Bajuni Islands

The Bajuni Islands lie of the coast of Southern Somalia.

Understand

The Bajuni Islands consist of six main islands along with a string of smaller islands. The larger islands are Chandra, Chovaye, Chula, Koyama, Darakasi and Ngumi. According to C. Wightwick Haywood, a British official in Kismayo who visited the islands in 1913, the only inhabited islands in the chain were Chovaye and Chula. Maize, millet, sweet potatoes and coconuts were grown on the islands, and dhows were used for transportation. While there, Haywood saw ruins of what he described as a "fair-sized town" on Chovaye.

The islands are today mainly inhabited by the eponymous Bajuni people. Chula, where the village of Ndowa is situated, is the only island with a significant population. The islands are beautiful: mostly deserted, scattered with ruins, surrounded by turquoise waters and coral reefs. They're also almost entirely unknown to the outside world.

Get in

If Somalia ever stabilises, get to Kismayo and arrange transportation by boat. As of 2023, Somalia has not stabilised. There is some local tourism to the islands, however.

See and do

• Diving. The reefs are untouched. Rumour has it you can find Somalis in Kenya who can arrange to get you there. Good luck.
• Explore the ruins. They're everywhere
• Swim. The islands are ringed with beaches.

Sleep

Although there is a village on Chula, you'll almost certainly need to camp.

Go next

• Kismayo