Likoma

Likoma is a small island town in Lake Malawi, part of Malawi's Northern Region and the administrative seat of Likoma District. Although it lies within Mozambican waters, the island belongs to Malawi and is known for its lakeside beaches, baobab trees and unhurried atmosphere. The main settlement, also called Likoma, centres on the ferry landing, market and airstrip.

The island's most striking landmark is St Peter's Cathedral, a large Gothic-style Anglican church built in the early 1900s and said to have been modelled on Winchester Cathedral. The building towers over the town and remains an unusual sight in this remote lakeside setting, alongside village churches, sandy coves and baobab groves.

Daily life on Likoma revolves around fishing, small-scale trade and a growing tourism sector. Kaya Mawa is the best-known lakeside lodge on the island's southwest tip, while simpler guesthouses near the main town offer budget-friendly stays. Visitors come for swimming, snorkelling, boat trips and the chance to experience a slower island way of life.

Reaching Likoma is part of the journey. Likoma Island Airport receives light aircraft flights from Lilongwe, and the MV Ilala ferry links the island with mainland ports such as Nkhata Bay. With few paved roads, most travel on the island happens on foot, by bicycle or by boat.

Likoma attracts independent and leisure travellers looking for a quieter Lake Malawi experience, as well as business travellers and NGO staff visiting the district. Its blend of unusual colonial history, lakeside scenery and genuine local culture makes it one of Malawi's most distinctive destinations.