Activities in Swakopmund

The list of activities to do in and around Swakopmund is endless, making this one of the top destinations in Namibia.
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Walk on the Jetty

First established in 1905, the Jetty is one of the oldest landmarks in Swakopmund. The Jetty stretches 262 meters (859 feet) out into the ocean. In 2006 it was renovated and now features a restaurant, The Jetty 1905, that serves mostly seafood and sushi.

Hang out on the beach (Swakopmund Mole)

The Mole, meaning pier in German and the namesake of The Mole Guesthouser, was built in 1899 as a mooring for larger vessels, but due to the Benguela Current pushing past, the harbour was soon filled with sand and created the perfect beach. The beach, known as Palm Beach, is protected from the cold southwesterly wind by the harbour wall; making this the number one hotspot for sunbathing and swimming in Swakopmund. The harbour is still used as a mooring for fishing and pleasure boats.

National Marine Aquarium

The National Marine Aquarium is the only aquarium to be found in Namibia. It has a variety of fauna from the cold Benguela Current in the southern Atlantic Ocean. The most popular attraction to this aquarium would be the tunnel that runs right through the centre of the main tank; making it possible to get up close to the sea creatures.

Woermannhaus

Known as one of the most famous buildings in Swakopmund, the Woermannhaus was erected in 1905. The property originally belonged to a German trading company, but now contains an art gallery and library.

Hohenzollernhaus

The Hohenzollerhaus is the most beautiful structure in Swakopmund. The Hohenzollern Building, an old German colonial building, served as a hotel and administrative office for more than 100 years, before being converted into housing units. The building was declared a National Monument in 1983.

Kristall Galerie

If precious stones is an interest of yours, the Kristall Galerie should be on your list of places to visit. It not only has some of the rarest gems you will find in Africa; it also has a 220,000-pound cluster of quartz. This massive cluster required five years to excavate and is now on display. The Kristal Galerie also has a crystal cave, craft area, and coffee bar. The gem shop sells necklaces, jewellery, art, and carvings.

Hire a bike for in and around Swakopmund

Not sure you want to see the town on foot, join a guided bike tour or rent a bicycle instead. You can enjoy the beautiful architecture while getting some fresh air and not having to worry about parking. Companies such as Swakop Cycle tours and Swakopmund Fat Bike Tours offer tours and rentals.

Living Desert Snake Park

The Namib Desert is the oldest in the world and inhabited by many rare reptiles. At the Living Desert Snake Park, you have the opportunity to visually examine some of these creatures which include; snakes, scorpions and lizards.

Welwitschia Plains

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Welwitschia Plains are an hours drive from Swakopmund and holds the oldest welwitschia, between 1500-3000 years old, known to man. It has its very own informational sign and is protected by a fence.

Skydiving

If jumping from a plane or a helicopter is on your bucket list. Then what better place to do so than in Nambia? You will have a 15,00 feet drop whilst looking out over the contrasting landscape of ocean and dunes.

Quad Biking

GO GO GO!!! Slide down some of the most incredible dunes of the desert. You have the option of lying or for the more advances border, standing. This tour is loads of fun, with no such thing as a dull moment.

Swakopmund Camel Farm

Enjoy a ride on one of the most majestic animals known to the desert. Just east of the airport lies the Swakopmund Camel Farm. In addition to traditional farm animals, this 30-year-old farm along the Swakop River has a population of camels. Tourists often come to see them up close or hop on for a camel ride.

Township tours

If you are looking for a culturally rich experience, then this is the tour for you. Your guide will take you through Mondesa, a township in Swakopmund, where you will experience some traditional cuisine and learn about the various tribes from Namibia.

See the Cape Cross seal colony on the Skeleton Coast

The Cape Cross Seal Reserve is an absolute must-visit: found along Namibia's northern Atlantic coast, also known as the Skeleton Coast. Thousands of fur seals gather in this now-protected area. You can get within a few feet of them as they lounge on the beach.

Desert Tour

Tour the oldest desert and its unique landscape in the comfort of a 4x4 vehicle. On these tours, you get to spot some of the rarest creatures and plant life known to man; the majority of them being indigenous to the Namib Desert.

Catamaran Tours

The Atlantic Ocean is filled with a variety ocean life; dolphins, whales, turtles, seals, the sunfish and many more, all swimming in the nearby waters of the Namibian coast. Wildlife enthusiasts often book dolphin watching tours so they may see them in their natural habitat. The catamaran tours offer a seafood meal with oysters that are harvested from the local oyster farm in Walvis Bay.

Dorob National Park

The Dorob National park runs along the centre of the Namibian coast, stretching across 1600km of desert and ocean. The park is protected under the Nature Conservation Ordinance since late 2010. It is also known as anglers paradise due to the fantastic fishing opportunity it presents. Travelling this area does require a permit, and it is advised to stay on the roads to preserve any unseen plant and animal life.

Rossmund Golf Course & Mini Golf

The Rossmund Golf Course is one of five desert golf courses, globally, that feature fully green fairways. Here you can play a few holes whilst enjoying the springboks, who roam freely on the course. If you're not up for the big par-72 course, you can always try the driving range or the family-friendly mini-golf.

Kayaking in Walvis Bay Lagoon

Are you ready to take on the Atlantic Ocean by Kayak? Hop on and enjoy the scenery, see a variety of ocean life and get a little exercise. These tours all lead you out into the lagoon of Walvis Bay. Most tours also include a stop to the salt mine, one of the largest in the world.

Sossusvlei

Towards the south of Namibia, you will find Sossusvlei, a salt and clay pan that features numerous red dunes. One of these dunes would be the famous Dune 45 (the highest dune in the world); the climb is perfect for an early morning excursion where you can experience an authentic African sunrise before the heat of the sun turns the sand in an un-walkable terrain.

Dooie Vlei

Also in the vicinity of Sossusvlei lies the Dooie Vlei; a marsh pan that serves as a graveyard to many dead camelthorn trees. This area once held a river, but due to a drought that happened more than 500 years ago the dunes formed and all water supplied to the area was cut off. All the trees died, and because of the low levels of moisture in the air, they could not decompose properly. Hence the name, Deadvlei.

Spitzkoppe

After only a short two hours drive east from Swakopmund you will find the Spitzkoppe, a small group of mountains that rise majestically from their flat, desert surroundings. These granite peaks are roughly 700 million years old. The highest point of the Spitzkoppe stands 5670 feet (1728 m) above sea level. The area is a popular campsite and serves as a great climbing and hiking terrain.