The Location of Lamu Island and How to Get There Safely

Lamu Island lies in the Indian Ocean off the Kenyan coast, approximately 150 miles northeast of Mombasa. It is a famous island within the Lamu Archipelago that also includes Manda, Pate, and Kiwayu. The island is renowned for its well-preserved Swahili culture in East Africa.

Dating back to at least the 12th century, the island has some of the oldest structures built mainly with coral stone and mangrove timber. Their rustic appearance can deceive you but they have nice interiors enriched by fantastic features such as an inner courtyard, verandas, and elaborate carved wooden doors.

For years, there have been no motor vehicles on the Island. Sections are connected with narrow alleyways and strolling along them is like walking back in time. You will mostly see donkeys and handcarts ferrying people and goods from one place to another.

How to get there safely

Lamu Island is easily accessible by air through the Manda Airport ( also called Lamu Airport) located on Manda Island, practically within eyesight of the Lamu Old Town waterfront. About 5 domestic airlines and several chartered flights take off and land at the small civilian airport. 

If you are traveling to Kenya, the easiest way is to book a flight to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi or Moi International Airport in Mombasa before taking your connecting flight to Lamu Airport. From here, a boat ride will take you to the iconic Lamu Island.

Sometimes there are just a few scheduled flights to Lamu from Mombasa or Malindi. I wouldn’t recommend driving or taking a bus as an alternative. There has been a resurgence of attacks by Alshabab militants who target cars and other vehicles in transit. 

Places to visit on Lamu Island

Many travelers visit Lamu Island after a safari adventure on mainland Kenya. I find it a great place for disconnecting with modernity. When at Lamu you feel like you are in another world. There are several great places you must tour which include the following:

Lamu Old Town

Lamu town (Old Town) is notably the oldest town in Kenya with a trading history that dates back to the 14th century. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001, this town has a well-preserved Swahili culture and settlement in all of East Africa.

It feels exciting to see centuries-old shops, mosques, and residential homes all exhibiting a confluence of Arabic, Indian, and European cultures. Locals in this town are very friendly and always ready to guide you or share any piece of information you desire to know. 

Surprisingly, Lamu Old Town doesn’t become a ghost town with the fall of the night. It remains vibrant as locals pour out of their homes to enjoy the evening breeze from the waters of the Indian Ocean. Sunsets while strolling the beaches of Lamu remain my best moments.

Tip: Lamu Old Town is a socially respected place and tourists are expected to cover up. Women wearing bikinis or shorts might draw negative attitudes from the residents.

Shella beach

From Lamu Town, a short walk or boat ride will take you to the famous Shella beach. Upon arrival, the stunning natural beauty is evident. The powdery white sand beach stretches several miles along the coastline providing breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

Unlike Pirates Beach and other crowded destinations on the Kenyan coastline, Shella Beach is tranquil. One unique experience here is camel rides. If you are not into watersports, you can just relax and enjoy the coastal breeze and panoramic views of the Indian Ocean.

On the edge of this pristine beach lies Shella Village, home to several restaurants, guesthouses, and shops selling souvenirs, fine clothing, and jewelry. Here you can meet and mingle with many of the international guests, residents of the island, local fishermen, and artists.

Lamu Fort

The Lamu Fort built between 1813-1821 is a magnificent two-storey stone building that sits next to the Pwani mosque. Its design is a pure ingenuity of the then architectural skills. The fort occupies a strategic position overlooking the Indian Ocean 70 meters from the tranquil jetty shore.

Lamu Fort was initially used by Omanis as a center for controlling the East African coast. It later became a prison during the British colonial administration and after Kenya’s independence until 1984, when it was handed over to the National Museum of Kenya.

Today Lamu Fort houses a library with the best collections of Swahili poetry and Lamu reference materials. The second level has a workshop, a few offices, and a conference room utilized by the community for gatherings, weddings, and other cultural performances.

Visit Siyu village 

Siyu village, dating back to the 15th century, is located on Pate Island approximately 20 kilometers northeast of Lamu Island. It became famous in the late 19th century when its residents resisted Omani domination and even constructed a fort to protect themselves from the attacks.

The present village of Siyu is still known for its well-established leather craft, including sandals, belts, and stools. Siyu Fort is the main attraction for tourists visiting the village. It is host to the remains of magnificent tombs and a historic mosque.

The easiest way to get to Pate Island is by a speed boat which takes approximately 45 minutes at high tide. The alternative is to catch a motorized public ferry from the Lamu jetty, a journey that takes 2 hours. A motorbike ride on the island is the quickest to take you through the Siyu village.

Final thought

Lamu Island off Kenya’s North Coast is one of the serene locations on the African continent. The destination has the most significant historic attractions on the East African coastline. Dating back to the 12th century, the island has the oldest infrastructure and traditions.

Interesting places to tour include the Lamu Old Town, Lamu Fort, Shella Beach, and Siyu Village in the neighboring Pate Island within the Lamu Archipelago. Lamu has a well-preserved Swahili culture and it’s important to respect all the traditional values when visiting.