Manda Bay, Lamu, Beach, Watersports, Child friendly

In what is undoubtedly one of the best locations on the Kenyan coast, Manda Bay offers all the watersports one could wish for wrapped up with gourmet cuisine and a relaxing barefoot East African rhythm.

Located on a secluded peninsular close to Lamu but far enough away from the hustle and bustle, twelve spacious cottages line the beach overlooking the calm waters of the bay. Surrounded by magnificent coral gardens, empty beaches and indigenous woodland, the lodge is a glorious destination for watery Kenyan holidaying. Buildings are constructed with local materials in traditional style, with palm thatch roofs and woven matting floors. Spacious and comfortable with private verandahs, the cottages are draped in vibrant Kenyan fabrics and somehow manage to catch the capricious cooling sea breeze. Dining and sitting rooms are comfortable, open-sided to enjoy uninterrupted views of the bay and the ever-changing scene of birds, local sailing craft and spectacular marine life.

The availability of wonderful fresh seafood and tropical fruit sadly dictates most of the chef’s menus and the lodge suffers from the reputation of producing fantastic fish and seafood cuisine. Italian trained, his specialities include many ocean delights accompanied by exotic fruits and vegetables from the African tropics, mingled with subtle flavours and spices from Swahili. Meals are fairly informal affairs and dinner is usually served under the vast, starry African sky to the accompaniment of rustling palms.

There are two hundred acres of natural woodland behind Manda, home to Dikdik and Bush Buck. Ornithologists dream of drinks served on a sand dune above the tree canopy at sundown or dinner set under a spreading acacia tree - both are experiences not to be missed. The Lamu archipelago’s enchanted islands boast a civilized history of more than 1000 years, dating back to the 9th Century and Lamu is one of the oldest Swahili towns still in existence, the culture emerging from a mixture of Arab and Bantu. Only a thirty-minute boat ride away, take a guided tour of this ancient town and its museum - the architecture is of particular interest, especially the plasterwork and intricate wood carving.

Manda Bay has a couple of ski boats and a large collection of skis, a six seat Banana, air chair, super screamer tubes, kneeboards, wake boards and a kite surfer for limitless fun on the waves and for keen sailors there is a variety of wind-surfers, Toppers and Lasers.

There is a fleet of boats for sight seeing, snorkelling and creek fishing - renowned for its variety and quantity of sport fish. Striped, Black and Blue Marlin, Sailfish and many other game fish migrate through these waters in abundance and the thirty-three foot Scottish built ‘Cheza’ is on hand for sportsmen eager for a challenge. North Kenya’s fishing season runs from September to May, although the sea is very rough in September and October - the time for large Yellow Fin Tuna - but perfect for tall angling tales…

However one has spent the day, ‘Utamaduni’, a beautiful sixty-foot sailing dhow, is where one should be for sundowners, drifting back over the crystal clear water planning the next day’s rigorous schedule.