The Malawi Cichlids are some of the most brilliantly colored fishes. It is estimated there are over 800 species of Malawi cichlids. When you put on your mask and stick your head under the water you are welcomed by so many different colours, it looks fake. The small fish swarm around you in curiousty and display their fantastic bright yellows, fluorescent blues and glowing white colours with pride.

We spent 6 weeks in Malawi and decided to treat ourselves with a fun dive in Nhkata Bay, around 4h drive from Lilongwe. The water temperature was about 23c, the visibility about 7 meters (although it reaches 15 on a good day). The fish and rock formations make it a very memorable experience. There are large crayfish and many catfish to be spotted too. Unfortunately Max’s mask had fogged up so much, that he ended up diving without it as he could see more! Our diving guide noticed this and gave Max his own mask. 

Our home was Aqua Afrika in Nkhata bay, which is also one of the only PADI Scuba schools in the area. They offer all the usual courses and are great fun to hang around with. 

Apart from the Cichlids and rock formations there is not much else to see (compared to the Red Sear for example) so we would personally get more value for money doing some snorkeling and freediving. If you do intend on snorkling or freediving here, do make sure to bring your own mask/fins, as the local street sellers have not yet made use of this business opportunity…