Located in the northern part of the Kenyan coast, strectching from the Boteler Islands to 20Km north of Kiunga. The coastal area is made up of scrublands and mangroves surrounded by microscopic Marine plands and dugong grass.
The marine ecosystem incorporates a chain of about 50 calcareous offshore islands and coral reefs in the Lamu Archipelago, running for some 60km parallel to the coastline and adjacent to Dodori and Boni National Reserves on the mainland. The larger and more sheltered inner islands are covered with tangled thorny vegetation including grass, aloes and creepers. The small outer islands provide nesting sites for migratory seabirds. The reserve conserves valuable coral reefs, sea grass and extensive mangrove forests and is also a refuge for sea turtles and dugongs. Dugongs resemble large sea lions and have almost been hunted into extinction, making them one of the rarest sea mammals.
Major wildlife attractions include reptiles such as sea turtles, the olive ridley, and reef fish. Lobsters, sea urchins, and sea stars are also frequently sighted in the Reserve. It is an important site for wind surfing, diving, snorkelling, water skiing and sunbathing.