Manda Airport (LAU) is the main airport serving Lamu Island and the wider Lamu archipelago on Kenya’s northern coast. The airport is located on Manda Island, meaning passengers flying to Lamu do not land directly on Lamu Island and normally complete the final part of their journey by boat.
Travellers looking for other domestic connections can browse the Kenya Domestic Flights Database — [PASTE FLIGHTS PAGE URL] — covering airports, airstrips and passenger flight routes across Kenya.
Last checked: August 2026
Manda Airport at a Glance
Official Name: Manda Airport
Common Destination: Lamu
IATA Code: LAU
ICAO Code: HKLU
Location: Manda Island
County: Lamu County
Country: Kenya
Airport Type: Domestic
Main Area Served: Lamu Island, Shela, Manda Island and the wider Lamu area
Which Airport Serves Lamu?
Passengers flying to Lamu normally use Manda Airport (LAU).
This distinction is important because travellers frequently search for Lamu Airport, while the airport serving the destination is located across the water on Manda Island.
For practical journey planning:
Flight → Manda Airport → Boat transfer → Lamu Island / Shela
Passengers should therefore include the boat transfer when calculating their total journey time and travel costs.
Flights From Nairobi to Lamu
Nairobi is one of the principal departure points for flights to Lamu.
Nairobi to Lamu Flights Guide — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
Depending on the airline and scheduled service, flights can depart from:
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
or
Wilson Airport (WIL)
Passengers should check their booking carefully because NBO and WIL are two separate Nairobi airports.
Airlines Flying to Lamu
Several airlines can provide domestic connections to Manda Airport, depending on current schedules.
Jambojet
Jambojet operates domestic services connecting Nairobi with destinations on the Kenyan Coast, including Lamu.
Airline Code: JM
Passengers should check the current departure airport, schedule and fare when booking.
Safarilink
Safarilink operates scheduled services from Wilson Airport to coastal and safari destinations, including Lamu.
Wilson-based services can be particularly useful for passengers combining a Lamu trip with other regional or safari destinations.
Other operators may serve Manda Airport according to current schedules and seasonal demand.
Manda Airport Code: LAU
The IATA airport code for Manda Airport is:
LAU
Passengers will see this code when searching for flights, checking tickets and viewing baggage information.
Examples include:
Nairobi → LAU — Nairobi to Lamu
LAU → Nairobi — Lamu to Nairobi
LAU should not be confused with other coastal airport codes:
MBA — Moi International Airport, Mombasa
MYD — Malindi Airport
UKA — Ukunda Airport, serving Diani
Is Manda Airport the Same as Lamu Airport?
Travellers commonly refer to the destination as Lamu Airport, but scheduled passenger flights serving Lamu use Manda Airport (LAU) on Manda Island.
For Metros Kenya, it makes sense to use both names prominently because passengers may search for:
Manda Airport
Lamu Airport
LAU Airport
flights to Lamu
This also helps passengers understand that an additional transfer is required after landing.
Getting From Manda Airport to Lamu Island
One of the most important things for first-time passengers to understand is that arriving at Manda Airport does not complete the journey to Lamu Island.
Passengers normally continue by boat.
The basic journey is:
Manda Airport → Boat transfer → Lamu
Passengers staying in Shela or at accommodation elsewhere in the archipelago should confirm the appropriate boat transfer with their hotel, host or transport provider.
Manda Airport to Shela
Shela is another major destination for passengers arriving through Manda Airport.
The journey therefore typically involves:
Flight to Manda Airport → Boat transfer → Shela
Passengers staying at hotels or resorts should check whether airport pickup and boat transfers are included in their accommodation arrangements.
This is particularly useful for first-time visitors unfamiliar with local transfers.
How Long Is the Nairobi to Lamu Flight?
Passengers can generally plan for approximately:
1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes
The exact duration depends on the airline, Nairobi departure airport, aircraft and routing.
Some services may have intermediate stops, so passengers should check the itinerary before booking.
Nairobi to Lamu Flight Fares
For travel planning, passengers can use an approximate one-way range of:
KSh 8,000–18,000
During periods of strong demand or when booking close to departure, fares can potentially be higher.
Nairobi to Lamu Flights Guide — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
These prices should be treated as planning estimates rather than live fares.
Passengers should also budget separately for onward transport from Manda Airport where it is not included in their accommodation or travel package.
Manda Airport or Malindi Airport?
Passengers travelling along Kenya’s northern Coast should choose their destination airport carefully.
Manda Airport (LAU) — serves Lamu
Malindi Airport (MYD) — serves Malindi and Watamu
Malindi Airport Guide — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
Passengers travelling specifically to Lamu will generally want to search for flights using LAU.
Manda Airport or Mombasa Airport?
Moi International Airport in Mombasa is a major coastal aviation gateway, but it is not the airport serving Lamu directly.
Manda Airport (LAU) provides air access to Lamu.
Moi International Airport (MBA) serves Mombasa.
Moi International Airport Guide — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
Passengers should therefore search by the correct destination rather than simply looking for flights to the Kenyan Coast.
Check-In at Manda Airport
Passengers flying from Manda Airport should follow the check-in deadline specified by their airline.
Allow sufficient time for:
Boat transfer → Arrival at airport → Check-in → Baggage processing → Security → Boarding
The boat journey is particularly important when planning a departure from Lamu or Shela.
Passengers should leave enough time for the water transfer and avoid planning an excessively tight connection.
Baggage at Manda Airport
Baggage allowances depend on the airline, fare and aircraft being used.
Passengers should check:
- Cabin baggage allowance
- Checked baggage allowance
- Weight restrictions
- Size restrictions
- Excess baggage charges
- Special baggage requirements
Passengers travelling on smaller regional aircraft should pay particular attention to weight limits.
Flying From Lamu to Nairobi
Passengers can travel in the opposite direction:
Manda Airport (LAU) → Nairobi
Depending on the airline, the Nairobi arrival airport may be:
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
or
Wilson Airport (WIL)
Passengers connecting to another flight in Nairobi should confirm the arrival airport before booking the onward journey.
A transfer between WIL and NBO requires a road journey across Nairobi.
Connecting Lamu With Safari Destinations
Wilson Airport’s regional aviation network can make Lamu part of a wider Kenya itinerary.
For example, a passenger could travel:
Lamu → Nairobi Wilson → Safari destination
or:
Safari destination → Wilson → Lamu
The exact itinerary depends on available schedules, and passengers should allow adequate connection time.
When Should You Book Lamu Flights?
Demand for Lamu flights can increase during:
- Christmas and New Year
- Easter
- Public holidays
- School holidays
- Festivals and major events
- Peak tourism periods
Passengers travelling during busy periods may benefit from booking earlier because both fares and seat availability can change as the departure date approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the airport code for Lamu?
The airport serving Lamu is Manda Airport, with the IATA code LAU.
Does Lamu have an airport?
Lamu is served by Manda Airport (LAU), located on Manda Island.
Is Manda Airport on Lamu Island?
No. Manda Airport is on Manda Island. Passengers travelling to Lamu Island normally continue by boat.
How do I get from Manda Airport to Lamu?
Passengers normally take a boat from the Manda side to Lamu.
Are there flights from Nairobi to Lamu?
Yes. Domestic flights connect Nairobi with Manda Airport, subject to current airline schedules.
How long is the Nairobi to Lamu flight?
Passengers can generally plan for approximately 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes, depending on the service.
Which Nairobi airport has flights to Lamu?
Services can operate from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) or Wilson Airport (WIL) depending on the airline.
Which airport should I use for Shela?
Passengers travelling to Shela can fly into Manda Airport (LAU) and complete the journey by boat.
Related Flight and Airport Guides
Kenya Domestic Flights Database — [PASTE FLIGHTS PAGE URL]
Nairobi to Lamu Flights — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Guide — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
Wilson Airport Guide — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
Malindi Airport Guide — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
Moi International Airport Guide — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
Ukunda Airport Guide — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
Nairobi to Malindi Flights — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
Nairobi to Mombasa Flights — [LINK WHEN PUBLISHED]
Manda Airport Summary
Airport: Manda Airport
Common Destination: Lamu
IATA Code: LAU
ICAO Code: HKLU
Location: Manda Island, Lamu County
Airport Type: Domestic
Main Areas Served: Lamu Island, Shela, Manda Island and surrounding destinations
Manda Airport is the principal aviation gateway for passengers travelling to Lamu and Shela, with the final part of the journey typically completed by boat.
Before travelling, passengers should confirm their airline, Nairobi departure or arrival airport, flight number, departure time, baggage allowance, boat transfer and check-in requirements.
