By air
Walvis Bay Airport (WVB), ~40 km by road
Africa · Namibia
Swakopmund, Namibia
A seaside town between desert dunes and the Atlantic
Getting there
Best time to visit
November to March — warmer and less foggy
Don't miss
Swakopmund Jetty
The Woermannhaus
Swakopmund Museum
The Moon Landscape
Things to do
Sandboarding
Quad biking in the dunes
Kayaking with seals at Walvis Bay
Desert tours
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Olga Ernst · CC BY-SA 4.0
What to pack
Windproof jacket, warm layers, sunscreen
A quieter corner
Welwitschia Drive in the desert to the east
Questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Swakopmund?
November to March — warmer and less foggy. What to pack: Windproof jacket, warm layers, sunscreen.
How do I get to Swakopmund?
Fly into Walvis Bay Airport (WVB), ~40 km by road.
What is there to do in Swakopmund?
Sandboarding, quad biking in the dunes, kayaking with seals at Walvis Bay, desert tours. A quieter find: Welwitschia Drive in the desert to the east.
What should I eat in Swakopmund?
Fresh oysters from Walvis Bay, line fish and German-style coffee and cake.
About Swakopmund
- Coastal
- Desert
Where it is
Swakopmund is a coastal town in western Namibia, where the Namib Desert meets the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Swakop River.
History
German colonists founded the town in 1892 as a harbour for German South West Africa, and many buildings from that era survive. Walvis Bay later took over as the main port, and Swakopmund became a holiday town for Namibians escaping the inland heat.
People
Swakopmund's residents speak English, Afrikaans, German and Oshiwambo among other languages, and many families from inland come here for holidays.
Known for
- German colonial architecture
- Dune adventure sports
- Atlantic fog
- Seals and flamingos nearby
Did you know?
Fog from the cold Benguela Current rolls in often, giving moisture to lichens, beetles and other desert life.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.