Lamu, 19 kilometres long and 8 kilometres wide, is the main island followed by Manda and Pate. There are three towns on the island — Lamu, Matandoni and Shelle.

Fishing and underwater activities
From Lamu you can sail to the surrounding islands. Pate Island lies 32km off to the northeast, or about two hours sailing in a dhow.

Here you will find the ruined towns of Faza and Siyu, and Takwa on Manda Island. Kiwaiyu Island, the most northerly of the four largest islands, is surrounded by coral reef, which makes the island a favourite for fishing and diving. The Kiunga Marine National Reserve is situated in this area.

Lamu is a place like no other, a peaceful tropical island where life is lived at it's own relaxed rhythm, but a place whose history is as mysterious and fascinating as the winding streets of it's medieval stone town.

The island itself is a beautiful place of rolling dunes and endless beaches, where tiny villages nestle among coconut and mango plantations and lateen sailed dhows ply the waters. But Lamu's real attraction is its Old town.

The town of Lamu began life as a 14th century Swahili settlement, but the island has seen many visitors and influences, including Portuguese explorers, Turkish traders and the Omani Arabs. All left their mark, but Lamu developed its own particular culture, which has ultimately endured.

Lamu's narrow streets remain unchanged, and in the markets and squares around the fort life moves at the same pace as it always has. There are no vehicles on this island, and the donkey and the dhow remain the dominant form of transport.

Lamu Town
Lamu Town traces its history back to the 14th century. It’s the only town along the entire Kenyan coastline to have preserved the atmosphere of its more than thousand-year-old civilization, founded by Arab and Persian merchants.

The ancient Swahili culture born of a meeting between African and Arab is reflected in the national costumes of the people. The men often wear long kirtles called kanzo, while the women are completely covered in black, bui-bui.

The soul of the place
Practically all the houses here were built in the 17th and 18th centuries and are fine examples of a sophisticated Swahili culture. The narrow labyrinth streets are cool and quiet.

As the District Officer owns the only motor vehicle on the island transport is restricted to donkey or dhows, or shanks mare. The smallness of the place has made the car redundant.

Matadoni & Shelle
Matadoni on the west coast is a fascinating little fishing village, where fishermen still build the traditional dhow.

Shelle, with its superb 12 kilometre long white sandy beach, fringed by high sand dunes, lies on the east coast, about a 40-minute walk from Lamu Town.


Long sandy beaches
Other than its history and culture Lamu offers the most superb and safe beaches and swimming. White coral sand stretches wide and far along the deserted shores of the blue and emerald Indian Ocean with coconut palms providing shelter from the strong sun.

A couple of small hotels and beach lodges provide comfortable and charming accommodation. Near Lamu town several private colonial residences may be rented on daily or weekly basis.