Services that can be included:
– Shared bus or matatu Malindi–Mokowe (~2–3 hrs) + public boat to Lamu from $8/person
– Private car transfer Malindi–Mokowe with luggage assistance (~2 hrs)
– Motor dhow or speed boat from Mokowe to Lamu Old Town (~20–30 min)
– Domestic flight Malindi (MYD) to Manda Airport, Lamu (~30 min) with Safarilink
– Hotel pickup in Malindi and onward connection to Lamu accommodation
– Luggage-only transfer also available for solo travelers
Price: $8 – $120 per person/vehicle (depending on transport type)
– Shared bus/matatu + public boat: from $8–$15/person (3–5 hrs total)
– Private car to Mokowe + boat: from $50–$80 per vehicle
– Domestic flight Malindi–Lamu: from $60–$120 one-way per person (~30 min)
– Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure
– Free consultation via WhatsApp
– Fully customizable road, sea, or flight combination
– Price depends on transport mode and group size
Malindi to Lamu – Coastal Road, Dhow, or Direct Flight
Travel between Malindi and Lamu – two of Kenya’s most historic coastal towns – by road and boat, or by a short domestic flight. The 150 km overland route north to Mokowe takes 2–3 hours, followed by a boat crossing to Lamu Island.
Malindi is a natural stepping stone to Lamu for travelers coming from Mombasa or Watamu. The route is served by shared matatus and buses, as well as private car transfers. A direct domestic flight from Malindi International Airport (MYD) to Manda Airport (Lamu) takes only 30 minutes.
KenyaAssist organizes your Malindi–Lamu transfer at local prices with pick-up from your hotel and door-to-dhow coordination.
Road + Boat or Flight Between Malindi and Lamu
The journey from Malindi to Lamu follows the coastal road north through Mambrui and Garsen before reaching Mokowe jetty, the mainland access point to Lamu Island. The road section takes approximately 2–3 hours by private car or up to 3–4 hours by shared matatu or bus.
At Mokowe, public motor ferries and private speed boats cross the channel to Lamu Old Town in 20–30 minutes. The crossing costs under $1 on the public ferry. Private speed boats can be arranged for groups or those with more luggage.
Safarilink operates daily direct flights from Malindi International Airport (MYD) to Manda Airport (LAU) in approximately 30 minutes. Skyward Express also connects this route on select days. The flight eliminates the road section entirely and is the preferred option for those with limited time.
This route links Malindi with Lamu, with onward connections to Mombasa.
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