001 · Weather on Lamu Island
Lamu sits just south of the equator, so every month is beach weather. The island's seasons follow two ocean winds that dhow sailors have trusted for centuries: the Kaskazi from the north-east and the Kusi from the south.
002 · The Lamu year
Pick a month and see what it feels like on our beach.
Every month on Lamu is warm. Kaskazi, December to March: island summer, still mornings and the clearest water. Masika, April and May: the green season. Kusi, June to September: sunny, breezy and fresh. Vuli, October and November: festival season and the calmest water. The full month-by-month figures are in the table below.
003 · From Kizingoni Beach
Every one of them has something to love. Here is how each feels on our beach.
December to March
island summer
Bright, dry and glorious, with the clearest water of the year.
April to May
the green season
The wind changes direction and the island takes a long, green breath. Swahili sailors call these turning points between the two monsoons Tanga Mbili, "between the two".
June to September
the breezy season
Sunny and fresh, with comfortable evenings and some of the clearest skies of the year.
October to November
festival season
The breeze softens, the light turns golden and the island fills with festivals: the Lamu Yoga Festival around the start of November and the Lamu Cultural Festival, usually in November.
004 · For planners and travel partners
| Month | Season | Day / evening | Sea | Sky and rain | Breeze |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Kaskazi | 31°C / 25°C (88°F / 77°F) | 27°C (81°F) | Sunshine, about 8 mm | 20 km/h from the north-east |
| February | Kaskazi | 32°C / 25°C (90°F / 77°F) | 27°C (81°F) | Sunshine, about 4 mm | 20 km/h from the north-east |
| March | Kaskazi | 32°C / 26°C (90°F / 79°F) | 28°C (82°F) | Sunshine, about 28 mm | 17 km/h from the north-east |
| April | Masika | 31°C / 26°C (88°F / 79°F) | 29°C (84°F) | Sun and showers, about 125 mm | 17 km/h from the south-east |
| May | Masika | 29°C / 25°C (84°F / 77°F) | 28°C (82°F) | Showers and sunny spells, about 300 mm | 23 km/h from the south |
| June | Kusi | 28°C / 24°C (82°F / 75°F) | 27°C (81°F) | Showers and sunny spells, about 150 mm | 27 km/h from the south |
| July | Kusi | 28°C / 24°C (82°F / 75°F) | 26°C (79°F) | Sun and showers, about 70 mm | 28 km/h from the south |
| August | Kusi | 28°C / 24°C (82°F / 75°F) | 25°C (77°F) | Mostly sunny, about 41 mm | 27 km/h from the south |
| September | Kusi | 29°C / 24°C (84°F / 75°F) | 26°C (79°F) | Mostly sunny, about 40 mm | 24 km/h from the south |
| October | Vuli | 30°C / 24°C (86°F / 75°F) | 27°C (81°F) | Mostly sunny, about 45 mm | 20 km/h from the south |
| November | Vuli | 31°C / 25°C (88°F / 77°F) | 27°C (81°F) | Mostly sunny, about 50 mm | 15 km/h from the east |
| December | Kaskazi | 31°C / 25°C (88°F / 77°F) | 28°C (82°F) | Mostly sunny, about 30 mm | 18 km/h from the north-east |
Long-term monthly averages for Lamu Island. Rainfall follows the Lamu weather station record; temperatures, sea and breeze blend several published climate datasets, including 1991 to 2020 normals. Rainfall varies most from year to year, so it is shown as a typical figure. The season notes come from our team on Kizingoni Beach.
005 · The questions everyone asks
There isn't a wrong time. December to March (Kaskazi) brings still mornings, crystal-clear water and the best snorkelling. June to September (Kusi) brings fresh sea breezes, sunshine and comfortable evenings. October and November are festival season, with the Lamu Yoga Festival and the Lamu Cultural Festival. April and May are the green season: lush, peaceful, and the island to yourself.
They are the two monsoon winds of the Swahili coast. The Kaskazi blows from the north-east from about December to March and brings bright, dry days, still mornings and the clearest water of the year. The Kusi blows from the south from about June to September and brings a steady, refreshing breeze, comfortable evenings and a livelier ocean. The turning points between them are called Tanga Mbili, which means "between the two".
Rarely. Rain on Lamu usually comes as passing showers, and the sun is back soon after. April and May are our green season, and May is the wettest month, so that is the one to pack a good book for. Showers often linger into June, between sunny spells.
Warm all year: about 25°C (77°F) at its coolest in August and 29°C (84°F) at its warmest in April.
Days are around 28 to 32°C (82 to 90°F) all year, softened by the sea breeze, and evenings are balmy at about 24 to 26°C (75 to 79°F).
Never. Kizingoni Beach is seaweed-free all year round.
Always. The Cabanas welcomes guests in every month of the year.
006 · Open all year
Tell us when you are thinking of coming, and we will tell you how the island will feel.