The twelve-kilometre stretch of pale sand running south from Shela village is the main beach on Lamu Island, and one of the finest on the East African coast. It is fronted by low dunes, has no buildings beyond a couple of beach restaurants at the village end, and even in peak season feels uncrowded once you walk a few hundred metres south.
There are no facilities once you leave Peponi's terrace, so bring water. Swimming is good though the current can be strong on the falling tide. The sunsets behind the dunes, with dhows coming in across the channel, are the postcard image of Lamu for a reason.