Swakopmund

Swakopmund is a quirky coastal town where you can enjoy excellent seafood, beach walks, excursions to the wetlands or adrenalin activities galore.

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Overview

The seaside town of Swakopmund lies between Sossusvlei to the south and Damaraland to the north. This pleasant town on the Atlantic coast has a distinctive continental atmosphere. Its many picturesque reminders of the German colonial era seem deliciously incongruous so close to the Namib Desert! But Swakopmund, with its palm-lined streets, provides a welcome rest from travelling. Here you can stroll along the beach, enjoy some good seafood and visit some quirky museums.

We recommend at least 2 to 3 nights here so that you can take a rest from driving and participate in some of the many Swakopmund tours and excursions on offer.

Features

Why you may love it

  • Enjoy beach strolls at sunset
  • Great seafood restaurants
  • Explore the Moon valley with its unique welwitschia plants, hundreds of years old
  • Drive up the coast to Cape Cross seal colony
  • Boat cruises in search of whales and dolphins in season
  • Gentle kayaking on Walvis lagoon with its stunning birdlife
  • 4×4 nature drives to Sandwich lagoon to the see the flamingos
  • Swakopmund has also become a centre for adrenalin sports. Choose between sand-boarding, quad-biking or even tandem sky-diving, all of which are open to complete novices

When to visit Swakopmund

 

December to April

Summer

The west coast of the country, from the Skeleton Coast down to Luderitz have a completely different climatic pattern from the rest of Namibia. Here there is hardly any rain in the summer months! The days are mostly dry and sunny, but on the cool side as the cold sea winds bring down the temperatures. Inland, or on windless days, the temperatures rises. This is considered the best time to visit as it is a little warmer and the morning fog is not as heavy.
TALK TO US
AVG MONTHLY RAINFALL 0MM
MAX TEMP 21 ℃ / 70 ℉
MIN TEMP 15 ℃ / 59 ℉
 

May to September

Winter

The winter season begins with a gradual lowering of temperatures. Mornings continue to be foggy especially at the coast, but the sun burns through the fog to bring sunny blue skies later in the day. These are cooler months with cold nights and days of approx. 18-20C.
TALK TO US
AVG MONTHLY RAINFALL 2MM
MAX TEMP 17 ℃ / 63 ℉
MIN TEMP 10 ℃ / 50 ℉
 

October to mid-December

Transitional season

Curiously day-time temperatures don’t increase as quickly here as elsewhere in Namibia. It continues to be dry and sunny but the continuing morning fog and cold sea winds keep the daytime temperatures down on the coast. However the evening temperatures warm up to 13-14C.
TALK TO US
AVG MONTHLY RAINFALL 1MM
MAX TEMP 18 ℃ / 64 ℉
MIN TEMP 13 ℃ / 55 ℉

Popular tours & safaris

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Namibia in a Nutshell Safari

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Accommodation

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Swakopmund

Swakopmund Guesthouse

Swakopmund Guest House is an upmarket guest lodge a mere 5 minute walk from the beach & shopping area of Swakopmund. It offers 4 standard rooms, 7 luxury rooms and 1 family suite for guests...

PRICE (PPS) ₤ 28
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Swakopmund

Cornerstone Guest House

Cornerstone offers the charm and intimacy of a family-run guest house combined with the modern amenities of a boutique hotel. Within a few minutes from the guest house you can walk to beaches,...

PRICE (PPS) ₤ 50
RATING Comfortable
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Swakopmund

Villa Marguerita

Villa Margherita is a small luxury boutique hotel in the heart of Swakopmund consisting of four stylish buildings which are all located close to each other on the same premises.

PRICE (PPS) ₤ 52
RATING Premier
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Swakopmund

Strand Hotel Swakopmund

The Strand Hotel Swakopmund is located directly on the mole (promenade) in Swakopmund, surrounded on three sides by the Atlantic Ocean, with direct access to the main beach in town. On the fourth...

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The Delight Swakopmund

Amongst the town’s captivating contrasts and old traditions, The Delight in Swakopmund is a fresh breeze in the desert. Conveniently located within short walking distance of the ‘Mole’, this...

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Brigadoon Guesthouse

Brigadoon Guesthouse has a prime location within Swakopmund. Swakopmund’s main beach is only 200 metres away, and the town centre with its many attractions can be reached on foot within a very...

PRICE (PPS) ₤ 32
RATING Comfortable
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Kate Bergh

Co-founder & Director

Hi I'm Kate, I'm here to help you plan your ideal holiday experience
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Experiences in Swakopmund

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Living Desert Tour from Swakopmund

The living desert tour is focused on examining the smaller creatures of the desert. You experience the unexpected life in the dunes up close with a conservation-minded approach. Morning tour from...

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Boat cruises from Walvis Bay or Lüderitz

This is a great options after driving the Namibian gravel roads. Several yacht charter companies in the Swakopmund/Walvis Bay area, and one in Luderitz, offer catamaran cruises on the Atlantic...

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Kayaking on Walvis Lagoon

Great excursion from Walvis Bay accessed via a good 30km tarred road from Swakopmund. You head to Pelican Point for some kayaking with a seal colony and – if you are lucky – even dolphins! On...

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Sandwich Lagoon 4x4 excursion

The Sandwich 4x4 excursion is a unique and exhilarating 4x4 seriously off road trip to visit Sandwich harbour and the lagoon (tides permitting). Breath-taking panoramic views of the picturesque...

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Did you know
  • EstablishedFounded in 1892 as the main harbour for the Imperial German colony
  • First EuropeansThe first 160 people had to dig caves into the sand for shelter

Swakopmund Articles

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Adventurous Self-drive safari routes in South Africa & Namibia

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Mari Jacobs

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Hi I’m Mari, I’m here to help you plan your ideal holiday experience
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