Travel deep dive

The Loos Islands: Beach Days a Boat Ride from the Capital

The Loos Islands — the Îles de Los — lie off the tip of the peninsula that carries Conakry, close enough that the capital stays in view across the water. Three of them are visited: Kassa, Roume and Tamara. Motorised pirogues cross to them from Boulbinet, the fishing port at the city's tip. For people in the capital they are the place for a day on the sand under the palms, and a simple room on the islands turns the day into a night.

Updated 2026-10-05

Kassa, the nearest island

Kassa lies closest to the city, and its short crossing makes it the usual choice for a day out. Its beaches are backed by palms. On Sundays the boats from the capital bring families over and the beaches fill; on a weekday the same sand is quiet.

Roume and its sheltered coves

Roume is smaller and quieter than Kassa, an island of sheltered coves and palm-backed sand where the day is spent between the beach and the shade. It is said to be the island that gave Robert Louis Stevenson the setting of Treasure Island.

Tamara, the largest island

Tamara is the largest of the islands and lies farther from the city than Kassa, so a day there starts with an early boat. It is the island for a walk as much as a beach: paths lead to its old lighthouse, which looks out over the open sea, and the walk is best made before the midday heat.

Food, water and cash for the day

The island meal is grilled fish, cooked at simple places along the beaches where the boats land. Water and cash in Guinean francs go along for the day, enough for the meal and the boat back.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to the Loos Islands from Conakry?

By motorised pirogue, an open boat, from Boulbinet, the fishing port in Kaloum at the tip of the peninsula. The fare and the time of the return are agreed before boarding. The crossing to the nearer islands takes well under an hour, and the sea is calmest in the dry season, roughly November to April.

Which of the Loos Islands should I choose for a day?

It depends on the day you want. Kassa has the shortest crossing and is the easiest first visit, lively on a Sunday; Roume suits a quieter day in its coves; Tamara pairs the beach with a walk to the lighthouse and wants an early start for the longer crossing. On a weekday any of the three is quiet.

Can I stay overnight on the islands?

Yes. Kassa and Roume have simple places to stay, and a room is best settled before crossing rather than looked for on arrival. A night means a boat back the next day, so the day and the time of the return are agreed with the boatman before setting out.

Part of the Guinea travel guide.

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