My Island Stay at Daltons Banana Guesthouse | Sierra Leone

Welcome to the Banana Islands! One of the best things you can do in Sierra Leone is visit the Banana Islands. The last time I was there, I stayed at Daltons Banana Guesthouse, an affordable accommodation directly on the beachfront.

It’s a coincidence it has my last name, and it’s completely unrelated to me. However, I’ll admit its namesake contributed to my decision to stay there rather than one of the other accommodations on the island, and I’m happy to say I had a great time!

If you’re thinking of visiting Banana Island and wondering where to rest your head, I’ve written this review guide to share with you my experience at Daltons Banana Guesthouse. 

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Is It Worth Staying Overnight At Daltons Banana Guesthouse | Sierra Leone 

*I stayed at Daltons Banana Guesthouse on a sponsored trip; however, all opinions are my own.

To get started, I just want to say that we had a fantastic trip. I always recommend visiting the Banana Islands if you’re heading to Sierra Leone.

As for Daltons Banana Guesthouse, I really can’t fault them, so I’m confident in saying that it is somewhere worth visiting. But let me tell you why.

Dalton’s Guesthouse is a budget-friendly accommodation with all the basic amenities. There’s a restaurant, a bar, a private beach, water activities, and even the accommodations themselves, which are cute beach bungalows; you also have the option of tents. The staff are beyond helpful and kind, the food is delicious, and the atmosphere is relaxing. It’s the perfect place to escape the chaos that is Sierra Leone!

Let’s Talk More About The Accommodation

Upon arriving, the manager greeted us and showed us around the site. Since it was mid-week and quiet, they gave my dad and me two separate bungalows. They were pretty similar, but my dad had a sofa in his, and mine didn’t, no matter, as I spent most of my time daydreaming in the hammock and dipping in and out of the ocean.

The bungalows are set just meters from the beach, in a great location. They are very simple, but what more do you need?

There was running water—it was cold, but that was lovely since the temperature was so hot. There was a clean and comfy double bed with a mosquito net. Although my room was a little dark, my dad had wonderful natural lighting. The inside was cool as well. There’s no fan or anything, but you won’t need one as it’s quite breezy once you open the windows (I was there in early April; this might not be the case all year round).

The guesthouse utilises solar power, and all the electricity on site is powered by it, including the fridges, so you’ll be able to get cold drinks! They also have their own water well, painstakingly bored through the basalt rock to provide an unlimited clean water supply for washing, toilets, and showers. You can also drink it, although bottled water is available.

On-site, there is a restaurant with long communal tables and benches. Everyone here is a friend, or at least will be by the end of the day. There are tables and chairs dotted around, and plenty of hammocks swing between trees. For my dad and me, it was pure heaven, having spent a chaotic week in Freetown trying to organise documents for our pending West African road trip!

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Where is Daltons Banana Guesthouse?

The guesthouse is located on the north side of the east end of Banana Island, closer to the mainland. It’s quite sheltered among the trees, and you can reach it via a local fishing canoe or by arranging to pick it up by the resort’s private boat from Kent Beach. 

As for the Banana Islands themselves, you’ll find them off the coast of Yawri Bay. It’s south of the Freetown Peninsula and takes about an hour to drive. A visit to the Banana Islands is definitely one of my top recommendations for any trip to Sierra Leone.

We chose the local fishing canoes for a bit more fun, but instead of dropping us at the resort, they dropped us about a 10-minute walk from the guest house at Kings Wharf. It was fine for me, but my dad struggled.

If you have any walking difficulties, be sure to get dropped at the private pier of Daltons Banana Guesthouse! Nevertheless, it was a lovely walk for me through the forest and the island’s main village – Dublin.

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When To Visit The Banana Islands

Since Sierra Leone has a tropical climate, half of the year experiences a monsoon season while the other is dry. For the Banana Islands, it’s best to visit during the dry season, although Daltons Banana Guesthouse is open all year long. 

If you’re wondering what you can expect from the seasons in Sierra Leone, just think about any tropical place you’ve been to that experiences a wet and dry period. It’s gonna be pretty much the same.

The Wet Season in Sierra Leone, the monsoon, starts around early June and begins with short, intense bursts. Around August, the rains are at their heaviest, often raining throughout the day and night. Nighttime seems to have the heaviest downpours, thunderstorms really, but then it starts tapering off around late September, ending in October.

During this time, the crossing between Kent Beach and the Banana Islands can be quite treacherous, and I strongly advise against visiting during this period, especially from late July through September.

⭐ Pro tip >> From November to January, the Harmattan Wind blows a cool breeze from the Sahara through Sierra Leone, making it ideal for visiting the Banana Islands.

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How Many Days Do I Recommend Staying On Banana Island Sierra Leone

We stayed only one night, and it wasn’t enough; ideally, two to three nights would have been better. When I talked to Greg, the owner, he told me that most people book for a couple of nights but end up staying a few more. The place really is idyllic. 

However, I think three to four nights is plenty to recoup and enjoy the island vibes. There’s lots to do in terms of water activities and island exploration, but it is rather isolated, and for me, well, I just really enjoy the buzz of Freetown.

⭐ Pro tip >> Most people also visit during the weekend, especially the locals. They come on Friday and head back on Sunday. If you’re hoping to find more atmosphere, a weekend visit is best. For peaceful downtime, consider the weekdays. Unless it’s a holiday period, the guesthouse doesn’t usually become too crowded; there aren’t so many rooms available. 

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Are You Wondering About The Activities? Here’s What You Can Do

There are tons of activities to do at Dalton’s Banana Guesthouse, and that’s one of the main reasons I chose to visit here instead of one of the other accommodations. That and the fact that it’s a bargain!

Greg will tell you that his guesthouse offers the most water activities on this side of West Africa, and he isn’t joking. 

“The aim of Banana Island Excursions is to capture the interest of travellers who want to explore the island through experience-based activities”.

Here’s a quick list of activities offered at the guesthouse:

• Water Activities: Snorkeling and scuba diving, kayaking, SUP boarding, sport fishing and tubing. 
• Boat Excursions: Whale migration, scenic boat tours, island excursions (Turtle Islands)
• Land Activities: Forest walk, historical tour of the island.

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How Much Money Do You Need To Budget?

Since Daltons Banana Guesthouse is a budget-friendly accommodation, your visit is going to be much more affordable than you think! That said, it’s worth keeping in mind that your overall expenses to Sierra Leone are likely to be quite high.

For a two-night trip including three activities, you should budget around 4,100 leones (that’s under $200!).

Let’s take a closer look at the breakdown:

• Transport to Kent Beach 400 leones 
• Boat transfer 700 leones x group (4) (return)
• Accommodation per night for 2 standard rooms – includes 2 meals – 1,300 leones
• Historic tour 100 leones x 1 person
• Snorkeling 1,000 leones x 2 people
• Scenic boat trip 600 leones x 1 group (4)

*At the time of writing, the exchange rate is around 24 leones per USA $.

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Why I Chose Daltons Banana Guesthouse On My Visit To Banana Island 

The first time I visited Banana Island, some 10 years ago, we passed by the guesthouse, and although I don’t remember too much of it, I do remember thinking I’d like to stay here one day.

Fast-forward 10 years, and the opportunity arose, and here I am, lying in my hammock, looking out over the water. Initially, I had looked at the other accommodations; there are a few on the island, but Daltons Banana Guesthouse looked like a little bit of me. It also shares my surname, so it’s a novelty, too.

I was planning on doing some snorkeling and kayaking while I was there. The scenic boat tour also sounded interesting, so I thought I might do that as well. However, as it turned out, I was so tired that all I wanted to do was laze around in a hammock. So, that’s what I did. 

I went on a historical tour, which I found interesting. It’s not too long, maybe an hour, and my guide was fantastic, answering all the questions I had. The island was used during the slave trade to hold captives, so there’s some sad history here. My guide also offered to take me to Ricketts Island to see a bridge, but in the end, it was too far, and if I’m honest, I couldn’t be bothered; back to my hammock, I went!

In hindsight, I probably shouldn’t have been so lazy as to be able to advise you if it’s worth it or not…apologies! 

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Essential Sierra Leone Travel Resources

I’ve created a packing list to help make life easier for you and relieve the stress of packing. This useful resource is perfect for any trip to Sierra Leone.

Below are some of our most popular articles:

• I think Sierra Leone is a great country, but read this article for more reasons to visit.
• If you’ve already decided to visit, read this guide about what to expect when you arrive at Lungi Airport.
• My other favourite place to visit in Sierra Leone is the chimpanzee sanctuary on the outskirts of Freetown. Plan your visit with my visitor’s guide here.
• If you are going to the sanctuary, I loved staying overnight in the forest retreat, so I wrote a review.

⭐ Pro tip >> If you’re going to be using your phone, don’t forget about overseas data roaming. You’ll get charged for using your data. Try Airalo’s eSIMs and download a digital data pack. It’s quick and easy; great if you’re in a hurry.

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Final Thoughts | Why I Loved At Dalton’s Banana Guesthouse

Do I think Daltons Banana Guesthouse is worth visiting? Of course I do! It’s a fantastic place, just don’t expect luxury and you won’t be disappointed. 

It’s got everything you need. I sure didn’t want anything while I was visiting, and you’ll be able to get a cold beer! The fresh juices are great, too, and the cook is superb. She makes fantastic food. We had freshly caught fish, deliciously crispy, for lunch, and it was superb.

For an easy trip, I recommend booking the resort’s own boat; negotiating the price for the canoes was a challenge, and we had to wait quite a while. 

Keep in mind that the rooms can get hot if you don’t open the windows, and you’ll need lots of bug spray and sunscreen, but otherwise, Daltons Guesthouse in Sierra Leone is a wonderfully chill place to while away a few days!