Swakopmund Jetty
A long pier reaching out into the cold Atlantic, popular for evening walks and sea views. The beachfront beside it is a relaxed spot to take in the town's seaside atmosphere.
Swakopmund
German-era architecture lines this seaside town, known for dolphin cruises, seafood, sandboarding and quad biking in the dunes.
Attractive locations
Swakopmund Lighthouse
A red-and-white striped lighthouse in the centre of town, close to the seafront. It dates from the German colonial period and remains one of the best-known sights in the resort.
National Marine Aquarium of Namibia
An aquarium on the seafront showing fish, rays and sharks from the cold waters of the Atlantic coast. A walk-through tunnel lets visitors see the animals from below.
Kristall Galerie
A private museum devoted to the minerals and crystals of Namibia and beyond. The showpiece is a giant cluster of quartz crystals, displayed alongside cut stones, jewellery and mineral samples.
Walvis Bay
A harbour town south of Swakopmund with a shallow lagoon where flamingos and pelicans gather. Boat trips go out to see seals and dolphins.
Cape Cross Seal Reserve
A colony of Cape fur seals on the Skeleton Coast, with thousands of animals crowded on the rocks and shore. A walkway lets visitors watch from close by, though the smell is strong.
Sandwich Harbour
A coastal wetland where huge dunes drop straight into the Atlantic, south of Walvis Bay. Visitors go on 4x4 tours to see flamingos and other birds and to drive the dunes.
Airports
Walvis Bay International Airport WVB
It is about 37 km in a straight line from Swakopmund.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Namibia page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan19.2 °C18 mm
- Feb19.8 °C21 mm
- Mar19.7 °C20 mm
- Apr19.1 °C21 mm
- May18.6 °C2 mm
- Jun17.2 °C1 mm
- Jul17.1 °C1 mm
- Aug15.3 °C0 mm
- Sep15.4 °C2 mm
- Oct15.8 °C5 mm
- Nov16.9 °C10 mm
- Dec18.0 °C12 mm
Driest months: Jun, Jul, Aug. Wettest months: Feb, Mar, Apr.
Costs
Prices here are about 41% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Who can help
Emergency
Police 10111. 112 from a mobile phone. Ask your hotel or operator for the nearest ambulance number.
local government
Namibia Tourism Board
Helps with: Namibia's national tourism board. Contact its Windhoek head office for visitor information. It also lists offices in Swakopmund, Rundu, Ongwediva and Luderitz.
Who qualifies: Anyone travelling in Namibia or planning a trip there.
Phone: +264 61 290 6000
Email: [email protected]
Address: C/O Haddy and Sam Nujoma Drive, Windhoek, Namibia
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Namibia
Helps with: The UN migration agency, in Namibia since 2011. It works on anti-trafficking referral, labour migration, migration health and resettlement or voluntary return for remaining refugees.
Who qualifies: Migrants, trafficking victims and refugees. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +264 61 231 639
Address: 38-44 Stein Street, Klein Windhoek, UN House, Ground Floor, Windhoek, Namibia
local government
Police emergency number 10111
Helps with: Reaches the police. UK government travel advice lists 10111, 999 and 112 together for ambulance, fire and police; the Canadian government page also gives 10111 for police.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 10111
local government
Medical emergency number 10177
Helps with: Reaches medical assistance (ambulance). This number comes from Government of Canada travel advice for Namibia.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors.
Phone: 10177