good for you

With pristine beaches, no cars and only traditional 'Dhow' sailing boats and donkeys to get around, Manda Island is the ultimate hideaway for tired souls. The Diamond Beach Village is designed according to local swahilli style and guests are accommodated in traditional 'Bandas' or huts located on the beach front. After your morning swim, breakfast can be enjoyed on the verandah with views of the open ocean, nearby Lamu Island and dhows sailing past. Salim, the local fisherman provides daily fresh fish or if you catch your own the chef can cook it for you. Snorkelling is available on the beautiful reefs off shore as well as watersports including diving, windsurfing, kitesurfing and sailing.

Nearby Lamu Island's Old Town is a UNESCO world heritage site and the oldest best-preserved Swahilli settlement in East Africa. Similar to Zanzibar, Lamu was an important town on the Arabia – Africa trading route and its characteristic Arabic style architecture and unique swahilli culture make wandering through its windy streets an unforgettable experience.

good for kenya

Positioned as it is on isolated Manda Island, Diamond Beach Village is inherently environmentally sustainable. There are no cars on the island and electricity is limited to a few hours a day. Fresh water is limited and guests are charged a small amount extra once they exceed the allocated 20litres p/person p/day; where possible, water is reused for gardening. All food is sourced locally. A compost heap is used and other waste is recyled. All buildings are made of local materials.

Although foreign owned, the Diamond Beach Village has an excellent relationship with the local population and 80% of revenue stays in the local community. Staff receives 10% of profits. The village invests in local projects and provides a free ferry service to local residents. Sadly, much of Manda Island is privately owned by hotel groups and outrageously, beaches are off limits to locals. Diamond Beach Village encourages the locals to use the beach and beach volley ball matches are organised each evening between locals and hotel guests. Diamond Beach Village is involved in the setting up of a local primary school.

Rooms

Food

Food tends to be a little more epensive than the mainland, but it is very fresh and sourced locally. Served up for breakfast is fresh fruit and eggs with homemade bread, kenyan tea and coffee. The freshest of fish is bought from the fisherman before he goes to market and being an Island, fish features heavily on the menu - fish fajitas, fish kebabs, fish hamburgers, prawn toast… However, other meat and vegetarian options are also available. Three course simple dinners are served each evening. Notify the owners in advance of any special dietary requirements as it is likely they will have to make a special purchase.

Features & Facilities

• Laundry, airport transfers, baby sitting, room serivce, safe deposit.
• Snorkelling enthusiasts will enjoy the small coral reef just off shore. Alternatively, day trips can be arranged to a larger reef and you may also see Dolphins en route.
• Walking manda Island and its white sand beaches is one of its great charms and you are unlikely to meet another soul. Walking through the centre of the Island will take you to some 16th century village remains and you're likely to meet some wild deer along the way. Windsurfing is available on the windy channel between Lamu and Manda and lessons can be arranged.

But the big must do in this part of the world is to take a trip on a traditional 'Dhow' sailing boat. Still used as the local mode of transport and by fisherman, trips can be easily arranged either for a few days with overnight stays or for the less adventurous just a leisurely hour or twos cruise.

Or the seriously chilled can read on the verandah while watching the snorkellers, the walkers and the dhows sail past.

Local Info & Activities

The major draw of this Island archipelago is undoubtedly Lamu Old Town, a UNESCO world heritage site. Just a half hour boat trip from Manda, Lamu is the oldest town in East Africa and a magical example of arab influenced Swahilli architecture and culture. Think Zanzibar without the development and far less tourists. Tall white washed buildings front onto windy lanes and people disappear behind beautiful wooden carved doors. There are no cars on this Island and donkeys are the main mode of tranport.

However, what's so special about Lamu is that it is a real working town with markets, shops, people going about their business – it doesn't exist for tourism alone. Drop into one of the local restuarnts that serve up fried fish and rice and watch the world and donkeys go by. A trip to the local Bollywood cinema is another must, language is no barrier as the real show is the auidence shouting enthusiastically at the screen.

Sustainability

• Power is by generator and is limited to a few hours in the evening.
• There are no cars on Manda or neighbouring Islands.
• All natural waste products are composted, paper is burnt and the village uses only bottles that can be returned to the wholesaler.
• Buildings are locally designed using traditional local materials that blend into the landscape.
• The owners are not local but the 10 staff are all Kenyan and receive 10% of profits. About 80% of revenue remains in the local community.
• The owners are respectful of local conditions and culture. For example, guests are advised to use fresh water sparingly and to respect the local muslim culture.
• Water is reused (not for drinking).
• All food is sourced locally and provides employment to a local fisherman and a farmer who provides Diamond village directly.

Getting There

Manda is gloriously isolated but not difficult to get to.

It is situated in East Africa just a half hour boat trip off the Kenyan Coast.

To reach Manda by bus, catch a bus from Mombasa (6 hours), Malindi (4hours). You will be dropped at Lamu Town where Diamond Beach Village will then pick you up and take you by boat to Manda (30mins). Tawakal is the recommended bus company.

**IN the past, Somali bandits have been known to hijack buses between Mombasa / Malindi and Lamu. It's worth checking with locals before you take the bus and find out whether this practice is still common.

Alternatively, flights operate daily from Nairobi (1 hour) and Mombasa (40 minutes). Again the village provides a shuttle boat from the airport (30mins).

Adventurous travelers should consider chartering a Dhow from Mombasa or Malindi and sailing all the way to Manda.

insider tips

Diamond Beach Village is open from 15th July - 15th April.

The rainy season in Lamu is generally May / June although you could add a week or two at each side, to be safe.

Diving and snorkeling are best when the seas are clear after August / September. Christmas and New Year is the peak tourist season.

Visit our Transport section for flights, hybrid car rentals and train bookings.

Rates & Bookings

Double Banda: £50 per night (2 persons)

Single Banda: £25 per night (1 person)

Treehouse: £150 per night (sleeps up to 6).

• Breakfast is included in these prices.
• Discounts are available for stays of 7 days or more.
• Open 1st July - 15th April

booking & cancellation policies

A deposit of 15% of the total cost of booking is due in order to secure a booking. The balance will be payable on arrival at the hotel.

• Cancellations made up until 7 days prior to arrival date will result in the loss of this deposit.
• Cancellations made between 7 and 1 day prior to arrival will result in a 50% cancellation fee, deducted from credit card.
• A ''no-show'' will result in a cancellation fee of 100% of total cost of booking, deducted from credit card.

Want to avoid cancellation fees? Visit our Insurance section for information on travel insurance.