Ferry services at Likoni - Kenya have been around since 1937, and have played a pivotal role in linking the island to the mainland south of Mombasa, in effect offering the one and only infrastructural lifeline between the two areas. It is therefore the the backbone of all the communications, and economic development. Unlike the nothern side of Mombasa that is linked by bridges at Nyali, Mtwapa Kilifi and Sabaki the south coast depends solely on the ferries.

The crafts used in the early years were mere pontoons driven by motor boats on either side and extensively used human labour to help them land. Vehicle and passenger carrying capacities were ridiculously low. The alternative crossing was by canoes. This practice is still in vogue at Lamu. Such canoes do not provide for the transportation of vehicles.

The Kenya Ferry Services today provides a service that caters for both human and vehicular traffic. The structural design of the ferries has seen such tremendous improvement over the years culminating in the modern ferries operated today.

The service is operated freely for passengers as a government social obligation and motorists pay a minimal charge.