Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and The Coast
The coast to the south of Swakopmund & Walvis Bay is spectacular and offers an alternative Skeleton Coast experience.
The two major coastal towns of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund are just 30 kms apart but serve as a good stopping point between a visit to the Namib Desert and Damaraland to the north. Walvis Bay serves as the main port, whilst Swakopmund developed as the ‘holiday’ destination and is far less ‘industrial’.
Most visitors stay in Swakopmund from which there are numerous excursions including those to Sandwich Harbour, and the interior ‘moon landscape’ and Welwitschia plains. From Walvis harbour, a range of wildlife cruises are also available, particularly to the Pelican Point seal colony (kayaking also possible). Between the two towns, a sand dune belt is used for quad-biking and dune boarding, whilst sky-diving is also possible for anyone seeking an adrenalin adventure!
Further up the coast, towards the Skeleton Coast National Park lies the Cape Cross seal colony, home to the largest Cape fur seal colony with some 100 000 ‘residents’.