4 Activities to do in Swakopmund, Namibia
The Swakopmund Coast, taken from the Swakopmund Mole.
Known for its sandy beaches, spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean, colorful architecture, and great seafood, Swakopmund is a coastal city in South West Namibia. Swakop, as it’s often referred to, provides the perfect getaway opportunity to relax, explore the outdoors, and soak up views.
It’s a blissful and beautiful coastal city that offers so much! Swakopmund reminds me of Malibu in the USA, Beau Vallon in Seychelles, or Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia. Planning a trip to Swakopmund, Namibia and intrigued about what there is to do in the area? Read below for 4 top activities to do in Swakopmund, Namibia and to get insights into how my family and I spent 4 days in the area.
Getting to Swakopmund from Windhoek
Desert, Swakopmund
Located in South West Namibia, Swakopmund is a 5 hour drive from Windhoek or 2 hours by flight. The closest airport is located in Walvis Bay, a port town 45 minutes south of Swakopmund. If you decide to fly, keep in mind that you’ll need to arrange transportation to Swakopmund. To get to the coast, my family and I booked a ride through Town hoppers Shuttle service, a local company providing daily shared rides between Windhoek and Swakopmund.
After doing research into transportation options, going by road was the best option for us, due to flexibility, time, and costs. From my experience, the roads linking both cities were good and the infrastructure for traveling by road is efficient and well-organized. For example there were planned stopover locations for travelers to access clean toilets, buy food, and for refueling. I highlight this because road infrastructure standards differ by African country and it’s important to be aware of the recommended transportation options for the country you’re in.
For Namibia, traveling by road is the norm! After napping, reading, and munching through the 5 hour drive, we arrived at the glorious coastal city of Swakopmund, where we spent the next couple of days enjoying the outdoors, soaking up the views, learning from locals, and trying staple seafood restaurants. Intrigued about what there is to do in Swakopmund, Namibia? Read more below!
4 Activities to do in Swakopmund
1. Visit the Sand Dunes:
Living Desert Tour
The Swakopmund desert.
While in Swakopmund, get out and explore the Sand Dunes! There are a variety of activities and excursions to do, from adventure, such as sand boarding or quad biking, to typical guided tours, which are all organized and booked through providers. In our experience, we did the Living Desert Tour and it was one of my favorite activities of the trip! Booked through a local tour provider, Desert Explorers, the excursion focuses on exploring the local dune belt between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. The activity takes half a day, lasting from 8:30am-12pm. It’s not a private excursion, but rather brings together a group of 10 individuals. Desert Explorers provides the guide, vehicle, and transportation to and from the dunes.
During the tour we walked and drove through the dunes, learning about its history as well as the intriguing creatures that call the area home. We identified and discussed animals in the sand, such as snakes and spiders. We were like little children on a science field trip, it was adorable! Viewing the dunes up close was an amazing experience. Imagine open space, where all you see for miles on miles is sand and dunes of varying heights. Another remarkable moment was seeing where the dunes meet the Atlantic ocean. Never have I seen where the desert meets the water and it did not disappoint.
If you have an opportunity to visit Swakopmund, I highly recommend spending time visiting the dunes and participating in an outdoor activity. What made this experience memorable was the beautiful scenery as well as our tour guide. He was informative, relaying scientific information in a funny and relatable way, and he ensured everyone felt safe and welcomed.
2. Take a Day Trip:
Walvis Bay Tour
Standing proudly on Dune 7!
There are a variety of day trips that you can take from Swakopmund to surrounding areas, which can range from a 40 minute to a 4/5 hour drive away. If you’re interested in a day trip that is less than an hour a way, consider visiting Walvis Bay. Walvis Bay is a port town 40 minutes south of Swakopmund and I truly enjoyed exploring it. When comparing both cities, Walvis Bay is an industrial port town, whereas Swakopmund is a holiday beach town with colorful architecture, tourist attractions, and activities.
For this Walvis Bay day trip, we booked a private tour provided by a local tour guide (he came highly recommended from another local we met). The guide was amazing! He was knowledgeable, personable, and patient. He provided the vehicle and took us on a 4-5 hour trip through Walvis Bay.
While in Walvis Bay, below are the places we visited:
Dune 7: Highest sand dune in Namibia!
Flamingo lagoon: A great lagoon that attracts different types of birds, including flamingos.
Walvis Bay waterfront: It’s home to restaurants, shops, and is the departure or landing point for different cruises or tours.
My favorite activity was visiting Dune 7, the highest dune in Namibia! I would highly recommend stopping by to climb the dune. Although it appears overwhelming, it’s surprisingly scalable…and not to mention the view is worth it. Imagine staring up at a dune that’s 1,256 feet tall and wondering how you’ll get to the top. The hot sun plus animals crawling under the sand. In my mind, I was hoping not to encounter them! You begin climbing and with each step you keep pushing through. After countless minutes and steps, you’re finally at the top! What awaits is unbelievable.
For me, the journey to the top of Dune 7 was energizing and the view was breathtaking. While at the top, I spent my time absorbing the view, processing the experience, and expressing gratitude for life. Being so humbled by the magnitude and wonders of nature is refreshing and puts things into perspective. If you’re in the area, take a moment to go experience the wonder that is Dune 7.
3. Enjoy the Food:
Particularly the Fresh Seafood
View from the Tug, Jetty Area, Swakopmund
During your stay in Swakopmund be prepared to eat delicious seafood! As you explore different restaurants, their menus will feature a “catch of the day” special, possible because of Swakopmund’s strategic location to the coast. While there, take advantage of this and try featured items on the menu! Our dining experience was amazing, we ate seafood dishes that I still dream about today. What made the food special in Swakop, was the freshness and the flavor of each meal, making it a delight to look forward to the next meal of the day.
My favorite restaurants were the Tug and Jetty 1905, both of which are located by the Swakopmund pier. The Tug is located at the entrance of the pier, while Jetty 1905 is located on the water, allowing you to view the ocean beneath your feet. Both restaurants are very popular and pricey, great for a “treat yourself” and “I’m on a vacation” kind of meal. However, you don’t need to spend outrageously to eat amazing food in Swakop. Do some online and on the ground research and speak with locals to identify restaurants you want to try. Be sure not to miss out on all the fresh seafood that awaits you!
4. Get to know Swakopmund:
Attractions, historical sites, and museums
The Swakopmund Pier.
In addition to doing outdoor activities or taking days trips, dedicate time to exploring Swakopmund’s city center, Jetty Bridge, Swakopmund Mole (Pier and Boardwalk), and other top attractions, which can be explored by foot. They offer opportunities to enjoy the beautiful and scenic views, get a feel for the area, and learn about its history.
Top Attractions to Visit in Swakopmund:
Swakopmund Mole: It’s a nice pier and boardwalk. Stop by to walk the area and enjoy the gorgeous views!
Hohernzollernhaus: Declared a national monument in 1972, Hohernzollernhaus is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Swakop. Built in the neo-baroque style it’s reflective of German influenced architecture.
Swakopmund Museum: This musuem displays a variety of items, ranging from Namibian culture and history to zoology and archaeology.
National Marine Aquarium: Are you interested in a child friendly activity? It’s a small aquarium but is a good option!
Given the size of Swakopmund, you’re able to explore these attractions by foot or by also booking a guided tour. In our experience we booked a guided city tour, which provided a great way to visit historical sites, main attractions, and learn about Swakopmund’s history from a local. The tour lasted around 2 hours and the company provided the vehicle, tour guide, and transport to and from the sites. Similarly to other city tours, you’ll be moving to and from locations by car but walking to see the sights.
Since these areas can be accessed by foot or in your own free time, a guided tour by car is not a must. Unless you’re limited on time or have accessibility needs, consider a walking tour, or taking your time and building opportunities into your itinerary to explore each attraction and area as you wish.
Is Swakopmund, Namibia worth visiting?
The Swakopmun Coast, taken from the Swakopmund Mole.
Swakopmund is a beautiful, colorful, calm, and relaxed coastal city that offers so much to do. From numerous outdoor activities to day trips to simply relaxing by the water, it offers a range of activities for travelers. My experience in Swakopmund was unbelievable! I’m truly thankful for being able to explore and travel Namibia, spending time in both Windhoek and Swakop.
Swakopmund, Namibia as a Black Traveler
Although I had a delightful experience in Swakop, what stood out to me during my travels was the lack of black, brown, and African travelers. The travel and tourist space in Swakopmund (and Windhoek) was occupied by mostly white European travelers. I rarely came across other African or black travelers and this was particularly evident when dining or going on excursions. There were Africans living their daily lives or who worked and led these excursions but rarely as patrons.
Of course this speaks to a larger issue relating to travel structures, colonialism, racism, economic inequality, education, etc - phew that list could go on. I’m not sharing this to discourage you but to provide real insights into my experience. Despite this, as a black female traveler, I felt safe and truly enjoyed my experience. As you plan your trip to Namibia, do not hesitate to add a stop over in Swakop!
Are you visiting Namibia’s capital city Windhoek?
how to spend 24 hours in windhoek
From visiting guest farms to exploring top attractions like Christuskirche (Christ Church), check out this guide for ways to spend 24 hours in Windhoek, Namibia.
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