Lamu IslandLamu Island at a Glance
About Lamu Island
Lamu Island is the main island of the Lamu Archipelago on Kenya’s northern coast and hosts the historic settlement of Lamu Old Town. The town is an important center of Swahili culture and traditional coastal architecture.
The compact streets of Lamu Old Town feature coral-stone buildings, carved wooden doors and mosques set within a living townscape, while nearby Shela offers beaches and dhow landings. Boat trips, dhow sails and cultural tours are common activities for visitors.
Lamu has been an active Swahili trading and cultural center for centuries, influenced by Arab, Persian and African contacts; its urban core preserves building traditions and a town plan that reflect that maritime history.
Lamu Island lies off Kenya’s northeastern coast in Lamu County, part of an archipelago of islands and sandbanks separated from the mainland by creeks and channels.
- Pedestrian streets: The island’s Old Town retains pedestrian-only streets and traditional coral-and-plaster houses, which are best explored on foot to appreciate the architecture and alleyways.
What to See#
- Lamu Old Town: Lamu Old Town is a historic Swahili settlement with narrow streets, coral-stone buildings and traditional architecture dating back several centuries.
- Shela Village: Shela is a coastal village on the same island known for beaches, traditional dhow landings and smaller guesthouses.
Nearby Attractions to Lamu Island
Best Time to Visit Lamu Island
Late autumn through early spring (Nov-Mar) is ideal for calmer seas and beach days; consider shoulder seasons for fewer crowds.
Weather & Climate near Lamu Island
Lamu Island's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 23°C to 33°C. Abundant rainfall (1211 mm/year), wettest in May with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 24° - 32° | 31° | 26 mm | some cloud | 74% | 3.3 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.1h |
| February | Excellent | 24° - 32° | 31° | 7 mm | some cloud | 73% | 2.8 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 12.1h |
| March | Very Good | 25° - 33° | 33° | 53 mm | some cloud | 73% | 2.8 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Good | 25° - 32° | 33° | 210 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 2.5 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 11.9h |
| May | Very Good | 24° - 31° | 31° | 395 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 3.8 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 11.9h |
| June | Very Good | 24° - 29° | 26° | 171 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 4.2 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.9h |
| July | Excellent | 23° - 29° | 26° | 84 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 4.2 m/s | 2.0 very high | 11.9h |
| August | Excellent | 23° - 29° | 26° | 53 mm | some cloud | 75% | 4.2 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 11.9h |
| September | Excellent | 23° - 30° | 26° | 53 mm | some cloud | 75% | 4.3 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.0h |
| October | Excellent | 24° - 31° | 30° | 54 mm | some cloud | 76% | 3.3 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.1h |
| November | Excellent | 24° - 32° | 32° | 58 mm | some cloud | 78% | 3.0 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.1h |
| December | Excellent | 24° - 32° | 31° | 47 mm | some cloud | 76% | 3.3 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.1h |
How to Get to Lamu Island
Lamu is reached by ferry or small plane. Regular ferries and dhows depart Mokowe (mainland) to Lamu Old Town; Mokowe is about 45 minutes by road from Mpeketoni or 2-3 hours from Malindi/Mombasa depending on route. There are also scheduled flights to Lamu’s Manda Airport from Nairobi and Mombasa.
Tips for Visiting Lamu Island
- Use the main ferry from Lamu Old Town or the faster dhows from Mokowe - schedules vary by tide and season so check locally.
- Explore Lamu Old Town on foot or by donkey; motor vehicles are restricted and the streets are a maze that rewards getting lost.
- Respect local customs: Lamu is a conservative Muslim community-dress modestly, especially after dark and when visiting religious sites.