Lake Malawi beaches

Lake Malawi beaches

In terms of dimensions, Lake Malawi doesn’t mess around. At over 500km long and up to 84km wide, it can feel more like a sea than a lake. But the lake is not tidal (making life more straightforward), and the water is usually calm.

Lake Malawi beaches are wide expanses of golden beaches. As a free-standing beach holiday – offering kayaking, diving, snorkelling, sailing and just chilling out – Lake Malawi can certainly hold its own. Over 1,000 species of fish occur in the lake, including the colourful endemic cichlids. So, snorkelling and diving are popular pastimes.

The most developed part of Lake Malawi is the compact southern stretch from the Shire River to Cape Maclear. The Lake Malawi National Park, centred on the northern tip of Nankhumba Peninsula, was the world’s first underwater freshwater National Park. The calm, protected waters are great for snorkelling and diving. You can kayak between offshore islands or stay in “castaway” style on one of the prettier islands at Mumbo Island Camp. Or you can stay in more luxury at Pumulani Lodge which offers the perfect beach holiday after a Zambian safari.

Much further north is the island of Likoma, accessible by daily charter flight from Lilongwe. Though it lies to the east, on the Mozambican side of the lake, it belongs to Malawi. Here, the Lake Malawi beaches are protected little romantic coves. Kaya Mawa lies on the tip of Likoma Island whilst Nkwichi Lodge lies on the Mozambiquan shoreline but is also accessed via Likoma Island.