http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33580 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33580 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33578 From the magnificent beaches you can reach some of the best coral reefs in the world that provide a habitat for an abundance of marine life. Feeding and nesting grounds for the population of sea turtles, dugong, dolphins, sharks and whales can be found here.
It is the undiscovered nature of this island’s beaches that make it so special. Snorkel the island’s shores, kayak the mangroves or relax in a hammock beneath the giant baobabs on the island beaches. Quilalea is a tiny untouched paradise. Difficult to reach, this is the ultimate African beach retreat for an offbeat getaway.
There are few places to stay on the island - the newly refurbished lodges at ‘Azura’, a luxury ‘eco’ boutique retreat which has all the facilities you need, while being a perfect beach hideaway, is worth a visit.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33578 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33075 On advice from an English speaking hotelier in Praia - a rarity, a small minority speak French as a second language and an even smaller number speak English - we found a minibus coletivo to Tarrafal. By ‘found’, I mean that after several fruitless conversations with local shop owners requesting directions, we caught sight of a driver trying to drum up more business while his present customers waited patiently within the vehicle. He stood on a street corner shouting “Tarrafal! Tarrafal! Tarrafal!”. A couple of hours north west on a bumpy cobblestone road later, we arrived at the picturesque sleepy fishing village of Tarrafal.
After walking through the small town centre and past the local open marketplace, we were greeted by pristine, soft sun bleached white sands, clearest of blue waters and the entirely unexpected view of neighbouring island Fogo across the water. Fogo’s volcano appears to hang over the water in the distance through the clouds, not unlike a hologram. Accommodation was a breeze to organise and within an hour of
our arrival in Tarrafal, we were in the water. In the dry season you can expect temperatures of upwards of 40 degrees and the water is pleasantly cold. The fishermen sorting their nets on the town’s white sandy beach is very classically African. Other beaches in the
immediate region have volcanic black sand. It’s a scene of colours in motion; the boats are brightly painted and the fishermen are dressed
equally vividly. It’s a noisy but efficient affair - after sorting the nets and docking the boats, the beach is quickly returned to its previous spotless state. Ordinarily there are few tourists on the beach, the sun is harsh and most can only take an hour or two at a time.
An alternative to sun baking and beach swimming can be found ten minutes walk away at the Hotel King Fisher, where diving and snorkeling equipment can be hired. The director of the diving school at Hotel King Fisher is a marine biologist and master diver, offering lessons for a reasonable fee. King Bay is accessed through the hotel and is well worth the trip on its own. Perfect for snorkeling even for less than confident swimmers with an array of colourful marine life to be seen, access to the water through the hotel is free of charge for those staying in alternate accommodation.
Extra tip: Euros are the easiest currency to exchange for Cape Verdean Escudos so don’t bother with US dollars or British pounds and remember your Portuguese phrase book!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33075 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33073 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33073 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33062 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33062 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26977 With a maximum of 10 passengers, the small group meant we had the freedom to try all of the activities. These included windsurfing, stand-up paddle boarding and a clear kayak.
The crew were amazing, providing watersports tuition, fantastic food and interesting information about the region.
We enjoyed a full morning at Whitehaven beach and snorkelled at numerous reefs. On Ice avoids the crowds to get the best experience and the crew cater for all abilities - they even have an air raft for non-swimmers.
Sailing into the sunset, we moored in sheltered bays and marvelled at the stars and milky way.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26977 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23884 www.PuertoViejoSatellite.com has the most comprehensive information source for the area with info on transport, hotel, activity and more.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23884 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22272 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22272 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21810 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21810 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21715 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21715 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21714 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21714 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21713
There are great reasonably priced hotels and resorts and white coral sand beaches, no chavs from down south and you can get in a short safari as well. Should cost about £1,000 for ten days. Family friendly.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21713 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21676 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21676 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21675
My first ever experience of reef snorkelling was at Watamu; a small, laid back and relaxed village about two hours drive north of Mombasa. The snorkelling here is excellent. There is a nice hotel on the beach called Ocean Sports, or for a more Swahili feel, try Marijani Hotel in the village itself. It's less than two minutes walk from the beach.

Alternatively you could head south of Mombasa, to either Diani or Tiwi. Diani is a bit more developed, whereas Tiwi is very chilled out. It may be tricky to get to Tiwi Beach without your own transport, but there is snorkelling available off the beach there. There are various accommodation options in the area.

Near Tiwi and Diani there is also a Colobus monkey conservation project and a very large, community-run elephant sanctuary, which are also well worth a visit.

Snorkelling is also pretty good in some spots just north of Mombasa. There are some big hotels in this area, but they are generally quite expensive.

You could also try scuba diving while you're in Kenya, with it being one of the top-rated dive destinations in the world!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21675 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21479
All meals (incl. in price, plus an afternoon cuppa!) served in the communal dining room - also right by the water's edge.

Island run by members of the Methodist Church of Fiji, some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21479 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20390
Anyone on Koh Samui will tell you the story, which goes like this: Ta Kreng and Yai Riem (grandpa Kreng and grandma Riem) lived with their son in the southern Thai province of Nakhon Sri Thammarat. Their son having come of age, they felt it was time he got married, and they set their sights on a union with the daughter of Ta Monglay, who lived in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, about 400 kilometres to the north.

They set off by boat but, on the way, the boat was caught in a storm and sank just off Koh Samui. The couple, unable to swim, drowned and turned into rocks: proof to the parents of the proposed bride of their good intentions. And there the rocks stand to this day.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20390 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20389 The islands include some of the best dive sites in Thailand. The possibilities range from touring coral gardens to adventurous drift diving in strong currents. The visibility tops out at over 40 metres (130 feet) during the November to April peak season, revealing a wonder world among the giant coral encrusted granite boulders, which are piled on top of each other from depths of 25 metres (90 feet) and more.

Koh Huyong, the southernmost island of the Similan group, offers a magnificent coral garden in 7 to 14 metres (23 to 46 feet) of clear waters. This site frequently has more than 30 metres (100 foot) visibility, only slight currents and is considered a very safe site.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20389 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20127 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20127 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20060 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20060 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19964
The dorms are basic, but there's a fantastic open-sided dining room/common area with the sea lapping against the supports. The food is good and plentiful, and the price is really good value (50 ringgit per night, full board). Make sure you book in advance though, and tell them that you want to dive at Sipadan, as there are only limited spots on the trip each day and people had to wait a few days if they had just turned up.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19964