Shimoni caves is a series of caves found in Shimoni about an 1hrs drive from Diani. The caves were carved by water slowly eroding the limestone creating small holes and eventually creating the cave. Long ago during the Indian Ocean trade slaves were kept in these massive caves before being sold off. Evidence of this can be found by the remnants of shackles that were used to secure the slaves before shipment. The cave's history is not all dark though, the area is also believed to have been used by the communities in the area as religious shrines often performing their rituals there. The name Shimoni comes from the word “shimo” which literally translates to hole in Swahili.