Culture · History · The Gambia
Kunta Kinteh Island (James Island), The Gambia
Kunta Kinteh Island — known for most of its history as James Island — is a small island in the River Gambia, roughly 30 km upstream from Banjul, opposite the villages of Albreda and Juffureh on the north bank. The ruined fort on the island was a key European trading post for more than a century, including in the Atlantic slave trade. Together with several sites on the river banks it is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is one of the most visited, and most sobering, places in the country.
Quick facts
- Where: in the River Gambia estuary, off Albreda and Juffureh in the North Bank Region.
- Status: UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 2003 as “James Island and Related Sites”, renamed Kunta Kinteh Island and Related Sites.
- Renamed: in 2011, after Kunta Kinte of Juffureh, the ancestor at the heart of Alex Haley’s Roots.
- Access: by boat only, usually on a guided day trip.
- Pairs with: Juffureh and Albreda, Fort Bullen at Barra.
- Find it: on our interactive map.
A short history of the island
The first fort was built by settlers from the Duchy of Courland (in present-day Latvia), who established a foothold on the river around 1651 and called the island St Andrew’s Island. The English took it in 1661 and renamed it James Island, after James, Duke of York. Over the following century and a half the fort changed hands and was attacked, captured, damaged and rebuilt several times during conflicts between the British and French, and it was also raided by privateers.
Its location mattered. The island commanded the navigable river at a point where ships trading upstream had to pass, and it became a centre for trade in goods such as gold, ivory, beeswax and hides — and in enslaved African people, who were held on the island before being shipped across the Atlantic. The fort was eventually abandoned in the late 18th century.
After Britain abolished its slave trade in 1807, the British presence on the river turned towards stopping other nations’ ships from carrying enslaved people. Bathurst (today’s Banjul) was founded in 1816 at the mouth of the river, and gun positions such as the Six-Gun Battery in Banjul and Fort Bullen at Barra were built to control the estuary. These sites are now part of the same World Heritage listing, so the property tells both stories: the trade itself and the later efforts to suppress it. For the wider context, see our history of The Gambia.
The UNESCO listing and the related sites
UNESCO recognises the island and its related sites as testimony to the encounter between Africa and Europe along the River Gambia, from before the colonial period to independence, and to the beginning and end of the slave trade. The listed components are:
| Site | Where | What you see |
|---|---|---|
| Kunta Kinteh Island | In the river off Albreda | Ruins of the fort walls and bastions, a few old trees |
| Albreda | North bank | Former French trading post; colonial-era buildings |
| Juffureh | North bank, next to Albreda | Village associated with Kunta Kinte; museum on the slave trade |
| San Domingo | North bank, near Albreda | Remains associated with early Portuguese presence |
| Fort Bullen | Barra, at the river mouth | 19th-century fort built to control the estuary |
| Six-Gun Battery | Banjul | Gun emplacement near Arch 22 and the State House |
The Gambia’s other World Heritage property, the Wassu and Kerbatch stone circles, is far upriver and much older.
Erosion: a shrinking island
The island you visit today is a fraction of its former size. Centuries of river currents and tides have eaten away at its banks, and parts of the original fortifications have already been lost to the water. Protective works have been carried out at various times, and erosion is regularly cited as the main threat to the site’s survival. What remains is a compact cluster of ruined walls, gun positions and foundations — small enough to walk round quickly, but powerful in its setting in the middle of the wide, brown river.
How to visit
There are two common ways to reach the island:
- River excursion from the Banjul area. Many tour operators run full-day “Roots” trips by boat, typically combining the island, Albreda and Juffureh, with lunch and time on the river. This is the easiest option if you are staying on the coast.
- By road via Barra. Take the ferry from Banjul to Barra (see our river crossings guide), then continue by road along the north bank to Albreda and Juffureh. From there, local boats make the short crossing to the island. Arrange the boat and a guide on arrival, and confirm the price before setting off.
An entrance or heritage fee is normally charged for the island and the museum; amounts change, so check locally or with your tour operator. Boat crossings depend on tides and weather, and the river can be choppy — wear a life jacket if one is offered, and keep cameras and phones in a waterproof bag.
The dry season (roughly November to May) is the most comfortable time to visit. Bring sun protection and water: there is little shade on the island. The best time to visit guide covers the seasons in more detail.
Visiting respectfully
This is a site of memory for many people, especially visitors of African descent tracing their heritage. A few simple habits help:
- Walk only on paths and do not climb on the ruined walls, which are fragile.
- Keep voices down and give space to people who may be having a personal or emotional visit.
- Ask before photographing people, including villagers and performers at Juffureh.
- Use a registered local guide; their knowledge adds a great deal and supports the community.
- Buy crafts or refreshments locally rather than giving money to children.
Our responsible tourism guide and language and etiquette guide have more tips.
Combining the island with Juffureh and Albreda
Most people visit the island as part of a wider day on the north bank. In Juffureh you can visit the museum on the history of the slave trade and, often, meet members of the Kinte family. Albreda has older trading buildings and a flagpole linked by local tradition to the idea of freedom for those who reached it. Our Juffureh and Roots tourism guide covers the villages, and the day trips guide suggests how to fit the trip into a stay on the coast. If you are interested in the music and oral history of the region, the kora and griots guide explains the tradition that preserved stories like Kunta Kinte’s.
Frequently asked questions
Why was James Island renamed Kunta Kinteh Island?
The island was renamed in 2011 in honour of Kunta Kinte, the ancestor from nearby Juffureh whose story Alex Haley told in Roots. The new name centres the people who were enslaved rather than the European powers who built the fort.
Is Kunta Kinteh Island a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Yes. It was inscribed in 2003 as part of “James Island and Related Sites”, now called Kunta Kinteh Island and Related Sites, together with Albreda, Juffureh, San Domingo, Fort Bullen and the Six-Gun Battery.
How do you get to Kunta Kinteh Island?
By boat. Many visitors join a river excursion from the Banjul area, while others cross to Barra by ferry, drive to Albreda and Juffureh, and take a short boat ride from there.
Can you stay overnight on Kunta Kinteh Island?
No. The island is small, has no facilities for overnight stays and is visited on guided day trips, usually combined with Juffureh and Albreda.
Why is the island getting smaller?
River currents and tidal action have eroded its shores for centuries, and it is now much smaller than when the fort was built. Erosion is the main threat to the remaining ruins.
How long does a visit take?
Time on the island itself is usually short, often under an hour, but a full day is typical once you add the boat journey, Juffureh and Albreda.
What to read next
- Juffureh and Roots tourism — the village across the water.
- History of The Gambia — the wider story from empires to independence.
- Wassu Stone Circles — The Gambia's other UNESCO World Heritage site.
- The River Gambia — boat trips, wildlife and river life.
- Banjul city guide — the Six-Gun Battery and the capital.
- Responsible tourism — visiting heritage sites well.