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Manda Bay is a small boutique lodge located on the tip of an unspoiled, idyllic island in Lamu’s archipelago where you kick off your shoes and enjoy simplistic beauty in palm thatched cottages and open living spaces. Manda Bay is perfect for honeymooners, families, solo travellers and groups looking to enjoy time together.
Manda Bay combines a bush and beach experience. Whilst miles of soft sand and coconut palms surround the lodge itself, the bush behind the lodge is dry country scattered with Doum palms, Acacia Tortilis and savannah-like scrub. A variety of birds and mammals inhabit the island.
Manda Bay offers simplistic but beautiful accommodation, informal pampering and barefoot luxury. All the buildings are in keeping with the local landscape and are constructed using palm and driftwood and local building techniques. The location is exceptional with safe and comfortable swimming and boating.
Our Beachfront and Palm Rooms are all big enough to accommodate extra beds if you wish to have your children in you room. However we do have one Palm room which is our family room, set slightly further back from the seawall on higher ground behind the beachfront rooms.
Our family room is a large cottage with and adjoining room with two ensuite bathrooms. Each room includes an en suite bathroom, a wardrobe, a dressing table, an information booklet, charging sockets (220 volts - 3 pin), a hairdryer, drinking water, bathroom toiletries, two sets of towels per person, beach towels and a basket for use during your stay.
There are 11 beachfront rooms, situated right on the seawall, offering the closest access to the water and beach at low tide. These spacious rooms feature 7-foot beds, available as twins or king-size, with the option to add one or two extra beds for children. Room 11 is an extra-large room that can accommodate three additional beds. Each room includes an en suite bathroom, a wardrobe, a dressing table, an information booklet, charging sockets (220 volts - 3 pin), a hairdryer, drinking water, bathroom toiletries, two sets of towels per person, beach towels and a basket for use during your stay.
Room Facilities
Bath Towels, Bed Linen, Electrical Outlets, En Suite Bathroom, Fan, Hand Towels, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Safe, Shower, Verandah, Wardrobe
There are 6 Garden rooms, centrally located within the property and positioned close together. Originally designed for teenagers to make family travel more affordable. However, these rooms have become popular with many guests, especially fishermen who are out all day, as well as families and couples seeking a more budget-friendly option. The rooms feature an ensuite bathroom, standard-sized twin or double divan beds, a wardrobe, an information booklet, charging sockets (220 volts - 3 pin), a hairdryer, drinking water, bathroom toiletries, two sets of towels per person, beach towels and a basket for use during your stay.
Room Facilities
Bath Towels, Bed Linen, Electrical Outlets, En Suite Bathroom, Fan, Hairdryer, Hand Towels, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Safe, Shower, Verandah, Wardrobe
Palm Room
There are 5 Palm rooms, set slightly further back from the seawall on higher ground behind the beachfront rooms. Room 7 is a family cottage with an additional room and bathroom, accommodating up to 3 children. These cool and airy rooms benefit from a sea breeze and feature 7-foot beds, available as twins or king-size, with the option to add one or two extra beds for children. Each room includes an en suite bathroom, a wardrobe, a dressing table, an information booklet, charging sockets (220 volts - 3 pin), a hairdryer, drinking water, bathroom toiletries, two sets of towels per person, beach towels and a basket for use during your stay.
Room Facilities
Bath Towels, Bed Linen, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En Suite Bathroom, Fan, Hairdryer, Hand Towels, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Safe, Shower, Verandah, Wardrobe
Property Facilities
Accept Credit Cards, Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Children Friendly, Eco Friendly, Gym / Fitness Centre, Gym on property, Internet Access (Complimentary), Internet Access (Paid), Laundry Service, Library, Malaria Free, Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Power Generator , Restaurant, Spa, Vegetarian
Room Facilities
Bath Towels, Bed Linen, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En Suite Bathroom, Fan, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Mosquito Nets, Mosquito Netting, Safe, Shower, Verandah, Wardrobe
Available Services
24-hour Security, Airport Shuttle (Available), Credit Card Facilities, Laundry Service (Available), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Room Service
Activities on Site
Beach Drop Off, Bird Watching, Boating, Canoeing, Catch-and-release Fishing, Fishing, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Kayaking, Kite Surfing, Massages, Sailing, Scuba Diving, Snorkelling, Walks (Self Guided), Water Skiing, Windsurfing
Activities Nearby
Boat Cruises, Deep Sea Fishing, Fishing, Fly Fishing, General Sightseeing, Kayaking / Paddling, Kite Surfing, Museums, Turtle Tracking, Walks (Guided), Water Skiing
Manda offers conventional deep sea fishing on a 33 ft Lochin sportfishing boat. The Captain and Crew are experienced in fly fishing and jigging as well. Deep sea fishing season runs from September to April, offering an exciting experience for both beginners and seasoned anglers. Rough seas from May to October can make trips uncomfortable. Expect to catch game fish like tuna, marlin, and sailfish. Trips start early with a 6:30 AM departure, taking about an hour to reach the fishing grounds. The boat is equipped with a flush loo, shaded beds, and a canopy seat for comfort.
Manda has a collection of small boats with which to explore the islands, try some inshore fishing, visit Lamu, go snorkelling or enjoy some watersports.
Motorised watersports such as water skiing, tubing, wakeboarding, knee boarding and banana boat are available. You can arrange these activities with your host. Snorkelling is very popular from November - March when the water is clear. The coral reefs are 10 mins away by boat.
These activities are not included in your stay and can be paid for at the end of the stay.
Manda bay also has a number of non-motorized activities available to guests, which are included in their stay.
Explore peacefully with our 5 kayaks and 6 paddleboards/SUPs. At high tide, drift along mangrove creeks to spot turtles, birds, monkeys and fish or sail in the bay with our 2 sailboats and windsurfers during high tide. Sailing and windsurfing instruction is available at an additional fee.
Manda Bay is also a great Kitesurfing location. Best from mid-December to end of March and mid-May to October. Nearby kitesurfing school available; instructor at the hotel needs prior arrangement and not guaranteed due to availability.
Manda Bay can offer the perfect location for a small and intimate celebration.
We offer two wedding experiences:
1. Small intimate weddings : For couples looking for a simple, elegant ceremony, we offer an intimate wedding experience for up to 10 guests (max 5 rooms) requiring minimal arrangements.
2. Exclusive- use weddings : For a grander affair, Manda Bay can be exclusively yours for a minimum of 3 nights, accommodating up to 46 guests.
In the early evening it is possible to take a drive to visit the Manda ruins, an ancient human settlement that dates back nearly 1000 years. A few remnants of this town can be seen if you take a drive where you experience a complete contrast from the beach and see old coral buildings amongst enormous baobab trees and acacia woodland. Manda Bay is home to a host of creatures both large and small and whilst most of the animals are nocturnal including the greater Galago bushbaby, white tailed mongoose, civet cat, porcupine, hyaena, genet cat and occasionally leopard; we regularly see dik-dik, buffalo and bushbuck, dwarf mongoose, yellow baboons and vervet monkeys. During the dry season, we provide fresh water for the animals and guests can meet them at the waterhole.
BIRD WATCHING: There are a large variety of water birds as well as dry country scrub species.
Eating at Manda Bay
Renowned for its excellent food, Manda Bay creates delicious gourmet cuisine, using the freshest ingredients possible including a large variety of hand-selected seafood. Breakfasts of fresh fruit, cereals and a choice of cooked breakfasts, homemade buffet-style lunches and 3-course dinners on the beach under the stars. Guests may eat alone or with a group as they wish. All food preferences and allergies are catered for with prior notice.
As with everywhere in Kenya, sundowners are an important part of the day. Sundowners are brought from the bar to the beachfront and served by barmen Saidi, in front of a warmly glowing fire.
