Swakopmund, Namibia: The Complete Guide

Swakopmund Beach Resort is located on the Atlantic coast of Namibia, approximately 219 miles (352 kilometers) west of Windhoek.

It is surrounded on three sides by the Namib Desert and towering golden dunes that plunge dramatically into the deep blue sea.

It is also the gateway to the Skeleton Coast, making it a haven for adventurers and adrenaline junkies, backpackers, and road travelers.

The city itself is steeped in German colonial culture, from its cuisine to iconic architectural landmarks such as the Woermannhaus and the Kaiserliches Bezirksgericht.

Travelers come to soak up the atmosphere and participate in activities ranging from sandboarding to skydiving.

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The history of Swakopmund

The city was founded in 1892 by Curt von François, the commissioner of the German Imperial Colonial Army.

Von François (who also founded Windhoek two years earlier) chose Swakopmund as the main port in Southwest Africa for its abundance of freshwater.

Its name translates from German to "Mouth of Swakop". The city received municipal status in 1909 but experienced a decline in 1915 when the Union of South Africa took control of South West Africa from Germany and port operations moved south to Walvis Bay.

In 1990, Swakopmund gained independence along with the rest of Namibia and has since grown as a tourist center and tourist town.

Main things to do

Swakopmund has earned a reputation as the adventure capital of Namibia and as such visitors have many options for activities.

Options range from relaxing or fishing on the beach, riding a camel at Swakopmund Camel Farm, or admiring the world's largest group of quartz crystals in the center of Kristall Galerie.

The most popular hobbies are listed below.

Swakopmund Museum

Located near the beach in the city center, the Swakopmund Museum is the largest privately run museum in Namibia.

Its exhibits include examples of indigenous plants, taxidermied desert animals, and artifacts related to the native and colonial inhabitants of the region.

Of particular interest are the People of Namibia exhibition, which offers an insight into the traditional heritage of Namibia's different ethnic groups, from the Herero to the Himba.

The museum is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Tickets are 30 Namibian dollars (about $ 2) for adults and 10 Namibian dollars (about 68 cents) for children.

National Marine Aquarium

Namibia's only aquarium showcases the fascinating marine life of the cool Benguela Current.

Stroll down an underwater walkway that offers up-close views of rays and sharks, or be enchanted by the hilarious antics of African penguins and aquarium seals.

Interested anglers can also learn about species that can be caught off Swakopmund's beaches, such as the Spotted Grunt, Silver Ear, and West Coast Barnacle.

The aquarium is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. at 4 p.m.

Desert excursions

Most visitors want to take a trip to the Namib Desert, and there are many different ways to do it.

Companies like Living Desert Adventures offer Land Rover and Landcruiser 4x4 safaris, taking you through the spectacular dunes in search of rare desert wildlife, including transparent Namibe Dune geckos, desert chameleons, and sidewinder snakes.

You can also explore by bike, courtesy of Swakopmund Fat Bike Tours, go sandboarding, or take an adrenaline-pumping ATV ride with Desert Explorers.

Skydiving

To get an aerial view of the collision between sand and sea, you can sign up for a scenic flight.

Alternatively, you can choose to launch from a plane that works perfectly with the Swakopmund Skydiving Club.

Based out of Swakopmund Airport, the company offers double skydiving from 10,000 feet, with a 35-second free fall and a five-minute canopy ride.

If you're feeling brave, you can even opt for a full day of training followed by a solo static line or a freefall jump. Double skydiving costs Namibia $ 2,500 ($ 169) per person, with additional filming costs.

Day trips

Many companies offer exciting day trips from Swakopmund.

Head south to Walvis Bay and embark on a harbor cruise for a chance to see up-close Cape seals, African penguins, and three species of dolphins (including the endemic Heaviside dolphin).

Birdwatching tours take you to the Walvis Bay lagoon, where thousands of smaller and larger flamingos congregate, and coastal rarities such as the Damara tern can be seen.

North of Swakopmund is the Cape Cross seal colony, one of the largest in the world.

Along the way, you will stop to see the Skeleton Coast shipwreck, the Zeila.

Where to eat

Swakopmund's culinary scene is cosmopolitan, with restaurants serving Indian, Italian, African, and Portuguese dishes.

German cuisine is the highlight, however, with top spots like the Strand Hotel's Brewer & Butcher and the Swakopmund Brauhaus.

The former serves schnitzel and schweinshaxe alongside microbreweries made at the brewery.

You can enjoy your meal on an outdoor terrace overlooking the water or in front of large sports screens indoors.

At Swakopmund Brauhaus, Bavarian decor and German beers make it easy to forget you're in Africa.

For authentic German pastries and sweets, visit Café Anton.

Alternatively, Ocean Cellar, BlueGrass Restaurant, and Jetty 1905 combine fresh seafood with captivating ocean views. Jetty 1905 enjoys a historic location on the iconic Swakopmund Pier.

Where to stay

Whether you're a backpacker on a budget or a luxury traveler with money to spare, there is accommodation for everyone in Swakopmund.

The most exclusive option is probably the Strand Hotel Swakopmund, which offers a picturesque location on Mole, Swakopmund's historic seawall.

Surrounded by water on three sides, it offers immaculately decorated rooms and suites, plus a spa and three of the best restaurants in the city.

Beach Lodge Swakopmund is a great mid-range option, with a beachfront location and boutique flair. It has only 19 rooms (including two specifically for families) and a fantastic seafood restaurant on the second floor.

It is located in the historic center, a short walk from the beach and the main tourist attractions.

For budget travelers, it's hard to go wrong at Swakopmund Backpackers.

Here you'll find affordable dorms and private rooms, a full kitchen, and a full garden with a barbecue area, perfect for braying and swapping stories with your fellow travelers.

Weather and when to go

Although Swakopmund has a desert climate with very little rainfall (less than 0.78 inches per year), its proximity to the cold Atlantic means that temperatures are consistently mild throughout the year.

Average air temperature ranges from 59 degrees F (15 degrees C) in winter to 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in summer, and the sea is always cold.

Fog is a defining feature of Swakopmund's climate and can be present for more than 180 days a year.

It reaches many miles inland and is a major cause of shipwrecks that stretch along the Skeleton Coast.

Although the city is a year-round destination, the best time to visit is during the Namibian summer (November to February), when the weather is warmer.

Getting there

As Namibia is a popular destination for those traveling by car, most visitors arrive in Swakopmund by road.

It is located 219 miles (352 kilometers) west of Windhoek on B2 and 27 miles (43 kilometers) north of Walvis Bay on the same highway.

If you are traveling south from Hentiesbaai, you will drive on the C34 for 75 kilometers (47 miles).

For those without their own vehicle, the Town Hoppers private bus service offers a daily route between Windhoek and Swakopmund. You can opt for door-to-door or point-to-point service, with rates starting at Namibian $ 230 ($ 15) per person.

Swakopmund Airport (SWP) is used exclusively for charter flights and is not served by the national airline, Air Namibia.

Instead, it is usually cheaper to take the daily scheduled flight to Walvis Bay from Windhoek and then travel to Swakopmund by bus or taxi.

The Desert Express train service offers luxurious overnight trips from Windhoek, with meals and en-route excursions included.

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