Scuba Dive Lake Malawi

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David Livingstone called it Nyassa and it is known as the “Lake of the Stars” to tourists and locals. Lake Malawi drains an area of more than 126,500 km2, which is a little larger than Malawi. Livingstone referred to the "blue waters" but at times the lake is orange or any other colour. Nyasa means "iridescent" and at night it becomes "The Lake of Stars". The waters are calm, warm and inviting to tourists, divers and Malawians.

After such a positive historical connotation, Lake Malawi has received negative publicity in the USA as it gained a reputation as a health hazard. Bilharzia was found in the area and it is a disease that can be contracted by bathing in water in which snails act as host to tiny parasites. These microscopic worms can infect humans through the skin, but the reed-free areas near the hotels on the lake can be considered safe. Precautions should be taken in those areas where clearance has not been carried out but it can be prevented by taking medication and should not put off anyone considering a holiday in Malawi. Since the 1990's there have been considerable improvements to the infrastructure such as the Lakeshore Road (M5) and the small airstrips at Club Makokola and at Salima.

Lake Malawi National Park was the world's first freshwater reserve which consisted of a section of the lake, a group of islands and the surrounding lakeshore. There are uncrowded beaches and a range of activities which include fishing, scuba diving, water skiing, wind surfing, sailing or swimming for tourists.