Overview

Shela Beach on Lamu Island is a unique and preserved kitesurfing spot, located in the Lamu archipelago on the northern Kenyan coast. This long fine sand beach faces east/northeast onto the Indian Ocean. The southeast trade winds blow strongly during the Kusi season (June to October). Lamu is a remote and authentic destination, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The spot is suitable for intermediate riders with ocean conditions and a wild environment. The tide influences sailing conditions.

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Spot forecast for Shela / Lamu Island

Sunrise 05:56 · Sunset 18:06

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Swell and waves

Swell and tides over 8 days. Premium members see the swell and tides over 8 days. Without a subscription: 5 days.

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Wave height: < 0.5 m 0.5–1 m 1–2 m 2–3 m ≥ 3 m

Swell data by Open-Meteo Marine

Tides

Heights above lowest astronomical tide, in the spot's local time. Computed 8.7 km from the spot.

Tuesday 20 October Low tide 05:01 · 1.6 m High tide 11:35 · 2.1 m Low tide 18:24 · 1.3 m
Wednesday 21 October High tide 01:04 · 2.2 m Low tide 06:53 · 1.4 m High tide 13:03 · 2.3 m Low tide 19:20 · 1.1 m
Thursday 22 October High tide 01:45 · 2.4 m Low tide 07:47 · 1.1 m High tide 13:53 · 2.5 m Low tide 19:58 · 0.9 m
Friday 23 October High tide 02:17 · 2.7 m Low tide 08:26 · 0.8 m High tide 14:31 · 2.7 m Low tide 20:31 · 0.7 m
Saturday 24 October High tide 02:46 · 3 m Low tide 09:01 · 0.6 m High tide 15:05 · 2.9 m Low tide 21:02 · 0.6 m

Shela / Lamu Island: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

424h

in August · 31 rideable days

Wind is uneven from month to month: the best months are January, August and October, at 31 rideable days and 30 °C. The low point is April, at 23 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 81%13-20 knots · 19%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 81% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is July, at 27 °C. The wettest month is April, with 213 mm.

Monthly averages: Shela / Lamu Island

Monthly averages — Shela / Lamu Island — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	31.0	380 h	32 °C	21 mm
February	28.5	364 h	32 °C	8 mm
March	30.0	276 h	32 °C	57 mm
April	23.0	156 h	30 °C	213 mm
May	23.5	172 h	29 °C	182 mm
June	27.5	311 h	28 °C	107 mm
July	30.0	395 h	27 °C	68 mm
August	31.0	424 h	27 °C	52 mm
September	30.0	413 h	28 °C	41 mm
October	31.0	412 h	30 °C	38 mm
November	25.0	231 h	31 °C	73 mm
December	31.0	321 h	32 °C	40 mm

Photo gallery of Shela / Lamu Island

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Technical details of Shela / Lamu Island spot

The spot works with winds from SE, SSE, S.

Depending on conditions: NE, ENE, E, ESE.

RideableDepending on conditions Not rideable

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Required level: Intermediate

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Live

LAMU/MANDA ISLAN TG5.7 kmsource madis - NOAA

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Live readings from LAMU/MANDA ISLAN TG weather station are reserved for Premium members.

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Additional stations

LAMU10.9 km

Readings reserved for Premium members
source WIS2 - WMO
Ogimet - Lamu (Kenya)9.5 km

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source ogimet

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Webcams near Shela / Lamu Island

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Nearby spots

All spots: Lamu County

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Shela / Lamu Island kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot