Likoma Island is the larger of two inhabited islands in Lake Malawi, the smaller being the nearby Chizumulu island. Both these islands lie just a few kilometres from Mozambique, and are entirely surrounded by Mozambican territorial waters, but belong to Malawi. They are therefore exclaves of Malawi. This came about because the islands were colonised by Anglican missionaries spreading east from Malawi, rather than by the Portuguese who colonised Mozambique.

Likoma can be reached by steamer from the port of Nkhata Bay on the mainland of Malawi. Smaller boats including dhows cross the strait between Likoma and Chizumulu, and also between Likoma and Cobwe in Mozambique.

The island supports a population of about 9,000 people. Their economic activities include fishing and some agriculture. The island must import most of its food, however. There is no electricity on the island, and although there is a road, there is only one vehicle - an ambulance. A notable feature of the island is its cathedral, which is built of stone and is of considerable size. Its construction began in 1903.

The island is covered mostly by grassland, but has large numbers of baobab trees. Mango trees are also present.