Lying just off Kenya's far north coast is a string of beautiful Indian Ocean islands - Lamu, Manda, Pate, Kiwayu and Manda Toto - known collectively as the Lamu Archipelago. An area of archaeological and historical interest as well as great natural beauty, these islands are well worth visiting for a more tranquil and away-from-the-crowds Kenya beach holiday. The islands are an hour's flight from Nairobi, the capital city.

Lamu Island, a Unesco World Heritage Site since 2001 and a centre of Swahili and Islamic culture for over 700 years, is the most popular and most developed of the islands. It is a beautiful place of rolling dunes and endless beaches, where tiny villages nestle among coconut and mango plantations and lateen sailed dhows ply the waters.

The town of Lamu began life as a 14th century Swahili settlement, but the island has seen many visitors and influences, including Portuguese explorers, Turkish traders and the Omani Arabs. All left their mark, but Lamu developed its own particular culture, which has ultimately endured.

Lamu’s narrow streets remain unchanged, and in the markets and squares around the fort life moves at the same pace as it always has. There are no vehicles on this island, and the donkey and the dhow remain the dominant form of transport. The island, which is predominantly Islamic, is conservative and visitors would do well to respect local customs and adhere to recommended dress codes while away from the beaches.

The less developed Manda Island offers a more exclusive feel just across the narrow channel from Lamu Island. It's virtually uninhabited but besides the archipelago's airport, the island is home to several archeologically important sites including the ruined towns of Takwa and Manda. Excavations at the sites have revealed their historical legacy, finding Chinese porcelain and Islamic pottery.