The sands at chale island
The sands at chale island
About Chale Island
The sands at chale island : The Magical Chale Island is a fusion of nature and comfort with elegancy and romance, Chale Island is a private island with a stunning white beach fringed by coral reefs and a tidal saltwater lake surrounded by a mangrove forest. The island has a diverse mixture of indigenous and tropical Flora which attracts a wide variety of fascinating insects and primate life.
Chale Island also known as “The Eden of Kenya” is a romantic Island situated approximately 600 meters off the mainland, 10 kilometers south of Diani Beach, the island is approximately 12 kilometers and 0.8 kilometers wide with a general north/south orientation. Chale Island is divided into 2 parts that is a resort and a sacred forest/Kaya. The island has an explosion of colorful flora and fauna and features a mystical inland tidal mangrove lake which makes it a magical destination.
The resort
The Sands at Chale Island lies in 15 acres of indigenous ancient forest with stunning 10,000 square meters white sand bay which is protected by a vibrant coral reef, the resort boasts a private powder – white beach which is only accessible by hotel guests.
The Sands on Chale Island was built specifically with nature and environment in mind and it is one of the most low impact hotels in Kenya, the resort spreads out to offer the utmost in privacy and romance. Even when it is full capacity, one has a tremendous feeling of peace, tranquility and seclusion.
Structures of the Resort
The Sands at Chale Island is a contemporary mixture of Swahili structures, Italian stucco, Lamu furniture, objects of African art and Varnished Mahogany. Great care has been taken of the resort as well as to preserve the natural environment of the island and also to give a truly Kenyan feel by using only natural Kenyan products.
All buildings of the resort are constructed with local quarried coral blocks and are roofed with high, palm leaf “Makuti” thatch, the internal walls are finished with Kenyan made Italian “Stucco Venezziaoi” in hues of pale pink and blue.
The resort’s structures were built with an aim of making the building to be elegant but not luxurious, blending into the natural environment and reflecting the traditional architecture with a minimum 4 star standard.
The Beach
Beaches at Chale Island rank as one of the best beaches in Kenya and among the top ten beaches worldwide, Chale Island has a secluded bay covered with snow-white powder fine coral sand and due to its remoteness, it is the only beach in Kenya that is truly private. The lack of seaweed pile – ups, turtles frequently lay eggs in the bay which adds on to the charm of this magical island.
The Mangroves
2 thirds of Chale Island is an ancient mangrove forest boasting the tallest mangrove trees in East Africa, behind the island. There is the sweeping Gazi Bay which is the outlet of the seasonal Mkurimuji River, because of the combination of a shallow lagoon, a bay protected from waves and occasional fresh water makes Gazi an ideal Mangrove bay.
Accommodations at The Sands at Chale Island
The Sands at Chale Island offers 6 categories of accommodations established and fitted to suit all tastes and demands, all the rooms are fully air conditioned.
Caution: in efforts to reduce the emission of carbon, the main generator is turned off from 10:00 until 17:00. During this time, there is no power in the rooms, however the central public area of the Hotel is powered by a smaller generator.
Standard Rooms
Standard rooms are carefully set into the natural environment, there are 28 spacious semi-circular en-suite rooms at the main buildings, the rooms also have Swahili day beds set on breezy verandas facing the Ocean ensuring that all comforts are taken care of.
Bandas
Bandas at The Sands at Chale Island have high, palm thatched roofs with either out to sea, over the beach or panoramas encompassing lagoon, channel, and mangroves and setting sun over the Shimba Hills. Sun beds are set on private front lawns and large verandas with Swahili day beds boasting relaxing views.
Penthouse Suites
Penthouse suites are set well above the swaying treetops, these suites boast breathtaking views of both Ocean and island. Penthouses feature a separate sitting room, a veranda with stunning 270 degree view of the ocean and an upstairs grotto facing the sunset, the penthouse suites offers the ultimate views all around the island.
Overwater Suite
These suites are the first of their kind in Kenya and are located on the northwest of the island with stunning views of Bird Island, Gaza Bay and in the distant sunset, the Shimba Hills. The suite has a large bathroom with en-suite bathroom overlooking out over the channel and a separate sitting room.
Suite on the Rocks
These accommodations are a honeymooners dream and also everyone’s dream situated on a separate islet connected to the main island by a stone bridge, a thatched roof soaring high above the circular construction, then plunges down in the middle allowing rainwater to fall directly into a min garden in the center of the room.
A circular stairway leads one around an intricately crafted wall garden to an upstairs lounge while the front veranda overlooks a private Jacuzzi on the cliff face and sunbathing deck.
Facilities and services at The Sands at Chale Island
Wine & Dine
The sands at Chale Island offers a blend of traditional Kenyan cuisine with a healthy twist of Italian Panache and a hint of the Orient ensuring that each meal is an event to look forward to and to be enjoyed. There an extensive international beverage menu with a local taste of the exotic and a well-stocked wine cellar.
The resort has a selection of bars and restaurants to choose from during your stay
Restaurant
The restaurant has steps leading straight down to the center of the beach, the main restaurant is ideally situated to offer visitors the true island feeling. The meals at the resort are prepared by an expert teams of highly trained cooks who make sure that every meal is a pleasure. There is a strong emphasis on sea food, the live grilling station and Pasta corner that ensure that your meal is healthier.
The restaurant services traditional Kenyan cuisine mixed with both Italian and oriental dishes.
Bars
The Bars at the resort include one nestled between the Reception and the Restaurant which is the main bar and always open, another bar is The Galana Pool bar which is located by the Standard rooms in unique tranquility with stunning ocean vistas.
The Pools
The resort has 3 swimming pools situated in different locations, beside the reception there is the main fresh water swimming pool built with local stone and connected by a small waterfall to a 16 seater Jacuzzi. There is plentiful of sunbirds scattered around the generous pool.
Another swimming pool is located between the Standard Rooms, the pool has a pool bar and sun beds, the pool boasts the tranquility and magnificent panorama views on the Indian Ocean.
The 3rd swimming pool is on the other side of the Island by the SPA and fitness, the pool has salt water with steps leading directly into the sea at high tide offering a magical swim through the mangroves to the main jetty.
Reception
The reception at the resort is spacious circular reception area with its lofty roof, visitors are welcomed by the resort’s friendly reception team. Visitors are also offered welcome drink, a laid back check-in, the gentle breeze from the Indian Ocean and a stunning view of the beach which will set the pace for the rest of your holiday.
Guest Services
In addition to all – standard hotel services, the resort has gust relation team which arranges safaris to all Kenya’s national parks, there is nothing better than crowning your Diani Beach Holiday with a flying safari to Masai Mara national reserve where you will spot the Big Five in their natural habitat.
Activities at The Sands at Chale Island
- Diving
- Water sports such as beach snorkeling, boat snorkeling, kayaking, game fishing and local catamaran sailing
- Shopping
- Spa
- Excursions
Getting there
From Nairobi – Chale Island is situated just a short 3 hour journey including a one hour domestic flight from Nairobi to Ukunda and followed by a 30 – minute ride to Chale Island.
From Abroad – Most major European and African airports offer direct flights to Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, once in Nairobi you get a connecting from Wilson Airport to Ukunda Airstrip.
Entry Visa
All travelers to Kenya are required to have an entry visa obtained through an online portal https://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html, without a visa travelers may not be permitted to board the departing aircraft
