A boutique lodge located on an idyllic island, at Manda Bay barefoot luxury meets chic simplicity. The lodge is built right on the edge of the ocean and at high tide the water reaches up to the rooms. The main building consists of a bar and lounge, the dining area, the swimming pool, a small boutique and a gym. The complex is embedded in a large palm garden, where sun loungers and hammocks invite you to linger and relax.

Manda Bay has a total of 22 rooms, including eleven beachfront rooms, six seaview rooms and five garden rooms. Some rooms are larger and suitable for families. The Beachfront rooms are directly in front of the sea and at high tide it is possible to jump directly into the water. The Seaview rooms are set back just slightly behind the Beachfront rooms, but still have ocean views. Behind the rooms runs the sandy path to the main building. Finally, the Garden Rooms are on the other side of this path. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms, mosquito nets, ceiling fans, and desks.

Manda Bay is located on the north coast of Kenya on Manda Island. The area was pristine and secluded, but Kenya has now built a new port (Lamu Port) and the port cranes are visible in the distance from the lodge. As we understood it, one day the big ships will pass right in front of the lodge. This may disturb some of the guests but may as well be an attraction for others.

The flights from Nairobi to Lamu take about an hour. The airport is located on Manda Island, from where visitors are transferred by boat to their booked accommodations. The Swahili feel, the historic setting of Lamu and the journey by boat to Manda Bay will never be forgotten. The boat ride from the airport to Manda Bay takes about 30 minutes and passes close to mangrove forests through the Mkanda Channel, a narrow neck of water that was dredged to connect Lamu Town to the port side of Lamu.

Manda Bay has its own airstrip where charter planes can land. It takes just 5 minutes from the airstrip to the lodge.

The Lamu Archipelago consists of four islands: Lamu Island, Manda Island, Pate Island and Kiwayu Island. Lamu town is the capital of Lamu District and also the oldest Swahili settlement in Kenya, comparable to Stonetown/Zanzibar in Tanzania. Its origins date back to the 12th century when Lamu was an important trading post on the coast. The architecture of Lamu and also of the neighboring village of Shela has been largely preserved and a walk through the narrow streets is an experience and historically very interesting. Unesco classifies Lamu as a world heritage site. Everything is transported by wheelbarrows and donkeys, because the alleys are much too narrow for cars.

Excursions to Lamu or Shela, dhow trips, kayaking and SUPs, sailing, snorkeling, water skiing, wakeboarding. Fishing trips are popular from Manda Bay and the lodge has the appropriate boats. Deep sea fishing is also possible. Kitesurfing is another option, but you have to bring your own equipment.

Water temperatures are between 28 and 32C° all year round and it can get quite hot in Lamu. Most of the rain falls from May to July. From June to October the winds are stronger and therefore expect higher waves. Water sports and fishing are best done in the calmer months from November to March.

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