The Sands Marine Centre in Diani Beach (The Sands At Nomad), Diani Beach: Hours, Facilities and Family Guide
Animals and wildlife in Diani Beach (The Sands At Nomad), Diani Beach
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A small marine education centre in a converted boat house at The Sands at Nomad, Diani Beach, with reef and turtle exhibits, interactive displays and a guide.
What is The Sands Marine Centre?
The Marine Education Centre sits in a renovated boat house on the grounds of The Sands at Nomad hotel on Diani Beach. Exhibits and interactive displays cover reef life, sea turtles and marine debris, and a guide is usually on hand to talk families through them.
The centre was opened in 2018 and is used for school and community visits. It is small, so treat it as a short add-on to a beach day rather than a stand-alone outing.
The centre is the hotel's marine education and awareness project, covering reef ecology, sea turtles and marine debris with local conservation partners.
💡 Money-saving tips for families
- Entry An entry charge has been reported but the amount was not published | Combine
Key details
- Address
- The Sands at Nomad, Diani Beach Road, Diani Beach, Kwale County, Diani Beach
- Opening hours
- Daily 3pm to 5pm (reported, 2020)
- How long to plan
- Under 1 hour
- Suitable ages
- All ages
What to expect when you visit
Look for the old boat house on the hotel grounds and ask at reception whether the centre is open that afternoon. A guide usually walks you through the displays, which suit children old enough to read and ask questions.
It is a short visit, so combine it with beach time or a visit to one of the dive centres nearby.
Family essentials
- Facilities
- Toilets
- Safety notes
Look but do not touch the animals, and keep children away from the boat ramp and rocks at the water's edge.
Tickets and costs
- Adult entry: Kenya / East African resident
- KES 500
Plan your visit
- Best time to visit
- Late afternoon
- Busiest times
- School groups and holiday weekends
- How to get there
On the grounds of The Sands at Nomad hotel on Diani Beach Road, south coast.
- By car
- About 1 hour 15 minutes from Mombasa via the Likoni ferry or the Dongo Kundu bypass
- Uber / Bolt estimate
- Taxis and ride-hailing apps run along Diani Beach Road
- Public transport
Matatu or tuk-tuk along Diani Beach Road to The Sands at Nomad
- Combine with
Diani Splash Kids Aqua Park | Colobus Conservation (Diani)
- What to bring
Water | Sun hat | Cash for entry
What to pack
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Family day bag checklist
What visitors say
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Frequently asked questions
- What are the The Sands Marine Centre opening hours?
- Daily 3pm to 5pm (reported, 2020). Busiest: School groups and holiday weekends.
- How long do you need at The Sands Marine Centre?
- Plan for Under 1 hour.
- What is the best time to visit The Sands Marine Centre?
- Late afternoon. It is busiest School groups and holiday weekends.
- How do you get to The Sands Marine Centre?
- About 1 hour 15 minutes from Mombasa via the Likoni ferry or the Dongo Kundu bypass. Ride-hailing: Taxis and ride-hailing apps run along Diani Beach Road. Public transport: Matatu or tuk-tuk along Diani Beach Road to The Sands at Nomad On the grounds of The Sands at Nomad hotel on Diani Beach Road, south coast.
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