Swakopmund is the fourth largest city in Namibia with roughly 50K inhabitants. This coastal resort town has German influence with a colonial feel. Surrounded by the cool Atlantic Ocean and the Namib Desert, Swakopmund can get up to 180 days a year of thick fog, and is not very hot for a city surrounded by the desert. Known as the adventure capital of Namibia, Swakopmund has an abundance of outdoor activities to enjoy.
Table of Contents
Best Time to Visit Swakopmund
The best time to visit Namibia is between April and October. The earlier months of April and May have the best weather during the year, although it still gets very hot.
Visa
Visitors from Western Europe, USA, Canada, Japan, the UK, and South Africa do not need a visa. For other countries not listed, please refer to the Namibian High Commission for more details. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Namibia. It is required to have at least 1 completely blank page.
Car Rental
Rent a car from Windhoek. Most of the country is accessible with a small car. The exception is driving off-road, the Kalahari Desert, the Skeleton Coast, and the last few kilometers at Sossusvlei. We hired a small Volkswagen Polo which cost us around $20 USD per day. If you plan to drive off-road or to the Skeleton Coast, you will need a 4WD to do this. 4WD rentals often come equipped with a rooftop tent and camping equipment. Rentals cost around $60 USD per day.
How to Get to Swakopmund
Swakopmund is accessible from highway B2, which is a tar road. It is roughly 250km and 3 hours from Windhoek.
Where to Stay in Swakopmund on a Budget
Skeleton Beach Backpackers is a great place to stay for a more relaxed vibe, with only a 15-minute walk to the center of Swakopmund. They have dorms for $160 NAD per person, or camping (only 1 or 2 tent spots) for $120 NAD per person.
Desert Sky Backpackers is another good option and walking distance to the town center. Dorms are $190 NAD per person, and camping is $150 NAD per person.
Skydiving in Swakopmund
Top Things to do in Swakomund
Skydive
Swakopmund Skydiving Club is your best option where some really fun locals love to skydive and make it a blast on your tandem skydive with them. Cost is 2100 NAD ($170 USD) for a 10K foot jump or 2500 NAD ($200 USD) for a 15K foot jump. Video footage is available for around 600 NAD ($50).
Sand Dune Boarding
Swakopmund has some very large Sand Dunes and is a great place for Sand Dune Boarding. Go with Alter Action Sandboarding for $500 NAD.
Quad Bike Tours
Daredevil Adventures has 1 hour tours for $400 NAD quad tour or 2 hours for $600 NAD.
Visit the Sand Dunes
Just outside of town are some amazing sand dunes which you can explore on your own. Drive out-of-town on B2, and turn right on D1984 just after the airport. The entire drive has sand dunes all along your right hand side. Drive to the end on your right hand side to Dune 7 Picnic Area. Climb the dunes and then go for a quick visit to Walvis Bay or return to Swakopmund.
Sand Dunes in Dorob National Park
Drive up the Coast to the Ugab Gate (Skeleton Coast National Park entrance)
On this drive along a salt road, you can visit two shipwrecks, wreck Zeila 60 km north of Swakopmund, and the Winston Wreck, 187 km north of Swakopmund. On your way, stop at Cape Cross to take a walk on the boardwalk and see thousands of seals (cost $80 NAD per person).
Zeila Wreck
Winston Wreck
Namibia Articles
-
Etosha National Park click HERE
-
Himba Village Tour in Opuwo click HERE
-
Swakopmund and Outdoor Adventures
-
Naukluft Mountains Hike click HERE
-
Sossusvlei and Deadvlei click HERE
-
Luderitz and Kolmanskop Ghost Town click HERE
-
Fish River Canyon click HERE
Return to Africa
Return to Destinations
6 comments on “Swakopmund Outdoor Adventures”