The best Lamu Dhow Trips
Lamu the hidden paradise for nature and sailing lovers in Kenya. The offers of sailing trips on traditional dhows are endless. One-Day-Trips, Overnight-Trips, Group-Trips and romantic dhow cruises: Find an overview of the most special and popular Lamu Dhow Trips and choose the perfect trip for your needs.
For prices or booking procedures get in touch with us. We will connect you with local providers.
Since sailing depends a lot on tides, currents and the weather times and itineraries can change from the initial plan.
Sailing around Lamu: One of the most special experiences in Kenya
Sunset Cruise in Lamu – the most popular sailing trip
One of the most popular and most special experiences: A sunset cruise in Lamu
Captain and crew will pick you up on a traditional sailing dhow at 4:30 pm either at Lamu Jet or Shela Jet.
Depending on the wind you will either sail besides the Manda Mangroves or inside the Manda Maweni Channel.
If the kaskazi wind is blowing you are sailing besides the Manda Mangroves then changing the sail to head to Manda Beach through the breathtaking Lamu Sea Door. In the waters of Manda Beach you can watch the beautiful sundown while enjoying some delicious snacks (samosas, viazi & bajia) and Swahili coffee.
If there’s kusii wind you are sailing inside the Manda Maweni Channel where all the villages from around get bricks to build their houses. You then sail back to see the sundown from Manda Channel enjoying some snacks and Swahili coffee.
After the sunset you will be taken to the jet where you got picked up.
Pick-up-location & duration: Lamu Jet or Shela Jet: 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
What is included: Snacks (samosa, viazi, bajia), Swahili coffee
What to bring with you: sunscreen, hat, swimming suit, water, additional (alcoholic) drinks or snacks
Day Trip: Sailing to Kipungani via Matondoni village – culture meets beach
Sailing to beautiful and empty Kipungani Beach
Captain and crew will pick you up on a traditional sailing dhow at 9 am either at Lamu Jet or Shela Jet from where the trip starts to Kipungani. On the way you are passing mangroves and on the right side you see the mainland. After arriving at the first stop Matondoni village you enjoy the village guided by a local tour guide. You learn how to make baskets, mats or huts by palm trees. After the tour the trip continues to Kipungani Beach where the crew is preparing delicious lunch. Enjoy the catch of the day with chapati or coconut rice, coconut curry, fruit salad or other Swahili delicacies. With full bellies you can then relax on the beautiful beach. After two hours you are sailing back to Lamu where you get dropped off at the jet.
This tour can be combined with the Sunset Cruise.
Pick-up-location & duration: Lamu Jet or Shela Jet 9 am - 4 pm
What is included: Water, lunch, fruits, ice to cool your own (alcoholic) drinks
What to bring with you: Sunscreen, hat, swimming suit, additional (alcoholic) drinks or snacks
Day Trip: Manda Beach and Takwa Ruins – history and relaxation
This trip depends on the tides. You can only visit Takwa Ruins when the tide is high.
The last part of the sailing journey to Takwa Ruins. By foot on a wooden bridge through the mangroves.
Captain and crew will pick you up on a traditional sailing dhow at 4:30 pm either at Lamu Jet or Shela Jet. Then the trip starts by sailing around the area of Manda and Shela. On Manda Beach you can enjoy the beautiful scenery while having some fruits. The lunch prepared by the crew is being served in the dhow while waiting for the tide to rise. On high tide you will then make your way to Takwa Ruins. After arriving you’ll need to pay a small fee of 500 schilling (around 5 dollars) to enter the ruins where you are guided around by a professional tour guide. After the tour you are sailing back to Lamu or Shela where you got picked up.
This tour can be combined with the Sunset Cruise.
Pick-up-location & duration: Lamu Jet or Shela Jet 10 am - 4 pm
What is included: Water, lunch, fruits, ice to cool your own (alcoholic) drinks
What to bring with you: Sunscreen, hat, swimming suit, additional (alcoholic) drinks or snacks, 500 schilling for entry to Tawka Ruins
Day trip: Sailing to Manda Toto
Relaxing before lunch right in front of the beautiful Manda Bay Hotel
During high tide you are sailing through Manda Channel making your way to one of the best snorkelling spots in the area. On the way you are crossing the New Lamu Port and Manda Bay Hotel. In the quiet channel you can enjoy the beauty of Lamu Island including many mangroves and birds.
If you’re lucky you can even spot turtles and flying fish.
For snorkelling you’ll get snorkel equipment. One of the crew members is then taking you for snorkelling. You will swim around the corals where you can discover many colourful fish and a lot of other unique creatures. In the meantime the crew is preparing fresh grilled fish with coconut rice, delicious veggie curry and fruits or similar Swahili food for lunch that you will be having on Manda Toto Beach. You then have time to enjoy the beach before sailing back through Manda Channel to Lamu.
This tour can be combined with the Sunset Cruise.
Pick-up-location & duration: Lamu Jet or Shela Jet, starts between 8 and 10 am, ends around 4:30 pm
What is included: Water, lunch, fruits, snorkel equipment, ice to cool your own (alcoholic) drinks
What to bring with you: Sunscreen, hat, swimming suit, additional (alcoholic) drinks or snacks
More sailing trips around Lamu, Kenya and Zanzibar
Sailing Cruise to Kinyika Rock (including wale shark spotting during the season)
Bonfire Sailing Trip
Overnight Trips or 3 Day Trips to Kiwayu Island
Overnight Trips or 3 Day Trips to Kiwayu Island and Pate Island
Overnight Trips to Manda Toto
7 Day Trip from Lamu to Zanzibar
7 Day Trip from Zanzibar to Lamu
And more…
Don’t hesitate and get in touch for more information.