My experience at The Sands at Chale Island near Diani Beach. You can download my complete list of BEACH PACKING LIST.
About The Sands at Chale Island
The Sands at Chale Island was the final destination on our two-week adventure in Kenya. The Sands is self-described as a contemporary mix of Swahili structures, Italian stucco, Lamu furniture, objects of African art and varnished mahogany. On arriving, we were welcomed with a glass of juice and introduced to our stay. We were ushered to the restaurant for lunch and I’m glad they did because we were starving. Make sure you have full board accommodation since you’ll probably arrive here from the mainland hungry after the long bumpy road.
You can also watch this on my YouTube Channel.
Location
About a 45-minute drive from the Ukunda, Diani airstrip.
How to get to The Sands at Chale Island
Getting to the resort depends on the tide: you’ll take a boat during high tide and during low tide, the resort brings you with a tractor.
The vibe at The Sands at Chalehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHfkiUBl5k0&t=1s Island
Get ready for a sense of romance and relaxation.
How would I describe the Sands at Chale Island?
It’s pure bliss and tranquil with a feeling of seclusion. The resort is elegant and blends well into the natural environment at the Island.
People I would like to recognize
- The manager, Andrea.
- Morris (chef).
- Mzee.
- Ali and the lovely front desk lady for checking us in.
Why I love The Sands at Chale Island
- Great view of the island from the Penthouse.
- I think it’s a paradise gem for nature and lovers of white sand.
- The hot tub/Jacuzzi on top of the penthouse is just the cherry on the cake.
- Great location for disconnecting and enjoying quiet time.
- I love that guests don’t have to worry about loud nightlife music, just the sound of the sea and the crashing waves.
- The staff is great! They would say “Hi” to you whenever you walked by.
Our room: The penthouse
Set well above the swaying treetops, these suites offer breathtaking views of both ocean and island.
Featuring a separate sitting room, a veranda with a stunning 270-degree view of the ocean and an upstairs with a Jacuzzi on the roof facing the sunset, the penthouse suites give the ultimate all round island view.
We learned later that if you’re staying at a penthouse, you get to have dinner on the beach stargazing and the view is unbelievable.
Activities to do at The Sands at Chale Island
Are you like me and want to be on the go and have hard time sitting still? Here are some suggested activities for you.
You can dive for crab or choose from a wide range of watersports. We chose to try our hand at waterboarding. Excursions are reasonably priced. Just book at the front desk or dive center. Please note that excursions offered at the beach are not authorized by The Sands at Chale Island management.
- Stand up waterboarding.
- Chasing light at the comfort of your room and watching the sun go down from your Jacuzzi upstairs.
- Massage.
- Go on a nature walk and explore the island while the tidies low.
- Wake up early and watching the sunrise.
- Not a morning person? How about watching the sunset at the beach?
If you favor relaxation and curling up with your favorite book, no worries. You can lounge by the pool and enjoy the sound of rolling waves as background music. We found the pool by the cliff to be the coolest. Not to mention, the bar is right next to it.
Food & Drinks
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are buffets. I appreciated that the hotel offered lots of local food options. I had ugali, spinach and beef stew. Plus, delicious tropical fruits, mangoes, coconut and the yummy papayas were my favorite. You can also order drinks during the day at the different bars.
Massage
The Maisha Poa Wellness Center is the place for your massage. Here we were pampered and re-energized. “Maisha poa” means good life in Swahili.
Fitness
Are you looking to work out on your vacation? The Sands at Chale Island offers a fitness room located next to the spa overlooking the saltwater pool.
Where to buy gifts
Two boutique shops on site offer a wide variety of souvenirs, an art collection, jewelry and African made crafts. Located by the beach area is a local wood carver who upon request can craft customized carvings to order. We bought several gifts for our friends and family and the prices were fair.
Below is a sunrise picture from our balcony bed overlooking the Ocean
Below is a sunset picture from our room.
Sunset and sunrise are the best activities while at the coast
What would I do differently on my next trip?
- I would stay here 4-5 days. We stayed two nights and it was not enough. We wished we had two more days to explore this slice of paradise.
- I would like to go on a sunset trip at the bay.
- I’m interested in going on a boat ride through the mangroves on the island.
- Schedule my massage appointment right when we arrive, the slot fills up quickly.
- Walk around the island as there is more to see.
Would I go back?
Absolutely, yes and I highly recommend this place to other world travelers looking to visit magical Kenya. Clean sandy beaches, a breathtaking island and clear turquoise waters, what else can one ask for?
Why I recommend The Sands at Chale Island
The Sands at Chale Island is your destination if you seek a hidden paradise in magical Kenya. It’s ideal for travelers looking for a place to disconnect, yet not compromise on experiencing white sand and clear blue water. Our friends however had an experience with the “beach boys,” as they are commonly referred to, who will solicit tourists. If you are not interested firmly say, “No thank you.”
Highlight
We were beyond impressed with the views. I also liked that they clear the seaweed every morning. Did you know Kenya’s beaches rank in the top ten worldwide? In the evening they play live music or have performances for the guests. Thank you to the team at The Sands at Chale Island for such a wonderful holiday! Have you stayed at this resort or Diani beach? Feel free to share your experience and happy travels #travelwithirine
Full disclosure: This post was NOT sponsored neither have I received any financial compensation in any way.
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