Chale Island Resort

Chale Island sits off Kenya's south coast, a short boat transfer from Diani Beach. The resort occupies indigenous forest behind a white sand bay, with a coral reef running along the bay's edge. A protected sacred forest covers part of the island.

Fifty-three rooms spread across six categories. The Overwater Suite — described by the resort as the first of its kind in Kenya — sits above the water with views across Gazi Bay and the Shimba Hills. The Suite on the Rock occupies its own small islet, connected to the main island by a stone bridge; a circular thatched roof opens at the apex so that rainwater falls into a central garden, and a stairway leads up to a lounge above. Twenty-nine Ocean View Bandas and ten Tower Suites cover most guests, with twelve standard rooms completing the range.

The dive centre, Diving the Crab, runs PADI courses from Bubblemaker for children through to advanced certifications. Certified divers can visit sites including the Alpha Funguo Wreck, a ship sunk deliberately to create an artificial reef. Snorkelling, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, deep-sea fishing, and guided mangrove tours all run from the water sports centre.

The island is home to two troops of colobus monkeys and serves as a nesting site for green turtles. The Maisha Poa Spa sits beside the mangrove forest and includes a pool, a space for yoga, and a gym. Eight dining and bar options include a sushi bar, a teppanyaki grill, and the Mkoko Sunset Deck — a bar on stilts above the water on the island's western side, reached by a short wooden bridge.