Imagine a place where the desert sands dump right into the ocean – that’s the area around Swakopmund, a coastal town in Namibia that should definitely be on your Namibian itinerary. The road into town has giant sand dunes on one side and beautiful blue Atlantic waters on the other. It’s centrally located, so it’s an easy drive from Windhoek.
For us, this was the middle of our road trip through Namibia after some time in Etosha to the north and before heading into the Namib Desert to the south. If you’re planning a trip to this incredible African country, here are a few reasons to visit Swakopmund, plus some helpful information to know before you go.
Where is Swakopmund, Namibia?
Swakopmund is the biggest city on the coast of Namibia and a vacation favorite. The population is around 45,000 people, and the fourth-largest population area in the country. It was once the main harbor for German South West Africa, founded in 1892 as the main harbor. You can see evidence of its German heritage all over town.
The city is 219 miles west of Windhoek, the capital. It’s a great location to explore more of the coast, including nearby Walvis Bay. The sea breeze helps moderate the temperatures than inland desert areas.
Six Reasons to Visit Swakopmund
1. Cape Cross Seal Colony
The Cape Cross Seal Colony is located just an hour north of Swakopmund. It is a nationally protected spot where you will smell the locals before you spot them. Hundreds of Cape Fur Seals call this peninsula home.
You pay a small fee (in 2023, it’s 150N$ per person plus 50N$ per car) and then proceed to a parking area. Once you park and prep yourself for a pretty strong smell, you can walk on the boardwalks around the area and see these animals up close. Explaining the sounds and smells is hard, but it is wonderful.
We shared the boardwalk area with just a few others and the rogue seal that somehow got over the fence. We spent an hour just watching and laughing at the weird sounds and very social behavior of these amazing creatures.
2. Skeleton Coast National Park
Just north of the Cape Cross Seal Colony are the endless beaches of the Skeleton Coast National Park. It is extremely remote, and hard to find places to stay there. We just brushed the service area of this park and dream of returning someday. The desert dumps right into the ocean, and you won’t see another human anywhere around. Adventure surfers travel to ride the waves in this remote region.
It is famously called the Skeleton Coast because of all the whale skeletons you will find along the beaches and the shipwrecks lining the coast. The sea is extremely dangerous in this part of the world, and the storms are rough. We spotted the wreck pictured below from a few years ago.
3. Walvis Bay Flamingos
If you drive south of Swakopmund, about 35 minutes, you will find the smaller town of Walvis Bay. There are some bigger stores and places to stay there, but the town is famous for its birds. In the bay, you can find tons of sea birds. The flamingos were the big draw for us. There were hundreds in the water. If we had more time, it would have been amazing to do a kayak tour here.
4. Great Walkability
Swakopmund is a very walkable town. It was safe and pretty compact. We recommend walking along the beaches and paying a visit to the Swakopmund museum in town. There were some amazing exhibits about the different tribes in the area, and it was the best collection of information we found while visiting. They also have some really cool archeological finds and animal displays.
The market near the beach is great if you are shopping for souvenirs. One of the artists we talked to actually has a godfather who lives in Eagan, MN – the same place my godparents live. We chatted with him briefly, and he introduced us to some artists with market stands. By walking, you can do some window shopping and really enjoy the colonial German architecture.
5. Amazing Food & Drink Spots
After a week of campground meals, we were stoked to be able to try out a few different restaurants in town. There is a lot of variety here, so there’s something for everyone. Here are the places we would recommend:
The Tug Restaurant
We wrote about this meal in our month 6 recap. It was the best meal we had all month. A reservation is recommended here and you can do that on their website here. The service was amazing, the views were incredible and the fish was freshly caught in town. We recommended this to all the other travelers we met along the way.
Brewer & Butcher
We actually ate here twice because it had the perfect chilly weather food. Plus, they have the local beer, which is amazing. There is a beautiful large bar area and a great patio with ocean views. It is located in the Strand Hotel, which we would stay at if we returned. There are a few other great-looking restaurants in that small area, too.
Tiger Reef Beach Bar & Grill
This recommendation came from one of the locals we chatted with. It is a super laid-back beach spot with cold beers and a big menu. Not a bad spot to hang out for the day, with its spot right on the beach and tons of things to keep you entertained.
6. The Beautiful Coast
Last, but definitely not least, is the beautiful coast. We are used to beaches filled with people surfing, swimming and lounging. These beaches were so empty. There were a few kids playing in the sand and maybe one or two surfers in the water. The sunsets are just beautiful if you get a clear day. It is so different from any coastal town we’ve ever been to.
All the Details About Visiting Swakopmund
Where to Stay in Swakopmund
We stayed at this hotel. It was great for our budget and provided breakfast and secured parking. Located a few blocks from the water, it was easy to walk everywhere. As I said, we would check out this hotel if we returned. It seemed really nice and was right on the water.
Is Swakopmund Safe?
The town felt safe for us. We were able to walk everywhere. Our truck was kept in a secure lot while we stayed at the hotel.
We met some of the nicest locals here, but we also experienced our only negative encounter here as well. There was a South African man who hated Americans and was really vocal about it (and also really drunk). That was pretty uncomfortable, but nothing bad happened. We got to meet a few guys who worked on the crew of Mad Max when it was filmed right outside of town, and we also got a lesson on Rugby.
How to get around in Swakopmund
It’s easy to walk when you’re in town, but you will need a car if you want to explore the nearby areas, like Walvis Bay and Cape Cross. Some tour companies offer day trips if you want to make Swakopmund your base and want to avoid your own rental vehicle.
Don’t Miss Swakopmund on Your Trip to Namibia
Being here for a few nights after our nights camping in the national park was so different, but Namibia is full of diverse landscapes and areas. The coast is so beautiful, and Swakopmund should definitely be part of any Namibian itinerary. Our main purpose for visiting Namibia was to experience wildlife and unique landscapes. Between the flamingoes and the cape fur seals, the wildlife experiences were up there with our favorites in Namibia. The landscape was unlike any town I’ve ever been to. Swakopmund was an unforgettable stop on our road trip adventure.
