10 Best Beach Resorts In Malawi - Updated 2024

Melanie
Melanie 
Updated
| 5 min read

Go on a trip to Malawi to experience a laid-back holiday next to nature. Located in southeastern Africa, Malawi is a beautiful country with attractions aplenty. Don’t miss the chance to visit Nyika National Park, the country’s largest national park with abundant flora and fauna. Another lovely attraction is Lake Malawi, a large freshwater lake spanning 300 mi (482.80 km). Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the lake is a popular spot for fishing, snorkelling, freshwater diving and exciting water sports.

Undoubtedly, Malawi is a less crowded tourist destination, making it ideal for travellers who prefer peace and privacy. If you love relaxing by the beach away from noisy crowds, scroll down for the best beach resorts in Malawi.

We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and access to beach. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on April 14, 2024.

1. Zaburi Beach by Serendib, Mangochi (from USD 270)

Bask in the sunshine on the private beach of Zaburi Beach by Serendib, a lovely beachfront resort in Mangochi. There are many activities for an enjoyable beach outing such as diving, snorkelling and fishing, among others.

For more adventures, enjoy refreshing swims in the indoor pool before soaking in the hot tub to soothe your muscles. Dining is also a pleasure at Bolera Breeze, the family-friendly restaurant which serves local cuisine in elegant settings. Rooms are well-appointed with luxe furnishings. Upgrade to the Family Suite with two bedrooms and a separate seating area if you are planning to travel with your family.

Stayed at this property?

Zaburi Beach by Serendib

Wifi Available Wheelchair accessible

Address: P O Box 5370, Bolera Village
50.77 km (31.6 mi) from Lake Malawi National Park

Parking Restaurant Room service Meeting/banquet facilities Bar 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Garden Terrace

Other beach accommodations in Malawi

2. Sunbird Chintheche, Nkhata Bay (from USD 91)

Take in the sweeping lake views at Sunbird Chintheche, a beachfront hotel in Nkhata Bay. Beach lovers will love the on-site water sports facilities, available at an additional charge. Spend your holiday canoeing, snorkelling, diving or just sun worshipping on the beautiful beach.

The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool for adult guests to have a splashing good time and spacious family rooms for restful sleep. For junior appetites, savour the kid-friendly buffet at the on-site restaurant which also prepares special menus on request. Unwind with drinks and sparkling conversation at the bar to end your day.

Stayed at this property?

Sunbird Chintheche

Wheelchair accessible Visual Aid: Braille

Address: Off M5 road Box 32
260.22 km (161.7 mi) from Lake Malawi National Park

Parking Restaurant Room service Meeting/banquet facilities Bar 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Garden Terrace

3. Mgoza Lodge, Cape Maclear (from USD 55)

A gorgeous pool and cosy lodges set on a beautiful beach make Mgoza Lodge a top beach retreat in Cape Maclear. For beach enthusiasts, there are activities aplenty such as fishing, canoeing, snorkelling and diving. Do note that these activities incur extra charges. After a fun-filled day, relax on the hammocks in the garden with comfy outdoor furniture to watch the sunset.

The property provides a bicycle rental service to tour the vicinity and car rentals for guests who wish to explore the area further. Previous guests also loved the spacious rooms and garden to capture stunning views of Lake Malawi.

Stayed at this property?

Mgoza Lodge

Wifi Available

Address: Main Road
6.54 km (4.1 mi) from Lake Malawi National Park

Parking Restaurant Pets allowed Room service Meeting/banquet facilities Bar Garden Terrace

4. Nkhudzi Beach Lodge, Nkudzi (from USD 49)

Chilling by the beach is one of the best things to do at Nkhudzi Beach Lodge, the laid-back beachfront property in Nkudzi. The property has access to a beach with pristine shores for relaxing under shady palms while watching your kids build sandcastles. Other popular activities include canoeing and snorkelling to explore the undersea wonders.

After a tiring day out, retreat to comfortable, non-smoking rooms with basic amenities. If you’re travelling on a budget, pick the Mixed Dormitory Room and save on expenses. Take advantage of the outdoor pool with poolside sun loungers to perfect your tan.

Stayed at this property?

Nkhudzi Beach Lodge

Wifi Available

Address: Nkudzi
17.22 km (10.7 mi) from Lake Malawi National Park

Parking Restaurant Bar Garden Non-smoking rooms Airport shuttle Fishing Laundry

5. Safari Beach Lodge, Senga (from USD 99)

Safari Beach Lodge is a beautiful beachfront property with lake views which features well-furnished rooms with convenient amenities and mosquito netting draped over beds to keep buzzing insects away during your sleep. If you’re vacationing with a large group, the Family Room with Lake View is ideal as it sleeps up to seven guests.

The private beach area is great for meditating, nature exploring or simply relaxing under the sun, away from noisy crowds. Dining on the beach is also possible as you feast with waves lapping your feet. The on-site restaurant offers local and international cuisine to satisfy your appetite.

Stayed at this property?

Safari Beach Lodge

Wifi Available

Address: Senga Bay
48.62 km (30.3 mi) from Lake Malawi National Park

Parking Restaurant Room service Meeting/banquet facilities Bar Garden Terrace Non-smoking rooms

6. Thumbi View Lodge, Cape Maclear (from USD 16)

Spend the day relaxing on the private beach at Thumbi View Lodge. Crystal-clear waters, soft sands and rocky outcrops make this property worth exploring. Divers will shout with glee as Cape Maclear Scuba Diving Centre is on-site to provide all they need for a great dive. Other terrific activities include kayaking, snorkelling, hiking trails and even sunset cruises to rekindle the romance with your loved one. Take note that additional charges apply.

This property offers a variety of rooms, from the Family Room with Lake View to the Budget Double Room with shared amenities.

Stayed at this property?

Thumbi View Lodge

Address: Village Road
6.67 km (4.2 mi) from Lake Malawi National Park

Parking Restaurant Pets allowed Bar Garden Terrace Non-smoking rooms Airport shuttle

7. Mufasa Eco Lodge, Monkey Bay (from USD 46)

Reconnect with nature at Mufasa Eco Lodge, the rustic and charming property with a private beach in Monkey Bay. Why spend the day indoors when adventures await you outdoors? Here, you can enjoy different water sports such as snorkelling and diving. However, do note that additional charges apply for these activities.

Rooms vary from spacious family rooms to tents with two twin beds for couples who love simple living. Best of all, this private haven allows pets at no additional charge so your furry friend can explore the beach and the great outdoors with you.

Stayed at this property?

Mufasa Eco Lodge

Wifi Available

Address: Opposite the Monkey Bay Harbor
4.7 km (3.0 mi) from Lake Malawi National Park

Parking Restaurant Pets allowed Room service Bar 24-HOUR FRONT DESK Garden Terrace

8. Life is Good, Mangochi (from USD 400)

Nothing spells relaxation better than lounging by your private pool at this modern cottage in Mangochi. Life is Good features awe-inspiring lake views and beautifully decorated bedrooms to recharge after a long day. Better yet, this well-maintained vacation home comes with housekeeping, security services and even a chef to prepare local and international cuisine for guests.

The best place to unwind is by the beach as you capture the breathtaking sunrise and sunset each day. Aside from swimming in clear waters, you can enjoy a game of beach soccer with the locals or pick up fishing tips from the local fishermen.

Stayed at this property?
Mangochi, Southern Region, Malawi
62.09 km (38.6 mi) from Lake Malawi National Park
7 reviews   Wifi Available
ENTIRE HOME 6 Beds 11 Guests 3 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms

Accommodates: 11

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
very modern comfortable and fully equipped
Host:
the staff were very helpful
host was quick to communicate and help with anything we needed
frank was a very helpful and cheerful assistant and chef kwamwendo was amazing
Location:
the location is beautiful the house is very comfortable and willard guided us very well to his house
Read more reviews

9. Kuwona Cottage, Senga Bay

Find your slice of paradise at this secluded, self-catering cottage in Senga Bay, Central Region. Nestled on the sandy shores of Lake Malawi, this peaceful retreat has a private beach and sun loungers under shady trees to relax. If you prefer to lounge in the shade, head to the private balcony with comfortable furnishings.

In addition, this abode has a well-equipped kitchen with cooking basics to prepare simple meals. Are you planning a cookout? You can make use of the fire pit and a barbecue grill to whip up a feast under starry skies.

Stayed at this property?
Senga Bay, Central Region, Malawi
47.12 km (29.3 mi) from Lake Malawi National Park
6 reviews   Wifi Available
Entire cottage 6 Beds 8 Guests 4 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms

Accommodates: 8

Top guest reviews
Host:
the staff are really lovely and keen to help out
clean with amazing staff always eager to assist
Location:
i recommend this place to salima travelers
Read more reviews

10. The Beach Cottage, Cape Maclear

Find your inner peace of mind at this beachfront cottage at Cape Maclear. Here, guests can enjoy access to a clean and beautiful beach with large shady trees for sunset strolls. The property has a patio overlooking breathtaking lake views and a backyard with comfy outdoor furniture to laze around with friends. Cooking is a cinch in the well-equipped kitchen with handy appliances.

Are you travelling with pets? You’ll be pleased to know that this property is pet-friendly, making it ideal for holidays with your fur buddy. There is also a dedicated workspace for business travellers to work in privacy.

Stayed at this property?
Cape Maclear, Southern Region, Malawi
6.68 km (4.2 mi) from Lake Malawi National Park
84 reviews   Wifi Available
ENTIRE HOME 3 Beds 4 Guests 2 Bedrooms 1 Bathroom

Accommodates: 4

Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the beds are comfy and the mosquito nets are good
absolutely perfect location incredibly comfortable and with all the amenities one could want
good location simple but homey environment with cozy outdoor sitting areas and beautiful lake view
Cleanliness:
it's clean and had very nice homely touches
the house is spacious clean and decorated with taste
kitchen and rooms were nice and clean
very helpful hosts and always clean and tidy
Host:
we enjoyed our stay and hosts were very friendly and cooperative
thank you to jewel for being so friendly and helpful
the staff was helpful and cooked amazing breakfast and fish will be returning for sure
the house in perfect condition with a special charm and attentive workers at all times
Location:
great place and close to the lake
beautiful location right on the beach
a beautiful location in a beautiful area of malawi
wonderful location and a peaceful place to stay
great value and prime location
Read more reviews

Experience a magical escape in Malawi

There are many reasons why Malawi should be on your travel bucket list. A fascinating variety of wildlife in safari parks and lush green terrain dotted with hills are what greets travellers upon arrival. Do you love endless fun under the sun and family escapes by the beach? If so, check out the above beach resorts.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Meet Melanie, a budding wordsmith and a full-time Trip101 writer with a penchant for weaving tales that transport readers to far-off lands. With five years of jet-setting experience as a travel...Read more

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