Lamu Island lies to the north of Kenya's coastline and here you find the jewel of the Indian Ocean.
This most exotic place in Kenya is set in an archipelago of islands, surrounded by coral reefs, the island lies virtually undisturbed by the surrounding, materialistic world.
Most of the accommodation places in Lamu are located on the Lamu Island, either on Lamu Shella Beach or Lamu Stone Town, and are reachable only by boat.
CoastBreak dot com organises for boat transfers either from the Manda Island airstrip or from the Mokowe Jetty Lamu for those arriving by private car or public buses.
There are two types of boat transfers to Lamu Island:
- Using speed boat or;
- Traditional Arabic Dhow
Speed boat transfer
This is the fastest means of crossing the Lamu Channel to get to Lamu Island. You have the option of taking a private speed boat whereby it is only you (and your family / friends if applicable) who will use the speed boat on an exclusive basis. Rate for exclusive speed boat hire is US$ 8 (Euro 6) or Kshs. 600/= per speed boat.
Rate for group speed boat transfer on a non exclusive basis is US$ 2 (Euro 1.50) or Kshs. 150/= per person.
Speed boat takes approximately 12 minutes to cross from Manda Island airstrip to Lamu Island and 26 minutes from Mokowe jetty to Lamu Island.
Traditional Arabic Dhow
A dhow is a traditional Arab sailing vessel with one or more lateen sails. It is primarily used to ferry passengers across the Lamu Channel and can sit upto 35 people. This is the slower means of crossing the Lamu Channel to get to Lamu Island. Rate for Arabic Dhow transfer is US$ 1 (Euro 0.75) or Kshs. 100/= per person.
Traditional Arabic Dhow takes approximately 22 minutes to cross from Manda Island airstrip to Lamu Island and 42 minutes from Mkowe jetty to Lamu Island.
To pre-book for your boat transfer to Lamu Island, call us on +254 712 918 589. Pre-payment via Safaricom M-Pesa is required.
Lamu boat transfer rates are subject to change without any prior notice unless payment has been received prior to any such change in rate.
