Major city · Malawi
Likoma Island
Spend 2–3 days on Likoma Island to see the cathedral, snorkel and relax; arrive by ferry or small plane from Lilongwe.
Likoma Island offers quiet lake beaches, St. Peter's Cathedral and easy snorkeling. A short stay of 2–3 days lets you explore the main sights, enjoy water activities and soak up island life without rushing.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MWK
- Best months
- May–Nov
- avoid Dec–Feb (cooler, more rain)
- Airport
- LLW
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- Malawi ↗Malawi dropped its 2024 visa waiver for most Western passports in January 2026; confirm your rule on the official Malawi immigration e-visa portal before you book, not on agent sites.
- Malawi ↗Dress modestly away from lodges: shoulders and knees covered in villages and towns.
- Malawi ↗Do not photograph government buildings, police, the military or airports.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Likoma Island997 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Likoma Island, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Malawian kwacha (MWK).Malawi-wide
- SIM or eSIMAirtel and TNM are the two networks; tourist SIMs need passport registration at a branch or airport kiosk.Malawi-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap; lodges provide filtered water.Malawi-wide
- TippingLocal restaurant: Round up or 10% in tourist places.Malawi-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Malawi-wide
- SafetyLikoma is generally safe for visitors; crime is low but keep valuables secured and travel after dark only with a guide.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFlush toilets at lodges and hotels; pit latrines on the road.Malawi-wide
- Emergency numbers997 police · 998 ambulance · 999 fire
- Sundays & holidaysBanks and offices close on public holidays; lodges stay open.Malawi-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLLW Kamuzu International Airport, Lilongwe (FlyNyasa flights to Likoma aerodrome cost US$460).
- Getting aroundMoto‑taxi from the ferry terminal costs about 3000 K; the whole island can be hiked in a couple of hours.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LLW Kamuzu International Airport, Lilongwe (FlyNyasa flights to Likoma aerodrome cost US$460)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Dec
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: May–Nov. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jun (14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jun (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Likoma Island: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Apr
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Nov
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
11 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Moto‑taxi from the ferry terminal costs about 3000 K; the whole island can be hiked in a couple of hours.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Chizumulu Island
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
Small boat from Likoma harbour, about 30 min
Quiet sister island, good for a half‑day walk.
Door to door: ≈8 h
Ilala ferry (twice weekly) or Lemani boat, 7 h
Ferry often delayed; book cabin early.
Door to door: ≈2 h
FlyNyasa flight to Likoma aerodrome, ~1 h, then boat to mainland
Only a few flights per week; check schedule.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Mango Drift Lodge
Camping US$15, dorm US$19, double US$50; beachside, restaurant and snorkelling gear.
Ulisa Bay Lodge
Chalet US$62, dorm US$9, camping US$6; lake‑front terrace.
Chiponde Beach Resort
Family chalet US$60, small chalet US$45, treehouse US$15, camping US$10.
Pure Likoma
Double en‑suite US$200, superior double US$250; luxury.
Kaya Mawa
Standard rooms US$200+, luxury units up to US$600.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- MWK 30,000–45,000 excl. bed (check)
- Mid
- MWK 45,000–70,000 excl. bed (check)
- High
- MWK 70,000+ excl. bed (check)
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Ilala ferry cabin (Nkhata Bay → Likoma)twice weekly, check schedule | 14 650 K |
| Moto‑taxi ride from terminal to western coast | 3 000 K |
| Boat from Likoma to Nkhata Bay (Lemani) | 3 000 K |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ferry schedules are irregular and often delayed; book cabins early.
- Power switches to solar at ~22:00 for a few minutes each night.Power switches to solar at ~10:00 PM for a few minutes each night.
- Boat transfers from the terminal to the harbour require a small boat (≈1000 K).
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 997
- Ambulance
- 998
- Fire
- 999
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Likoma IslandLikoma Island
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Chonde ndi adilesi iyiTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police997
- Ambulance998
- Fire999
Embassy
US consular services are in Lilongwe; check the embassy page for details.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ilala ferry Likoma ↔ Nkhata Bay: Cabin 14 650 K one way (check schedule)
- Moto‑taxi terminal → west coast: ≈3 000 K
Say or show
- Pepani — Excuse me / Sorry
- Zikomo — Thank you
- Kodi ndi ndalama zingati? — How much is it?
- Kodi terminal ya ferry ili kuti? — Where is the ferry terminal?
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Likoma Island. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Nov · avoid Dec–Feb (cooler, more rain) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 5 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialFlyNyasa flight info
- secondaryIlala ferry details
- officialLikoma Express
- secondaryWikidata – Likoma Island coordinates
- secondaryWikivoyage: Likoma Island, revision 5089793 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Likoma Island
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