Guinean island archipelago off Conakry, offering pirogue crossings, beach villages, and quieter Atlantic air.
The Iles de Los are a small archipelago just south of Conakry, reachable by pirogue in about 30-45 minutes. The three main islands -- Tamara, Kassa, and Roume -- offer a welcome escape from the capital's noise and traffic.
Ile de Kassa is the most popular with Guineans, especially on weekends, and has a lively atmosphere with beach bars and grilled fish. Ile de Roume is quieter and favored by expats looking for peace. It has a more interesting history too -- the island was used during the slave trade era and is said to have inspired Robert Louis Stevenson.
Boats leave from the beach near the Novotel in Conakry. You can hire a private pirogue or take one of the regular boats that run to Soro village on Kassa. Agree on your fare and return time before departing -- being stranded overnight without planning for it is not ideal. Bring food, water, and sun protection, as facilities on the islands are basic.
Guide
Beaches
All three main islands have beaches, but the character differs. Kassa's east coast is the most developed and most popular: shallow water, palm shade, and a row of beach bars serving grilled barracuda and capitaine. On weekends it can be lively to the point of being noisy.
Roume's beaches are quieter and prettier, with a few short stretches of white sand on the sheltered side and clear water for swimming. Tamara is the wildest -- long empty beaches but a long walk between them. There is no lifeguard service anywhere; currents can be strong on the Atlantic-facing sides.
Guide
Getting There
Pirogues to the islands leave from the beach near the old Novotel in central Conakry. The crossing to Soro on Kassa takes about 30 to 45 minutes depending on the swell and the size of the boat.
You can either join a shared pirogue -- cheap, but you wait until it fills up -- or hire a private one for a few thousand francs. Agree on the price and a pick-up time before you leave: there is no scheduled return service, and being stranded on a small island after dark with no booked boat is uncomfortable at best. Bring drinking water, sun protection, and small notes for food on the islands.
