Major city · Sierra Leone
Banana Islands
Two nights on the islands, not a day trip: the boat schedule and island pace reward an overnight stay. A day trip from Freetown is possible but rushed.
Banana Islands are a pair of forested islands 40 km south of Freetown, reachable by local boat from Kent or a hired speedboat. There are no cars, two small fishing villages (Dublin and Ricketts), and a handful of guesthouses. The draw is quiet beaches, snorkelling, sport fishing, and a walking tour of colonial ruins — two churches, a cemetery, a fort, and a slaver's house. Most visitors stay two nights, which gives time for a historical walk, a snorkel trip, and a lazy beach day.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- SLE
- Best months
- November–April (dry season)
- avoid May–October (rainy season; boats may be cancelled)
- Airport
- FNA
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- Sierra Leone ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Sierra Leone government sources before booking.
- Sierra Leone ↗Book the Lungi–Freetown crossing (water taxi or ferry) before you land, and check how the operator handles late arrivals.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Banana Islands019 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Banana Islands, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Sierra Leonean leone (SLE), redenominated in 2022 (1 new leone = 1,000 old); old prices are still sometimes quoted in thousands.Sierra Leone-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange and Africell sell SIMs with passport registration.Sierra Leone-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap.Sierra Leone-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 10% if no service charge.Sierra Leone-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets D/G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Sierra Leone-wide
- SafetyThe islands are safe and the community is welcoming.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants; very basic elsewhere.Sierra Leone-wide
- Emergency numbers019 police · 019 fire · 019 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysFriday afternoon prayers and Sunday church slow the city; offices close on all holidays.Sierra Leone-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportFNA Lungi International Airport (Then taxi and ferry to Freetown (1–2 h), then onward to Kent (1–1.5 h by road).).
- Getting aroundOn foot or by boat — no vehicles on the islands.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedGuesthouse room (double), a night, per roomSLE 250,000
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse room (double), a night, per roomSLE 400,000
- High-end bedGuesthouse room (double), a night, per roomSLE 700,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget SLE 300,000 · Mid SLE 500,000 · High SLE 800,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- FNA Lungi International Airport (Then taxi and ferry to Freetown (1–2 h), then onward to Kent (1–1.5 h by road).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jul (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Aug (24 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Banana Islands: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
2 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
5 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
22 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
24 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
20 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On foot or by boat — no vehicles on the islands. The two villages are a 20-minute walk apart.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
- Freetown full guide41 km (25 mi)25 mi (41 km) north of Banana Islands
From Freetown: Boat from the peninsula, about 1–2 h (check) · Full day or overnight
- Conakry full guide170 km (106 mi)106 mi (170 km) north of Banana Islands
- Monrovia full guide330 km (205 mi)205 mi (330 km) south-east of Banana Islands
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 2–3 h
Boat to Kent, then shared taxi or minibus to Freetown (1–1.5 h)
Combine with a peninsula beach if you have time.
Bureh Beach
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Boat to Kent, then taxi (30 min)
Surf and community lodge — good for a day trip from the islands.
Tiwai Island
overnightDoor to door: About 4–5 h
Boat to Kent, then road to Tiwai (2–3 h), then boat to the island
Too far for a day trip; plan a separate 2-night stay.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Dublin village
All guesthouses are here: Daltons Banana Guest House and Banana Island Chalets. Walk to the beach and ruins.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- SLE 300,000–500,000 (≈ $12–20) excl. bed
- Mid
- SLE 500,000–800,000 (≈ $20–32) excl. bed
- High
- SLE 800,000+ (≈ $32+) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse room (double)1 × 2 nights × SLE 400,000 | SLE 800,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × SLE 500,000 | SLE 2,000,000 |
| Boat from Kent (return)2 × SLE 150,000 · check | SLE 300,000 |
| Snorkelling gear hire (per day)2 × SLE 50,000 · check | SLE 100,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × SLE 200,000 | SLE 400,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | SLE 360,000 |
| Trip total≈ SLE 990,000 per person per day, bed included | SLE 3,960,000 |
2026 estimate in leones (SLE); flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Boat from Kent (return)check | SLE 150,000 (≈ $6) |
| Guesthouse room per nightcheck | SLE 250,000–700,000 (≈ $10–28) |
| Meal at guesthousecheck | SLE 50,000–100,000 (≈ $2–4) |
| Snorkelling gear hire (per day)check | SLE 50,000 (≈ $2) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Boat schedules are informal: confirm your return time with the captain before you leave Kent.
- No ATM on the islands — bring enough leones for your stay and any tips.
- Rainy season (May–Oct) can cancel boats for days; have a buffer in your itinerary.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 019
- Fire
- 019
- Ambulance
- 019
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Banana IslandsBanana Islands
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Go Banana Islands, duyaTo Banana Islands, please
Emergency
- Police019
- Fire019
- Ambulance019
Embassy
Most embassies are in Freetown; check your country's list before departure.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Boat Kent → Banana Islands: about SLE 75,000 one way, 30–45 min (check)
- Taxi Freetown → Kent: SLE 200,000–300,000 (≈ $8–12)
Say or show
- Kushe — Hello (koo-sheh)
- Tenki — Thank you (ten-kee)
- Aw mota? — How much? (aw moh-tah)
- Yes / No — Yes / No (yes / no)
- Duya — Please (doo-yah)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Banana Islands. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: November–April (dry season) · avoid May–October (rainy season; boats may be cancelled) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for each guesthouse with verified contact numbers and rates.
- Walking-tour map with GPS pins for the fort, churches, cemetery, school, slaver's house.
- Boat schedule page with live WhatsApp numbers for captains.
- Snorkelling and dive site pages with seasonal visibility notes.
Sources
Ask about Banana Islands
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