Some of the best things about Lake Malawi are the crystal clear fresh water and abundant marine life.
The lake spans nearly the entire length of the Malawi and is Africa’s third largest lake, making it a treasure trove of great places to snorkel and dive.
Here are a few tips on where to go snorkeling and diving there.
One of the top destinations are the dive sites of Cape Maclear at the southern end of the lake. The area features a small archipelago of twelve islands full of tropical fish hiding just off shore.
Mumbo Island is also one of the top places to go and boasts some of the clearest water in the world. While there, you’ll find a a maze of underwater boulders and countless amounts of colorful cichlid fish.
If you’re doubling up a trip around Lilongwe, a great escape is to head over to the sandy shores of Nkhotakota, there are plenty of small resorts here to accommodate you.
Other great places to go are the Likoma and Chisumulu Islands, they are only accessible by boat or aircraft, but a twice weekly ferry can you take you over to the islands. There’s also an enormous cathedral on Likoma which is worth exploring to get a bit of a history and culture fix before getting wet.
Before heading out to any of these destinations, be aware that some areas primarily cater to tourists, so watch your budget — many can be quite expensive.
And for those that are interested in scuba diving (but aren’t certified) there are several places to do so.
Certified operators and instructors can be found all along the length of the lake and most mid-sized resorts offer courses ranging from a few days to a week.
Most resorts and centers also offer gear rental, so there is no need to pack your own.
