SGR, carpool, or flight? What your travel choice says about you at Summertides
A viral TikTok clip from 2024’s Summertides, showing young men and women dressed in breezy beachwear hanging out of the sunroofs of high-end cars, their vehicles cruising slowly inside a luxury beachside villa, has made a loud return to the timelines.
It is the kind of video that refuses to fade, not because of its quality, but because it captures something bigger.
It captures what Summertides has come to represent for many young Kenyans: freedom, excess, adventure, and the unfiltered joy of coastal abandon. And just like that video, the Summertides fever is back, even before the event officially kicks off.
Social media is already alive with anticipation. There are photos of packed suitcases, cars being fuelled, playlists being curated, and travel groups being formed. Nairobi is slowly emptying of a particular crowd: the Gen Z and millennial adventurers chasing memories, sand, and sunshine. It is a migration that happens every year, but each time, it feels like a first.
The Summertides experience is not confined to the music festivals or night parties. It begins with wild mornings — bottles popping as early as 10 am on the beach, barefoot dances on the white sands, spontaneous beach football matches, and endless reels of content creation.
Diani becomes a canvas where everyone paints their own version of what youth, freedom, and thrill should look like. Villas become party headquarters, hotels are booked to capacity, and influencers post minute-by-minute updates from balconies, swimming pools, and sandy shores. For hardcore revellers, sleep becomes optional.
But behind the sun-drenched chaos and curated aesthetics is a little-discussed yet important layer of the Summertides experience — the journey.
The way people travel to Diani is not just a logistical choice; it is an expression of identity, tribe, and intent. Those high-end cars from the TikTok video? Many of them either made the journey from Nairobi on the road or were hired on arrival in Mombasa. Others who flew in are picked up straight from the Ukunda Airstrip to private villas. And those coming in on the SGR usually descend in squads, creating a ripple of excitement across the south coast as they arrive in groups, full of energy and anticipation.
The means of transport you choose has become as much a part of the Summertides conversation as the event itself. It shapes who you arrive with, how you arrive, and even what kind of memories you are likely to make. Here is what your chosen ride might say about the experience you are curating this season.
The flier
Flying to Diani is the domain of the meticulous planner. These are revellers who are not interested in unexpected detours or shared rest stops. They want smooth transitions from home to hotel, uninterrupted comfort, and the kind of seamless travel experience that allows them to step into Summertides fully refreshed. Many book their tickets weeks in advance, coordinate private airport transfers, and head straight to their pre-booked villas or boutique hotels, where champagne often awaits.
The flier’s Summertides is designed with intention. Their schedules are firm, their nights are exclusive, and their circles are often tightly knit. They are likely to be spotted at members-only parties, sunrise yoga sessions, or beachside brunches with carefully plated cuisine. It is less about the chaos and more about the curation — an elegant, well-paced indulgence where quality trumps quantity.
The SGR rider
For the SGR crowd, the journey is half the story.
Boarding the train in Syokimau is a ritual in itself — a meeting point of groups, vibes, and energy. Luggage is packed with more than clothes; there are Bluetooth speakers, card games, snacks, and energy drinks. Conversations start even before the train departs. The ride is often filled with laughter, selfies against the Tsavo landscape, and even impromptu playlists shared across cabins.
This group values experiences over exclusivity.
They are open to meeting new people, trying out spontaneous plans, and letting the wind carry them wherever the mood flows. Upon arrival in Mombasa, they often take the Likoni ferry or book affordable vans to Diani.
Their accommodation ranges from Airbnb apartments to mid-range hotels, where social interaction remains the fuel of the trip. Theirs is a Summertides built around friendship, shared memories, and meaningful connections. The vibe is open, and every day is an adventure waiting to unfold.
The carpool crew
For those who take to the road, especially in private cars, Summertides starts before the tarmac even gets hot.
These are the revellers who believe in flexibility, in stopping at will, in buying roast maize in Mtito Andei, or spending a night in Voi just to reset.
The playlist in their vehicle is sacred, the roles are divided — someone drives, someone DJs, someone navigates — and the journey is peppered with laughter, detours, and unplanned magic.
They arrive with dust on their boots and stories in their voices. The car is often packed with essentials: beachwear, snacks, shades, chargers, emergency kits, and sometimes even extra mattresses.
Once in Diani, this group thrives on the spirit of DIY fun. They organise their own beach games, cook-ins, sundowners, and bonfires. They may not always land in the flashiest accommodation, but they make up for it in chemistry, spontaneity, and full immersion in the coast’s raw magic.
At the end of it all, Summertides is a collision of different styles, energies, and social subcultures. Whether you are flying in for serenity, taking the SGR for balance, or hitting the road for the thrill, what matters is the story you build along the way.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of K24 Digital or its affiliates.
