Island Bliss – Kenya coast
The Sands Chale Island
I like my beach lodges like my safari camps: varied activities with knowledgeable guides, very comfortable, good food, and some quirky designs and unexpected extras. The Sands Chale Island delivers this and much more as I found during a visit to Kenya in January. This private island, accessible by tractor at low tide and by boat at high tide, is a southern Kenyan coastal gem.
Enjoy the ocean view bandas
As you walk to the island’s reception area you are greeted by a wall describing various adventures at different times of day depending on the tides, which include yoga, guided snorkelling with a marine biologist, diving, guided low tide walks, kayaking through the mangroves, stand up paddle boarding, learning to scuba dive, beach cleaning and sulphur mud baths. You can also head further afield to Diani to visit the markets or go deep sea fishing. The Sands Chale Island take its responsibility for conservation and preservation on the coast very seriously and this is reflected in the lodge: they only serve sustainable seafood, there is a very informative marine centre for all ages, and when we were snorkelling there was no rubbish to be seen. It feels like a coastal lodge with a conscience, and it sets a great example.
Explore the underwater world
On the island, guests can relax by one of three pools, visit the spa, and enjoy one of three restaurants and bars – the beach bar is made from a dhow and is lit up at night. There is a smoothie bar, milkshakes are made on demand, and a huge selection of ice creams and sorbets all freshly made. The sunset bar with huge hammocks over the water is the best setting for a cocktail. Over the three days, we ate freshly prepared sushi, enjoyed a BBQ grill around the pool and delicious Italian food from the rooftop restaurant.
Relax at Jahazi beach bar
The marine, mammal, and bird life are a big feature of the island, and there is a very polite community of colobus monkeys and baboons, as well as many birds including an impressive number of waders. Chale Island is an important nesting site for the green turtle, and you can see them making their way up the beach to lay their eggs. This is the perfect place for regular seasonal whale shark sightings as well as migrating whales.
Watch the green turtle as it makes it way to the ocean
If you want more than a beach flop and are looking for an immersive blue safari, for either a family holiday or a romantic getaway, I highly recommend The Sands Chale Island at the start or end of your safari or as a stand-alone escape from a northern hemisphere winter. Island bliss and barefoot luxury at it’s best.
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