Lamu town itself has no beach — you need to take a dhow or walk to Shela, about 45 minutes on foot or 15 minutes by boat. Shela Beach is a long, uncrowded stretch of golden sand in front of a small medieval village, with a few seafood restaurants nearby. It is the main beach destination and rarely feels busy.
Manda Island, across the channel, has several sparsely populated beaches reachable by dhow. Manda Toto, a small island just off Manda, has fine sand and clear water for swimming and sunbathing. On the opposite side of Lamu Island, Kipungani has a beautiful beach and a handful of places to eat. The best way to explore is by dhow — prices are negotiable and the sailing itself is part of the experience.