Manda Bay is a gorgeous boutique beach lodge set on the small island of Manda, just off Lamu Island on the Swahili Coast. It's a wonderful setting, remote and isolated. Situated on the northernmost tip of the island, Manda Bay overlooks the channel that separates it from Lamu island, and which provides a safe environment for water sports (the channel avoids the brunt of the often harsh trade winds that hit the mainland coast). More importantly, the beach at the tip of Manda Island is just lovely.
Manda Bay is a small, discrete property - a luxury lodge, but not a particularly glitzy one. The definition of 'rustic beach chic', the atmosphere at Manda is decidedly relaxed. There are just twenty two cottages, or beach bandas. Constructed with local materials, they look simple from the outside but are beautifully furnished inside, with large double beds decked in bright fabrics and draped in flowing mosquito nets. Open windows allow in the gentle ocean breezes.
The public areas at Manda Bay adopt a similar style, relaxed and informal. There's a sheltered pool with sunbeds and an open-air sitting room and dining area set under thatch overlooking the ocean.
For those not intent to just soak up the sun on the beach, Manda Bay offers a good variety of activities. The channel separating Manda and Lamu Islands provides excellent opportunities for deep sea fishing, and safe, mostly calm waters for windsurfing, skiing and diving, among other sports. The marine life is excellent, with frequent dolphin sightings and, very occasionally, even whale sightings!
Accommodation
The rooms are split into three categories: Beach Front, Sea View, and Garden. The Garden rooms are smaller than the others, but otherwise only the position of the rooms differs; the layout and decor is similar. All of the rooms are en-suite with shower, and have a private verandah.
Dining
Meals at Manda Bay may be served in the open-air dining room, around the pool, on the beach by candlelight, or privately on your cottage verandah. For honeymooners, private dinners under a baobab tree hung with lanterns are a special highlight, or alternatively, dinner for two on board the Utamaduni, Manda Bay's fully fitted dhow boat.
Facilities
- Restaurant and bar
- Lounge
- Games room with a pool table, darts and table tennis
- Shop
- Swimming pool
Activities
- Diving and snorkelling
- Windsurfing, kayaking, and water skiing
- Mangrove Trips
- Deep-sea fishing
- Bird walks
- Explore the Swahili heritage of Lamu
- Dhow excursions on Utamaduni
- Spa treatments and massage
Child Policy
Manda Bay accommodates children of all ages. The larger beach front and sea view rooms are better suited to families with young children, as they can accommodate an additional single bed.
