

The untampered Likoma Island is surrounded by crystal clear waters, sandy beaches, and an abundance of cichlids – some of which are endemic of the Likoma area.
Likoma Island is the larger of two inhabited islands in Lake Malawi, the smaller being the nearby Chizumulu.
The island lies in the north-eastern corner of Lake Malawi on Mozambican waters.
Likoma and Chizumulu both belong to Malawi, and together they make up the Likoma District.
Although both islands lie just 7kms west of Cobue, Mozambique, and are entirely surrounded by Mozambican territorial waters, they are both exclaves of Malawi.
The University Mission to Central Africa (David Livingstone’s mission) set up their headquarters on Likoma in the 1880s in part to try to fight the slave trade that used routes across Lake Malawi.
Because of this history, Likoma was retained by Malawi when the Lake was divided politically after World War II and the waters around it became Mozambican.
The island is only 18km², and has one town, Likoma Town, here you will find Central Africa’s third largest cathedral, St Peter’s.
Access to Likoma is currently by boat or aircraft. The airstrip has been upgraded in recent years though most visitors still arrive courtesy of the venerable Ilala ferry.
Bearing in mind the size of Likoma Island there isn’t an endless number of things to do, however, you will find some breathtaking experiences.
Diving off the island is good and you will be able to swim with the brightly coloured cichlids. There are over 20 dive sites around Likoma Island for you to explore.
Another water based activity, boat trips; you can take boat trips around the island, to the nearby Chizumulu Island or to neighbouring Mozambique.
If you want to explore the island and visit the various island villages, you can on foot, alternatively you can seek a thrill and hire a mountain bike or quad-bike.
Whilst on your excursion be sure to visit the old Baobab on the New Market Place. Nowadays, the baobab is hollow and sometimes used as a storeroom.
See more of Likoma Island here.