 45 kilometers south, where endemic species including the spotted ground thrush, Sokoke pipit, and African fish eagle are observed. Game drive safaris to larger reserves like Tsavo East Park (200km away, 4-hour drive) can be arranged as multi-day excursions.

Family Facilities & Services

The resort accommodates families with children through multiple amenities and activity options. Children's club programs are available seasonally, offering supervised activities, cultural workshops, and age-appropriate water sports instruction. Family rooms with multiple beds or connecting suites facilitate group travel. Babysitting services can be arranged with advance notice. The shallow beach areas near the resort provide safe swimming for young children, with lifeguard supervision. High chairs, cots, and children's meal options are available at dining facilities.

Best Time to Visit

Malindi's coastal climate features two main seasons: the dry season (June-September and January-February) offers optimal beach conditions with calm seas, clear water for snorkeling, and comfortable temperatures (22-28°C). The warm season (October-April) brings higher rainfall but remains suitable for beach activities, with increased marine life visibility including whale sharks (September-November). Diving conditions are generally excellent year-round due to the coral reef proximity. The period from July-September coincides with the Great Migration river crossings in nearby reserves, making this season ideal for combined beach-safari itineraries.

How to Get There

Malindi is accessible via multiple transport routes: flights arrive at Malindi International Airport (located 15km from town, 20-minute transfer), which receives charter flights from Nairobi and scheduled services from Mombasa. Mombasa International Airport (120km away, 2-hour drive) offers more frequent international connections. The resort is located on Casuarina Road in central Malindi, with road transfer from Mombasa taking approximately 2 hours via the A109 highway. Self-drive options are available for travelers with international driving permits. The resort provides airport transfer coordination as part of package bookings.

Conservation & Community Initiatives

The resort operates within the Malindi Marine Park framework, contributing to marine conservation through responsible snorkeling and diving practices. Partnership with local communities includes employment of guides, kitchen staff, and hospitality personnel from Malindi town, supporting local economic development. Cultural experiences are structured to provide fair compensation to Swahili and Bantu community members participating in cultural demonstrations and village visits. The property implements environmental management practices including waste reduction, water conservation in the arid coastal region, and support for sea turtle conservation programs operating in adjacent marine areas.

Practical Information

The resort maintains standard hotel services including front desk (24 hours), currency exchange, laundry service, internet connectivity (WiFi available in public areas and select rooms), and medical facilities with doctor on-call. Mobile network coverage from major Kenyan providers (Safaricom, Airtel, Vodafone) is reliable throughout the property. Travel insurance including medical evacuation coverage is recommended for all guests. Malaria prophylaxis is advised for coastal Kenya, and yellow fever vaccination is recommended for travelers arriving from endemic regions.

Safari Assistant

Find Your Perfect Safari

Safari Assistant

Find Your Perfect Safari