Thumbi West Island sits roughly a kilometre offshore from Chembe beach and is the standard destination for the half- and full-day dhow trips that local boatmen run from Cape Maclear. The water around the island is shallow, clear and full of cichlid fish — the diving and snorkelling here is what put Lake Malawi on the underwater map.
A typical trip will combine snorkelling, a stop at fish eagle feeding spots (where guides toss small fish into the air for the resident pair), and a lunch grilled on the beach of the island. Bring a wide-brimmed hat — the boats have no shade — and confirm the per-person price before boarding.