Outdoor Adventures in Lamu
Lamu Boat Trips: A Must-Do Outdoors Treat
One of Shela’s popular appeals is its proximity to Manda channel that offers a fine sight, more spectacular than anything you have yet seen, and a highlight for many. But there is more to it than meets the eye. To make the most of your Lamu holiday, a boat trip, on a boat of one kind or another, is relaxing, as you pursue the comely sunsets. It is the next best thing to paradise provided in good weather, which at Lamu is almost a guaranteed success. Reasonably priced, boat trips in Lamu are worth every penny. Experiencing Lamu seaward as you take in the sights seems far removed from the island life. Imbibe in unlimited drinks and picnic en route!
A sought-after outing, best on motorized canopied boat or mashua, depending on the weather and tide, is a trip around Lamu Island going clockwise by following the channel between the mainland and island with a stopover on the beach of Kizingo and, if time allows, a stopover to either Matondoni or Kipungani villages. It takes on average 2-4 hours depending on the means; motorized boat, mashua or dhows. It’s a worthwhile trip at any time of day but highly recommended as a sun set cruise. A trip to view Lamu Port and Pate Island, sailing along mangrove lined channels, with a stopover at Manda Toto Island, is a relatively easy daytime trip.
Another common boat trip is around Manda with stopovers at Ras Kitau, Takwa Ruins, Manda Toto Island and Lamu Town. For the more adventurous at heart ‘who’ have done away with the shorter trips, a visit to Kiwayu with organizational arrangements for lunch on the island is a full day’s trip with notable sights. But the pièce de résistance is the 3-day trip from Lamu to Zanzibar and back! The price of any trip depends on the number of travellers and distances involved. A round trip of Lamu averages Kes 3,000; higher of lower depending on your haggling skills.
Don’t shy from driving a good bargain because they are expecting it when they quote a price, usually higher than they expect. Plenty of boats are available at Shela or Lamu Jetty. On arrival at Shela Jetty you might feel hassled by many dhow captains to venture on their boats, but once settled in they are likable and friendly. Most are well-informed on the area’s interests. In any case, ask your host or the manager of your hotel to vouch for a good boat. Advice: Make prior notice.
With her Zanzibar flair, Swahili textiles and freshly caught, deftly refined seafood, few on-board experiences can shimmer so close to the historical tradition of boat travel as this one [Tusitiri Dhow]. It offers holiday-makers multi day passages as well as one or half day voyages from Lamu. All Tusitiri Dhow expeditions, half day, one or more days, are booked on exclusive terms and tailor-made for each sea adventure depending on traveller’s interests as well as the season and the tides.
Thanks to its diverse landscape, Kenya offers a wide range of outdoor adventures. Mount Kenya, Africa’s second-highest peak, offers various climbing routes. Experience a unique perspective of Kenya’s wildlife and landscapes with a hot air balloon safari over Masai Mara. At the coast, enjoy activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, kite surfing, and boat tours to explore coral reefs and marine life.
Index of Outdoor Adventure Outfits in Kenya
Elgeyo Marakwet County - Active Edge Paragliding, Elgeyo Escarpment Trek, Homa Bay County - Mbita Waterbus, Isiolo County - Kisimani Eco Resort, Kiambu County - The Forest, Three Rivers Escapade, Kilifi County - 3 Degrees South, Salty's Kitesurfing, Tribe Watersports, Sawa Sawa Dhow Excursions, Mambrui Sand Dunes, Che Shale Kitesurf Center, Kirinyaga County - Savage Wilderness, Rapids Camp, Kwale County - Kenya Kite Masters, Funguo Wreck Diving, Raydon Water Sports, Diani Bikes, H2O Extreme, Skydive Diani, Wasini Dolphin Tour, Pilli Pipa Marina Safari, Charlie's Claw, Lamu County - Lamu Boating Trips, Tusitiri Dhow, Salsabia Dhow, Machakos County - Whistling Moran GP Racing, Lukenya Motocross, Meru County - Mount Kenya One Day Trip, Mombasa County - Mombasa Yacht Club, Mombasa Go-Kart, Tudor Marina, Sagana Wild Waters, Muranga County - Jangwani Camp Water Rafting, Narok County - Masai Mara Balloon Safari, Nyandarua County - Mawingu Paragliding Camp Kenya
outlook
Lamu County is one of Kenya’s most unique and enchanting regions, known for its rich Swahili culture, pristine beaches, and UNESCO-listed heritage. Located on the northern coast of Kenya, it consists of a group of islands (Lamu, Manda, Pate, and Kiwayu) and a stretch of mainland coastline. Lamu Island in particular is more than just a destination—it’s a living piece of Swahili history and coastal paradise.
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Explore Destinations Nearby Lamu Boat Rides
A Guide to Lamu County
A Summa Digest of Lamu
About Lamu Way Back When
70 Destinations in Lamu County, arranged as one would visit these - west, south, north then west - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Delta Dunes Lodge, Lake Moa, Old Town Witu, Witu Forest Reserve, Pangani Swamp, Lake Kiboko, Amu Ranch, Lake Amu, Kipini Conservancy, Lake Kenyatta, Amu Baharini Beach, Kizuke Beach, Lamu (Manda) Port, Red Pepper House, Lamu Island, Matondoni Dau Workshop, Matondoni Ruins, Tusitiri Dhow, Kipungani Ruins, Kizingoni Beach, Old Town Lamu, Lamu World Heritage Sector, Lamu Museum, The Swahili House Museum, German Post Office Museum, Lamu Fort, Lamu Market, Masjid Khoja Ithnasheri, Masjid Riyadha, House of Habib Swaleh, The Mosque College Lamu, Lamu Catholic Church, Tamarind Tree Cafe, Donkey Sanctuary, The Floating Bar, Boat Rides, MaraRaha, Kijani Hotel, Shela Village, Friday Masjid, Forodhani House, Peponi Hotel, Shela Beach, Bahari Restaurant, Fort at Shela, Ras Kitau, Diamond Village, The Maljis, Takwa Ruins, Manda Island, Manda Lodge, Manda Toto, Manda Coral Quarry, Nabahani Ruins, Pate Island, Shanga Ruins, Siyu Fort, Shindamweh, Atu Ruins, Chundwa Ruins, Faza Village, Lamu Monuments, Mangrove Forests, Dodori National Reserve, Kiunga Marine N. Reserve, Kiwayu Island, Ashuwei, Boni Forest National Reserve, Ishakani Ruins, Lamu Festivals
Know More About Lamu County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Lamu County lies along the Equatorial Climate System, enjoying two rainy seasons and temperatures between 24°C and 30°C year round – Hottest in December & April. Expect warm temperatures year-round, high humidity, and distinct wet and dry seasons – monsoon winds.
Lamu is composed of a coastal zone of 65 islands, vast creeks, bays, sand bars and mangrove. Among these, Lamu Island, hosting Lamu Town, is the bussiest. The mainland is flat to undulating.