Lake Moa

Major Lakes in Lamu

Lake Moa: Of Best Little Known Lakes

From Minjila, turning off the B8 Malindi-Garissa Road to C112 Garsen-Lamu Road, Lake Moa is 36 km away at Moa village set back 2 km off the C112 Road. This is one of those places that manages to catch the traveller by surprise, being, of course, one of the best little known lakes in Kenya. It is a long thin lake, stretching about 3 km close to the border with Tana River County, and part of the reason it is linked more with Tana River than Lamu. Still and all, it finds its source in the vast Tana Delta – a term slackly given to the flood plain ecosystem of the lower Tana River where several lakes and freshwater marshes occur in the basins of oxbow lakes.

The excessive turbidity of Moa’s muddy water is the effect of immense sediments from the Tana River. The shore on either side is low and covered with bush, but on the landward side it is surrounded by thick forest. Lake Moa is a key resource for many local communities. Nearly 300 fishers, with about 30 boats, descend on it each day to earn subsistence. The main fish harvested is Tilapia. The fishing folk is primarily of the Pokomo, Luo and Luhya communities, with the latter two being immigrants who settled into the Tana Delta in the 1940s, post WW2, bringing with them tried and tested fishing skills used in their native home around Lake Victoria.

The Orma, a traditionally pastoralist community, a subgroup of the larger Oromo, have only recently become interested in fishing and they remain low on the totem pole. Lake Moa is one of three fresh water resources in Lamu County alongside Lakes Kenyatta, near Mpeketoni, and Amu, further along C112 Road, and both are part of the series of lakes in the Tana Delta, including: Shakababo, Kongolola, Dida Warede, Kitumbuini, and Harakisa. Of the oxbow lakes that exist, the most salient are Lakes Moa and Shakababo. But life for the fishing community at Lake Moa is becoming ever harder as the number depending on its resources builds up, with limited capacity to increase productivity; ergo the fishermen have received aid in the form of fish ponds that act as demonstration sites for commercial fish farming.

Kenya is blessed with several lakes, each offering unique attractions, ecosystems, and opportunities for exploration. Shared with Uganda and Tanzania, Lake Victoria is the largest tropical lake in the world by surface area. Known for its geysers and hot springs, Lake Bogoria is among the unique lakes along Kenya’s Rift Valley. All these lakes not only provide scenic beauty but also support diverse ecosystems.

Index of Lakes Around Kenya



Baringo County - Lake Bogoria, Lake Baringo, Lake Kamnarok, Garissa County - Lake Ishaqbini, Homa Bay County - Lake Simbi Nyaima, Kajiado County - Lake Magadi, Lake Amboseli, Lake Natron, Kisii County - Lake Okari, Lamu County - Lake Kenyatta, Lake Moa, Kisumu County - Lake Victoria, Meru County - Lake Thai, Lake Nkunga, Lake Ellis, Lake Michaelson, Lake Rutundu, Lake Alice, Magado Lake, Nakuru County - Lake Solai, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Lake Oloiden, Crater Lake, Lake Elementaita, Nyandarua County - Lake Olbolosat, Siaya County - Lake Sare, Lake Namboyo, Lake Bob, Lake Kanyaboli, Taita Taveta - Lake Jipe, Lake Chala, Tana River County - Lake Shakababo, Turkana County - Lake Logipi, Lake Turkana, Lake Alablab, Wajir County - Lake Yahud

Lamu County is one of Kenya’s most unique and enchanting regions, known for its rich Swahili culture, pristine beaches, and UNESCO-listed heritage. Located on the northern coast of Kenya, it consists of a group of islands (Lamu, Manda, Pate, and Kiwayu) and a stretch of mainland coastline. Lamu Island in particular is more than just a destination—it’s a living piece of Swahili history and coastal paradise.

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Explore Destinations Nearby Lake Moa

A Guide to Lamu County

A Summa Digest of Lamu

About Lamu Way Back When

70 Destinations in Lamu County, arranged as one would visit these - west, south, north then west - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:

Delta Dunes Lodge, Lake Moa, Old Town Witu, Witu Forest Reserve, Pangani Swamp, Lake Kiboko, Amu Ranch, Lake Amu, Kipini Conservancy, Lake Kenyatta, Amu Baharini Beach, Kizuke Beach, Lamu (Manda) Port, Red Pepper House, Lamu Island, Matondoni Dau Workshop, Matondoni Ruins, Tusitiri Dhow, Kipungani Ruins, Kizingoni Beach, Old Town Lamu, Lamu World Heritage Sector, Lamu Museum, The Swahili House Museum, German Post Office Museum, Lamu Fort, Lamu Market, Masjid Khoja Ithnasheri, Masjid Riyadha, House of Habib Swaleh, The Mosque College Lamu, Lamu Catholic Church, Tamarind Tree Cafe, Donkey Sanctuary, The Floating Bar, Boat Rides, MaraRaha, Kijani Hotel, Shela Village, Friday Masjid, Forodhani House, Peponi Hotel, Shela Beach, Bahari Restaurant, Fort at Shela, Ras Kitau, Diamond Village, The Maljis, Takwa Ruins, Manda Island, Manda Lodge, Manda Toto, Manda Coral Quarry, Nabahani Ruins, Pate Island, Shanga Ruins, Siyu Fort, Shindamweh, Atu Ruins, Chundwa Ruins, Faza Village, Lamu Monuments, Mangrove Forests, Dodori National Reserve, Kiunga Marine N. Reserve, Kiwayu Island, Ashuwei, Boni Forest National Reserve, Ishakani Ruins, Lamu Festivals

Know More About Lamu County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments

What’s The Air Like In Lamu?

Lamu County lies along the Equatorial Climate System, enjoying two rainy seasons and temperatures between 24°C and 30°C year round – Hottest in December & April

What’s The Lay Of The Land In C.05?

Lamu is composed of a coastal zone of 65 islands, vast creeks, bays, sand bars and mangrove. Among these, Lamu Island, hosting Lamu Town, is the bussiest. The mainland is flat to undulating.