Shela Village & Beach

Shela is a small, quiet village 2 kilometres south of Lamu Town, accessible by a waterfront footpath or a 5-minute boat ride. The village is known for its concentration of beautifully restored Swahili houses (many available for private rental), a distinctive pepper-pot minaret, and the 12-kilometre Shela Beach — a vast expanse of white dunes stretching south toward Kiwayuu, almost always deserted. The shallow warm waters are safe for swimming, and the steady afternoon winds make it a reliable kitesurfing spot. Several boutique guesthouses and the island's most upscale restaurants are clustered in Shela.