Top 10 Best Kenyan Islands : The islands that jut out into the Indian Ocean from Kenya are some of the best in Africa, and the country’s mainland coastline is also excellent. These offshore beauties are like quieter echoes of the resort towns and beaches on the mainland, from Lamu and Kiwayu in the north to Chale and the Penguti islands in the south.
Some of the islands in Kenya are uninhabited, while others are ideal for a quick getaway. Also keep in mind that Kenya has a number of islands in its interior lakes, including Lake Naivasha and Lake Victoria. A large portion of Mombasa’s old town is located on its own island, Mombasa Island. But in this article, we’ve concentrated on the Kenyan islands in the Indian Ocean, where you should plan your beach or activity getaway. Our introduction to the best of these is provided below.
Lamu Island
Lamu is a soulful, unique location. Lamu Town, the island’s largest settlement, is charming due to its enticing spice warehouses and exquisite architecture with Swahili and Omani influences. Nothing compares to watching the sun set over the rooftops while the call to prayer is broadcast over the congested network of lanes below. However, Lamu is also home to Shela Beach, one of Kenya’s most stunning stretches of sand, as well as the communities of Kipungani and Matondoni, where you can see life continuing much as it has for centuries and where locals build the traditional wooden sailboats known as dhows.
- The closest airport to Lamu is Manda Island (LAU), where there are daily flights to and from Malindi, Mombasa, and Nairobi. Other coastal towns in Kenya can also be reached by road.
- Activities include kayaking, windsurfing, snorkeling, swimming, and diving.
- There are excellent lodging options for every price range in Lamu Town and Shela, as well as a few upscale establishments in Kipungani.
Kiwayu Island
Of all the islands in Kenya, picturesque Kiwayu may be the most romantic and lovely island in the entire nation because it is removed from the outside world and its noise. The white sand beaches, sandbars, coconut palm trees, and rocks all contribute to the area’s beauty. Or perhaps it’s the baobab trees. Or the stunning underwater reefs teeming with marine life; keep an eye out for turtles, dolphins, and fish of every hue. Most likely, it is each of these. There aren’t many people who live here, and the hilltops offer stunning views of the sun setting. Even with all of this, the most alluring aspect of Kiwayu is the feeling of blissful isolation.
- Getting There: Take a speedboat, a slow (three-day) dhow, or a private taxi boat from the island of Paté.
- Deep-sea fishing, sea kayaking, waterskiing, kitesurfing, and snorkeling are some of the available activities.
- There are only two options for lodging: friendly, affordable homestays or extravagant luxury.
Wasini Island
Wasini Island, in the extreme southeast of Kenya, is consistently rated as one of the top Kenyan islands by tourists. Even though Wasini is only 5 kilometers (3 miles) long, it manages to blend a relaxed tropical vibe with iconic Swahili architecture and stunning beaches. The lack of cars, patchy electricity, and quiet streets and beachfronts illuminated only by lamplight or the moon give the area its true off-the-grid feel.
- How to Get There: If you’re not taking a guided tour, boats will take you from Shimoni on the mainland to Wasini.
- Fishing, swimming, diving, and snorkeling are all activities.
- Accommodations: Several affordable to moderate options
Chale Island
Chale, which is technically a headland rather than an island, feels like a reachable paradise along Kenya’s far south coast, north of Wasini. When the waters between Chale and the mainland are still shallow during low tide, you can even swim or walk across. Once on Chale, you can anticipate a stunning beach, plenty of palm trees, and clear waters. It doesn’t really matter if it’s an island because everything is so picturesque and feels so much like a tropical island paradise.
- From the mainland’s Chale Harbour, boats will take you there.
- Swimming, diving, and snorkeling are activities.
- A resort on Chale, with more choices on the mainland, for lodging.
Diani Beach
Watamu Marine National Park
The rocky islands of Watamu Marine National Park, which are surrounded by a pristine coral reef, have a wonderful sense of being in a lost world, especially if you arrive early in the morning or stay late in the afternoon after all the other boats have returned to shore. The best exploration is frequently done underwater; search for the sea turtles that live on these islands.
- Watamu can be reached by car in two hours from Mombasa or in forty from Malindi.
- Activities include kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, fishing, windsurfing, swimming, diving, and snorkeling.
- There is no lodging on the islands themselves, but Watamu has a wide variety of lodging options for every price range.
Manda Island
When compared to other Kenyan islands, Manda Island, which is directly across the water (and visible from Lamu Town), marches to a very different drum. You can explore its sand dunes, mangroves, Takwa Ruins from the 15th century, and nearby fishing villages, and you can even get involved in a turtle conservation project. One of Kenya’s best beaches, Shela Beach, is just across the water. Some of the best snorkeling in northern Kenya can be found at Mini Manda Toto Island.
- Manda Airport (LAU), which serves flights from Malindi, Mombasa, and Nairobi, is located on the west coast of the island. Manda is connected by boat to Lamu Town and Shela.
- Swimming, diving, snorkeling, and visiting a village are all activities.
- Limited options for upscale and midrange lodging. Shela offers more options close by.
Paté Island
Paté, an island getaway in far-northern Kenya that is a part of the Lamu Archipelago, perfectly encapsulates the relaxed, tropical charm that the region’s north is known for. Here, elemental colors—deep green coconut palms, deeper Blue Ocean, white beaches, and red sand elsewhere—dominate, and the people are friendly because tourism hasn’t yet ruined their way of life. You might never want to leave if you add some ruins and the ancient Paté and Siyu villages.
- The boat ride from Lamu Town to Paté takes two hours.
- Activities include swimming, snorkeling, boat tours, and cultural excursions.
- Accommodations: The majority of lodging on the island is inexpensive homestays, which is a great way to interact with locals.
Funzi Island
You might be mistaken in thinking that swimming and snorkeling are the only activities available on every island near Kenya. Funzi offers something a little different along Kenya’s southern coast, about 35 kilometers south of Diani Beach. The island, which is covered in mangroves, is best known for its fantastic bird watching and crocodile or dolphin spotting tours. Of course, if you want to swim or snorkel while you’re here, no one will object.
- How to Get There: The majority of visitors to Funzi do so as part of a guided tour. If not, you must take a boat from the mainland city of Bodo.
- Activities include watching birds and wildlife, swimming, and water sports.
- On the island, there is only one upscale lodge.
Penguti Islands
The charming Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park, which is located off the southern coast of Wasini, includes the tiny Penguti Islands. Even though they are small, these two islets still possess the pristine beauty that characterizes Kenyan islands along the coast. The islands’ beauty is enhanced by the fact that they are uninhabited. Some of Kenya’s most beautiful coral reefs surround the islands; keep an eye out for dolphins and turtles.
- The islands can be reached by private boat from Wasini or as part of a dhow tour planned from Diani Beach.
- Swimming, diving, snorkeling, and wildlife viewing are all activities.
- There is no accommodation on the islands, so you can only visit them for a day trip unless you want to spend the night on the boat.
Kirepwe Island
Both Sudi and Kirepwe are viable options in the Mida Creek region. We chose Kirepwe because it offers a genuine glimpse of island life. Visit a Giriama village to get to know the people there, or go bird watching, explore the ruins, and then get in the water. Kirepwe serves as a reminder that not all of Kenya’s islands are ideal for lavish vacations and sipping cocktails as the sun sets.
- How to Get There: Take a day trip from Mida Creek to Kirepwe.
- Activities include birding, swimming, and cultural tours.
- There are no lodging options on the island.
