| Shela beach Lamu | | | | (Ksh 8000 per hour) windsurfing (Kshs 650 to Kshs |
| The ancient Swahili village often spelled Shela, sits at | | | | 800 per hour) snorkeling (equipment Kshs 200 per |
| the start of the glorious Shela beach .In some places | | | | day), deep sea fishing (from US$ 200 per boat) and |
| it even more medieval than Lamu, with a few signs | | | | scuba diving for certified divers between December |
| of modernity along it s maze-like alleyways. Ironically | | | | and march (US$ 50/90 for one /two dives, including |
| the pleasing authenticity is mostly due to the large | | | | lunch).cheaper windsurfing gear is available at talking |
| and expat population, who has restored many of the | | | | trees village. |
| old houses -left to its own devices Shela would | | | | Sleeping in Lamu Kenya Holiday Island |
| probably be far more dilapidated. | | | | Stopover Guesthouse |
| Shela's first residents were migrants from the | | | | (double Kshs 3000) |
| abandoned settlement of Takwa on Manda Island. | | | | This is the first place you come to on the |
| The local people speak a distinct dialect of Swahili and | | | | waterfront, above a popular restaurant by the same |
| you can see a strong evidence of Omani ancestry in | | | | name. The rooms are nice and light with big beds; like |
| many peoples faces. Although this is something of a | | | | all the places in this category, prices include breakfast |
| European enclave, with almost unseemly amounts of | | | | and should be thoroughly negotiable when it is not |
| building going on to cater for foreign demand, its still | | | | busy. |
| an atmospheric place to visit and wander around and | | | | Shella Bahari Guest House |
| the mood is just as languorous and laid back as it's | | | | (Double low season Kshs 2000-3000 high season |
| always been. | | | | 2500-4000) Another waterfront with a very similar |
| Sights and Activities in Lamu Kenya | | | | setup to Stopover. Rooms open into a wide balcony |
| There are no cultural attractions in Shela, but | | | | above the bay and have sea views, nets, fans and |
| wandering around the village is a very amenable way | | | | Swahili furniture. Again, you can often bargain down - |
| to pass the time. Look out for the pillar-style Mnarini | | | | aim for around Kshs 500 per person. |
| mosque behind Peponi hotel. | | | | Shella Pwani Guest House |
| Most people are here for the beach -this spectacular | | | | (Double low/high season Kshs 2000/2500) |
| dune-backed strip runs for 12 Kms around the | | | | Behind the shop selling kikois, immediately behind |
| headland, so you are guaranteed a private stretch of | | | | Peponi hotel in this lovely Swahili house with carved |
| sand, and it's a good place to comb the beach for | | | | plasterwork. Some rooms have fine sea views, as |
| shells. The Indian Ocean tsunami washed away a lot | | | | does the airy roof terrace, and all have fans and |
| of sand here, revealing some sharp but it's expected | | | | nets. |
| to return to normal within a few seasons. | | | | Dodo villas/talking trees campsite |
| At the start of the beach is a ridiculous mock fort, | | | | (Camp sites per tent Kshs 400, r Kshs 600-1200, apt |
| which was built by an Italian entrepreneur who had | | | | per person Kshs 200) |
| lots of money but bad taste. | | | | This is Lamu's only budget beach option, 50m back |
| There is no surf at Shela village because it lies at the | | | | from the Shela-Lamu track, with an extra lounge area |
| channel between Lamu and Manda islands which | | | | on the sand. Its normal identity crisis reflects the |
| makes it a prime spot for windsurfing. For traditional | | | | varied nature of the accommodation: The main |
| surfing there are real breakers at the mouth of the | | | | building has large unfussy rooms several concrete |
| channel, although this is the realm of some substantial | | | | blocks hold apartments for up to ten people, with |
| sharks. | | | | more being built. There is plenty of room for camping |
| Peponi hotels water sports center runs water skiing | | | | but no shade. |