As the name would suggest, Tiwi is just a beach, with a good mix of cheap and expensive places to stay offering fantastic views and one of the most beautiful beaches in Kenya right outside your door. The entire length of the perfect white sandy strip, sprinkled with sea shells is fringed with palm trees and the water is lovely and warm.
During the three wonderful days I spent at Tiwi I think I saw no more than 15 other tourists. It's so much more pleasant than places like Diani with their big expensive hotels and nightclubs.
There will always be somebody (in our case it was Hassan) around willing to arrange for you to go on a dolphin watching trip (haggle and you'll get it for a fract
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During the three wonderful days I spent at Tiwi I think I saw no more than 15 other tourists. It's so much more pleasant than places like Diani with their big expensive hotels and nightclubs.
There will always be somebody (in our case it was Hassan) around willing to arrange for you to go on a dolphin watching trip (haggle and you'll get it for a fraction of the price tourists at the big hotels pay), women from the village to braid your hair, or for you to hire snorkels and visit the Map of Africa - a nearby rock pool in the shape of the continent.
In short, Tiwi is a beautiful, unspoilt place where nothing much happens. If you want to relax, it's the place to be.
Quick Tips:
Tiwi also gives you a much needed break from hawkers. Apart from food in the restaurants, the only things you can buy are kikois (beautiful long, sarong type skirt traditionally worn by men, made from much more substantial material than kangas,whose patterns tend only to be stripes), henna tattoos, and fruit salads from a slightly eccentric guy who goes by the name of Mango Man.
Most beds have mosi nets, but you'll need deet spray in the evening, and a torch is useful during the frequent power cuts. It's a good idea to take some snacks and things with you as there are no shops very nearby, so you have to depend on the restaurants. They do serve food all day, but if you're on a tight budget it's more economical to bring stuff along.
It's not advisable (as in most places) to walk alone at night. Unfortunately there has been a bit of a problem with people having money/travellers cheques stolen from their rooms. Don't let this put you off, but hide your money well, inside your rucksack or suitcase.
Best Way To Get Around:
Once there you'll just need to walk as there's not really anywhere to go. The best way to get to Tiwi is to take a taxi as the beach is quite a distance from the nearest main road along a track which isn't very safe at night to walk along. Beach roads are notorious for muggings in Kenya anyway. It takes about 45 minutes to drive from Mombasa (including the trip on the Likoni Ferry) and this should cost you about KSh1200 (£12/-ish).
There are matatus which ply the main road route but taking one of these would mean quite a walk down the track.
It's quite a good idea, if you know when you want to leave (although once you're there you'll probably want to stay longer)to arrange for the taxi driver who dropped you off to pick you back up again as the beach and its accomodation is fairly isolated.
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