Skeleton Coast

Fast Facts

Location:Located in the Atlantic Ocean coast, northern part of Namibia.
Attraction Type: Coast.
Significance: A unique coast filled with the hulks of dead ships showcasing the fate of the shipwrecked sailors.
Best time to Visit: Can be visited throughout the year.
Visiting Hours: During daytime.
How to Reach: You can reach Skeleton Coast in two ways — through the Ugab River mouth and through the eastern border at Springbokwasser. Take the main coastal road (C34) that starts from Swakopmund and reaches to the Ugab River mouth.
Nearest Airport: Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH).

It tells the story of the horror of a sailor whose ship is sinking, it is the place filled with the hulks of dead ships showcasing the fate of the shipwrecked sailors, and it is the site that narrates the struggles of the sailors in those days sans radio and airborne rescue — Skeleton Coast is a unique coast full of evidence of dreadful past. Generally a flat coast with occasional rock outcrops, Skeleton Coast has successfully justified its name, as one can find the skeletal shipwrecks caused by rocks offshore in the fog, partly covered in sand. There are also some relics that have been almost entirely buried.

Located in the Atlantic Ocean coast, northern part of Namibia, Skeleton Coast is sometimes referred as “The Land of God Made in Anger” by the Namibian Bushmen and “The Gates of Hell” by the Portuguese sailors. These names only endorse the characteristics of the coast in the past. And one of the major reasons for these odd characteristics of this coast is its inhospitable climate. Due to the cold Benguela current, one can find increasing amount of the dense ocean fogs. The heavy surf is also experienced due to the unusual 'land-to-sea' winds. And it goes without saying that all of these can imbue you with such an experience that will be hard to find anywhere else.

Things to Do

Skeleton Coast these days are getting more accessible than before. Still it attracts lesser amount of visitors than the other parts of Namib Desert and this fact enhances its attraction as well. In fact its untouched profile, varied color, and changing moods are the USP of the Skeleton Coast.

The place has got a flat coast, though you will find rocky outcrops as the same time. The southern part consists of gravel plains. On the other hand one can find high sand dunes in the northern part. The dense coastal fog and cold sea breezes have made it a mysterious site. And this mysterious character will make you more inquisitive about the place at the same time.

Skeleton Coast has paler sands than those are usually found in the southern Namib. The patterns of the dunes are more chaotic and hard to catch in your photographic frame. The dunes are not very high as well. You can see the remains of the shipwrecks scattered through the coast.

Skeleton Coast National Park is another attraction of the Skeleton Coast. The area from the Ugab River to the Kunene has been marked as Skeleton Coast National Park. The northern part of the park has been labeled as the wilderness area. You can visit the clay castles of the Hoarisib, the large seal colony at Cape Fria and the Agate Mountain saltpans etc.

Accommodation

You will find several options for accommodation while visiting Skeleton Coast. Some of those can be listed as below:

Cape Cross Lodge
Tel: +264-64-46-1677
Fax: +264-64-46-1488
E-mail: info@capecross.org
Web: www.capecross.org

Terrace Bay
Skeleton Coast Park
Namibia