Sunsets on Lake Malawi are always quite spectacular.

Cape Maclear is one of the best spots on Lake Malawi to relax, enjoy the beach, and calm waters of the lake. You can canoe, scuba dive and snorkel. There are several lodging options, most are quite simple and cheap and it's therefore a very attractive place for backpackers to hangout for a few weeks. In fact it's such a great place, it's difficult to motivate yourself to leave -- you've been warned.
Note: Make sure you take your malaria prophylactics and read up on the symptoms of Bilharzia if you spend some time at the Lake.