The Îles de Los

Just off the coast from the capital Conakry lie the Îles de Los, a cluster of small, green tropical islands that offer an easy and beloved escape from the bustle and heat of the city. Reached by a short boat trip, islands like Roume, Kassa and Fotoba are fringed with sandy beaches, palm groves and clear water, dotted with fishing villages and a few simple guesthouses, and cloaked in lush vegetation. Once a British base with a colonial and, historically, slave-trade past, they now draw locals and visitors for weekend relaxation, swimming, fresh seafood and a laid-back island atmosphere, a lovely and accessible complement to a stay in Conakry.

History

The name comes from the Portuguese Ilhas dos Ídolos, "islands of the idols", and the islands were long home to Baga people speaking the Kaloum dialect. In 1755 Miles Barber of the African Company of Liverpool set up a trading post here, and the islands became a hub of the Atlantic slave trade; in 1812 the Dutch slave trader Samuel Samo was seized here by the British and became the first person tried under the Slave Trade Felony Act of 1811. The islands were ceded to Britain by a treaty of 6 July 1818, and under the Entente Cordiale of 7 April 1904 they passed to France in exchange for French fishing rights off Newfoundland (Wikipedia, Îles de Los).

The landscape

• The beaches - the sandy shores and clear water.
• The green islands - the forested, palm-covered isles.
• The fishing villages - the local island communities.
• The relaxed atmosphere - the laid-back weekend-escape vibe.

When to go

November to April, the dry season, for the best weather and calmest seas for the boat trip and beaches; the islands are a popular weekend escape from Conakry, liveliest at weekends and quieter midweek. The short boat crossing from the capital makes them an easy day trip or relaxed overnight.

Things to know

The Îles de Los are modest, developing islands with simple facilities and beaches that, while pleasant, are not pristine, so their appeal is an easy, relaxed escape from Conakry, swimming and fresh seafood rather than luxury or spectacular scenery; the islands also carry a difficult colonial and slave-trade history. As a lovely, accessible and laid-back island getaway just off the capital, though, with beaches, greenery and a relaxed vibe, the Îles de Los are a delightful complement to a visit to Guinea.

Nearby

The capital Conakry and the Atlantic coast are just across the water.

Key facts