Travel & Transport

Essential for reaching Diani Beach from Mombasa. Free for foot passengers, small fee for vehicles. Can have long queues at peak hours — go early morning or late evening to avoid waits. The crossing is a genuine slice of Mombasa life.

All arrivals to Lamu land at Manda Airport and cross to the island by boat. Your accommodation will arrange this. The 10-minute crossing with the old town skyline approaching is one of Kenya's great arrival moments.

Within the Lamu Archipelago, traditional dhows are the primary mode of transport. Hire privately for a sunset cruise, island-hop to Manda or Pate, or cross to Shela Beach. One of the most atmospheric travel experiences in Kenya.

Lake Victoria ferries connect Kisumu to fishing communities and islands. Slow, affordable, and a genuine window into western Kenya's lake culture. Rusinga Island is a peaceful retreat with excellent birdlife.

A short boat crossing from Shimoni village to Wasini Island, a quiet coral island close to the Tanzanian border. Most visitors combine this with a whale shark snorkelling trip in Kisite-Mpunguti Marine Park — one of the best snorkelling experiences on the Kenyan coast. Day trips are typically arranged through operators in Diani or Shimoni directly.

A small cable-operated pontoon ferry crossing Kilifi Creek — the waterway that separates Kilifi town from the road heading north to Watamu and Malindi. Free for pedestrians, small vehicle fee. A quick and practical crossing that's part of the coastal road experience north of Mombasa.