Diamond Beach Village in Manda Island, Lamu
Rating: 3.1/5 (25 votes cast)
 At Diamond Beach Village we have six beach huts called bandas, traditionally designed with high windows, the sea breeze flows through making them the ideal retreat from the African sunshine.
The four double bandas have a double bed downstairs and a single bed mounted in the roof, each has a front porch, en suite shower, sink and flush toilet. All bandas are provided with sheets, mosquito nets and towels. Each has a mains plug with a British socket and all have electric lighting in the evening. Our very friendly room boy, Kombo, cleans daily and we offer a laundry service. The twin banda is larger with swing hammock outside and can sleep 2-4. The sixth ‘family’ banda is larger and divided into two, with swing bed outside, it sleeps between 3-6.
The floors and walls are made out of star palm which is woven locally, the roofs are a thatch of coconut palm. There is no fresh water on Manda Island so we re-use the water from the sinks and showers to water the garden.
We also have a treehouse (view treehouse) to rent. It sleeps between two and six people, with wooden floors, branches coming through the walls and a large veranda on the first floor stretching right around the tree, where there is an open air bathroom with sink, shower and flush toilet. There is another bathroom on the ground floor.
 The restaurant seating area is shaded from the sun with large palm thatched umbrellas, conveniently situated with a fantastic view of the Indian Ocean. Our highly trained chef, Kazungu, prepares a variety of dishes from traditional Swahili cuisine to more conventional western and vegetarian foods. A must for breakfast is banana pancakes and fruit salad with fresh Kenyan coffee or chai tea made from local spices, or toast and eggs with home made papaya jam and passion curd. Lamu\'s best kept secret is its freshly caught sea food... Lobster, king prawns, mangrove crab, red snapper, tuna, squid, and much more are on the menu each day.
Our ‘yoga studio’ built for John Scott is now a chill out area for the guests, with swinging chairs and beds a library and games, it is very easy to spend the day reading, dozing off and drinking fresh fruit juices until its time for cocktails in the bar.
Our giant clam shells in the garden under the acacia trees act as bird baths and attract a colourful array of beautiful birds at both dawn and dusk. Sit and watch them play as you relax and enjoy your drinks. Or lie under the shade of the acacia trees on the swing beds and hammocks while listening to the lap of the Indian Ocean which is just a ten second walk away. At dusk, Diamond Beach enjoys the full view of some of the most breathtaking African sunsets. When night falls you can find your way back to your banda, lit by the shimmering light of a billion stars,  over 180 degrees of perfectly clear sky. Or perhaps enjoy a moonlight swim where the shimmer of the phosphorescence is truly spectacular.
You are provided with paraffin lamps for the late evening, the well muffled generator gets switched off around 10pm.
There are no cars on Lamu or Manda, the only form of transport is donkey or boat, both of which are an experience in themselves. The pace of life is inevitably slow and relaxed. The island is located roughly three degrees south of the equator therefore you can guarantee that perfect island getaway, whether it is lazing in your airy banda, on the beach or exploring the surroundings.
Diamond Beach Village provides a wonderful base from which to explore the local scenery and also take in the colourful Lamu culture and people. Or if you'd prefer, simply sit back, relax and luxuriate for days on end and let our friendly staff look after your every need, whether its breakfast in bed or drinks on the swing bed. They are happy to make your stay as peaceful and special as possible to ensure you get into the island pace of life.
"Diamond is a five star chill out in a rustic, quirky and simple environment which has clearly been created by loving hands and hearts. They recycle water and are obviously dedicated to maintaining the natural simplicity of the island and unspoilt surroundings. The service is impeccable; Rachael and her team are welcoming and friendly and make an effort to make sure that you are happy and chilled I can’t recommend this place enough - it’s got all the elements of a 1st class resort with a down to earth, natural, welcoming attitude. I had to drag myself away!"
- Claire Livingstone UK
Getting to Diamond Beach Village is easy; fly to Nairobi and then transfer onto a smaller plane straight to Manda Island, Lamu. From Nairobi it takes 1 1/2 hours to reach us. There are 3 daily flights to and from the Island with Kenya Airways, Air Kenya and Safarilink. We will pick you up from Manda airport and take you to Diamond Beach in our boat: this takes 30 minutes. Also reach Lamu by plane or bus or from Mombasa (bus 6 hours) or Malindi (bus 4 hours), Tawakal is the best company, we will pick you up from Lamu town.
Activities
 If eating, drinking, swimming, reading and sleeping are not enough to satisfy the soul then there is plenty more to do. We have one boat, "Diamond", which does airport transfers. She is also available for hire to go to Shela and Lamu.
Shela village is only a 5 minute boat ride away across the channel. There are a few restaurants in Shela village and the famous Peponi Hotel where you can go for food and drinks. There are also 3 shops selling local gifts.
Lamu, the oldest town in East Africa is more of a working town, you can visit the market and wander around the narrow bustling streets, visit the Swahili museum eat and drink locally and generally get a feel for this Muslim island town. It takes 30 minutes to get to Lamu town.
Snorkelling
Diamond Beach Village has a small coral reef conveniently situated a stones throw from the beach. It is a safe and easy way for kids of all ages to view the underwater world. There is a vast array of colourful fish that inhabit this reef and everyday there is something new to see. Snorkeling trips can also be arranged to a larger reef which is an hour and a half boat ride away. If you are lucky you will see schools of dolphins playing around the boat. Snorkeling is tide dependant.
Beach Walks
A 10 minute walk along the shore line leads you to the point of Manda where the open sea meets the island. Along the way it is possible to see the colonial history of Lamu district evident in the ruins with rusty cannons inside. Dhows sail past but it is unlikely you will meet another person on this rugged stretch of coast. Our resident dog’s, Mambo and Diamond, will keep you company and amused as they chase crabs along the way.
You can also take a guided walk to the ruins of an old Swahili settlement, Takwa, which was built in the 16th century. This walk takes you through the heart of the island where dig dig (small deer) roam. You also pass the quarry where locals cut out the coral by hand for their traditional building blocks.
Windsurfing
The channel that divides Lamu from Manda provides the ideal opportunity for windsurfing. You can guarantee the wind will pick up at midday making perfect conditions for windsurfing. Lessons and equipment are available from Shela. Another sport that is becoming popular is kite surfing; the conditions are ideal so bring your equipment as there is none to hire.
Sailing
Sailing at sunset near Diamond Beach Village
Sailing is the traditional mode of transport along the east African coast. The beautifully crafted dhows with their huge sails are a great way to get around. Sailing through the channel is a wonderful way to view the African sunset. Hire Ronaldo our dhow to take you sunset sailing, on day trips snorkeling, right around the Lamu island or further a field to Kiwayu.
Fishing
For those who like to pass the days fishing then this is the place to hand line off the beach or from the back of the boat on the way to Lamu . For the more enthusiastic, trips can be arranged to the open ocean either on a dhow or speedboat.
Amentities
 All bandas (beach huts) have en-suite bathrooms with flushing toilet, shower and sink. Sheets, towels and mosquito nets are provided. Laundry service and room service is available. There are 2 boats for hire to take you around the islands.
Price Range
$76 - $150
Promotions
10% discount for a weeks stay or more.
Contact
For bookings, please contact:
Diamond Beach Village
PO Box 348, Lamu
Kenya, 80500
T +254 720915001
E book@diamondbeachvillage.com
W www.diamondbeachvillage.com
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