Nairobi, June 30 -- It is 4pm and a fully packed wooden dhow sets out from the ancient stone town of Lamu into the Indian Ocean at Ras Kitau. As the dhow sails past Shella, a large banner unfurls from its mast: 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY'. On board, a group of friends breaks into song.

Such scenes have become increasingly common along Kenya's Coast, particularly in Lamu, Malindi, Watamu and Kilifi, as Kenyans and foreign visitors hire traditional dhows to host parties in the middle of Indian Ocean.

In Lamu, the parties mostly happen in Shella, Manda, Ras Kitau, Kipungani and Kiwayu islands.

Kristina Emil, a tourist from Norway, is among the growing number of foreigners drawn to the trend. A frequent visitor to Kenya's Coast, she chose Lamu's Ras ...