California students dive into Lake Malawi

For the third year in a row, we were thrilled to welcome a group of 15 students from the University of California, Santa Cruz to the stunning shores of Cape Maclear at Lake Malawi. Their mission? To snorkel, dive, and discover some of the lake’s incredible underwater life as part of their university research — and wow, did they find some gems.

Accompanied by our diving buddy, the students got up close with some seriously cool fish. A favourite moment? Spotting a unique species of cichlid that actually lives in a shell! Another big highlight was seeing the rare gold otter cichlid, found only in a 50-metre stretch around Otter Point. It’s a beautiful fish and a super special sighting.

One of the key parts of their trip was mapping the waters around Thumbi Island, a hotspot for biodiversity. With masks and tape measures in hand, the students worked together to record habitats, fish populations, and underwater features — all part of their ongoing research. After long mornings in the water, they enjoyed laid-back beach picnics on Thumbi Island, soaking up the sun and refuelling for the next dive.

The learning didn’t stop in the water. Back on land, the students also took part in lectures led by their professor and had the chance to dissect some fish samples as part of their academic studies. 

When they weren’t studying, the group soaked up everything Cape Maclear has to offer. They took a tour of a local fishing village, hiked through the national park, joined a traditional drumming circle, and enjoyed kayaking on the calm lake waters. It was the perfect mix of learning and adventure.

One surprise for the team was that two of the students in the group were not very confident in the water and needed some swimming lessons. So our diving buddy Ollie made use of the calm shallow waters of the lake to teach both girls to swim. By the end of the week, they were floating, snorkelling and swimming on their own — a massive personal achievement and one we were really proud to support.

We handled all the logistics so the students could focus on the experience — from arranging diving instructors and gear, to sorting boats, accommodation, and transfers. Everything was planned to keep the trip smooth, safe and stress-free.

If you’re keen to explore Lake Malawi yourself — whether you're doing research, looking to complete your PADI certification, or just want to try something new — we’ve got you covered. You don’t need to be a qualified diver to join one of our trips. The lake is freshwater, calm, and uncrowded, making it an ideal spot for beginners and experienced divers alike. We also offer both male and female dive buddies to make sure everyone feels comfortable.

Interested in making your own discovery? Dive in with Land & Lake Safaris — where every journey is tailored, and every splash tells a story.