Manda Bay, Lamu Archipelago, Kenya

Family-friendly boho-chic island sanctuary offering tranquility, water sports and barefoot luxury

7 nights from around £2,950pp sharing, including full board, flights and private transfers

Manda Bay is located on a long stretch of sandy, protected beach on the north-western tip of Manda Island, in the Lamu archipelago, offering beautiful beach front accommodation, informal pampering and barefoot luxury. Manda is a family run hideaway, well known for its friendly, informal atmosphere, excellent cuisine, water sports and deep sea fishing for Marlin and Sailfish.

Accommodation

There are 22 cottages with a choice of double or twin beds, surrounded by large flowing mosquito nets and cooled by overhead fans inside the nets. Eleven of these rooms are on the beachfront, and five are behind and above the first five beachfront rooms and there are 6 garden rooms at the back. The cottages are spacious and comfortable with their own bathrooms; they are specially sited to catch the cooling sea breezes and all have verandas. Each room has a small fridge to keep your drinks cool.

Activities & Experiences

The warm, clear waters immediately in front of the lodge are perfect for snorkelling, and other activities include windsurfing, sailing, water-skiing and exploring the nearby mangrove creeks. In season, there is deep sea fishing (with a tag and release system for all billfish) and scuba diving can also be arranged. From Manda Bay's private airstrip you can take scenic flights across this stunning region.

Manda Bay is only a 20 minute boat ride to vehicle-free Lamu - the oldest Swahili town of Islamic Culture dating back to the 13th Century and a world Heritage Site. The Manda Settlement, the oldest ruins recorded on the East African Coast, is situated within walking distance of

the lodge and surrounded by 100 year old baobab trees.

Bush buck and Cape Buffalo graze in the pastures on the Manda Estate next to the private airfield.

Facilities & Services

Manda Bay has a stunning infinity pool surrounded with numerous lamu beds, loungers, and hammocks. Manda Bay is well known for its water sports centre and has an extensive toy box with instructors to help show you how to use them all. One of the most popular activities is snorkelling to see the myriad of coloured fish living in the coral right next to the lodge. The main emphasis is on water based activities - there are numerous boats to sail, water skiing, donutting, wake boarding.

Weather & Seasons

The Lamu archipelago is generally hot and humid, with average temperatures of 28°C, rising to about 35°C around March. June and July can be quite windy and the long rains come late March to May, whilst the short rains occur in October and November. Christmas and New Year are generally considered the peak season and the weather is lovely, with constant sunshine and gentle off shore breezes.