Shela Beach
Shela is a village about 2 miles from Lamu Town.
The origin of the village is unknown, but according to tradition people from nearby Manda Island settled it. In 1813 the elite of Pate Island, allied with the Mazrui clan from Oman, attempted to subjugate Lamu in the Battle of Shela. This attempt failed totally, and the defeat of Pate at Shela signalled the rise of Lamu as the leading power in the archipelago. Shelas golden age was from 1829 to 1857, when 5 of its 6 mosques were constructed. It is especially known for the Shiathna-Asheri Mosque.
Shela is now a centre for tourism on the island, with several guesthouses feature by the coast. Shela is also home to the most spectacular beaches on Lamu Island, which were unfortunately damaged during the tsunami caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. The appearance of the area is much more in keeping with the imagined East African coastline, with its almost pure white sand, traditional dhows, and clean appearance. It makes a sharp contrast to Lamu town (directly opposite the airstrip on Manda), which lacks a beach and functions as a relatively busy port.
