13 Fun things to do in Swakopmund, Namibia

Swakopmund is a charming coastal town located on the western side of Namibia where the Namib desert meets the Atlantic Ocean. It's a popular seaside town, not only as a beach destination but also as a perfect location for those seeking both excitement and relaxation.

There are plenty of fun things to do in Swakopmund making it a top tourist destination for visitors in Namibia. It's a popular stop to cool off from the desert heat and dust between two other major tourist attractions, Sossusvlei and Etosha National Park.

With its striking German architecture, thrilling outdoor activities, marine wildlife encounters and great food, Swakopmund has something for every type of visitor, from families to couples and adrenaline enthusiasts.

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We have visited Swakopmund more times than we can count as it was a major stopover during the tours we did. We also love to just make a stop for a quick visit during our own travels, just because we love the atmosphere and vibe.

We recommend to stay for at least 1 or 2 nights to either visit the town, take part in any of the tours on offer, like skydiving, quad biking or as a starting point for a visit to Sandwich harbour or just to relax from the intense touring in the desert.

As a lot of people travel with a 4x4 with rooftop tent, it's a great opportunity to book a room, do laundry, sort out your bags and to sleep in a real bed. In Swakopmund, there is no shortage of accommodation options, both budget and upmarket.

Some hotel recommendations:

So, without further ado, here is our list of heart pump activities to do in Swakopmund, together with some more serene activities for those who like a little less excitement:

Visit Sandwich Harbour

A visit to Sandwich Harbour is one of the most unforgettable experiences in Swakopmund. Combining adventure, natural beauty, dramatic scenery and a chance to encounter local flora and fauna, all in all, it's the best way to experience the desert and dunes.

On the way to Sandwich Harbour, you'll be passing pink salt lakes as well as the Walvis Bay lagoon where you'll be able to see lots of flamingoes and seals.

Situated just south of Walvis Bay, Sandwich Harbour is part of the Namib-Naukluft National Park and is famous for being where the vast dunes of the Namib Desert meet the rolling waves of the Atlantic Ocean. The contrast between the sand and the sea creates a one-of-a-kind landscape that’s absolutely stunning and well worth seeing.

So, if you’re into thrill-seeking 4x4 adventures, don't miss out on a Sandwich Harbour tour. It’s one of the most sought-after tours in Swakopmund, as this extraordinary location can only be accessed with an experienced local guide.

Good to know: Depending on your planning, you can choose between a half-day tour (around 4 hours) or a full-day guided tour (around 7 hours and includes lunch). On both tours, you'll be in a 4x4 vehicle with a driver/guide.

It's also possible to book a self driving guided tour where you'll use your own vehicle under the lead of a qualified guide. However, only consider the self-drive option if you are an experienced off-road driver as the tour can be quite challenging as it involves driving through deep sand while navigating steep dunes.

Skydiving in swakopmund

If you are looking for the ultimate thrill seeking activity in Swakopmund, I highly recommend to go skydiving. Swakopmund is an incredible place to skydive as it offers a unique combination of adrenaline, value for money and breathtaking scenery.

The jump takes place just outside Swakopmund, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Namib desert, the oldest desert in the world. The moment you jump out of the plane, you are greeted with a stunning panoramic view of the deep blue ocean, the Namib desert and the barren Skeleton Coast. Even during the flight to altitude, which takes around 30 minutes, you can enjoy the incredible landscape below.

My tandem jump with Ground Rush Adventures was a truly once in a lifetime experience for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Read here for information about how I jumped out of a plane in Swakopmund.

Good to know: The skydive company has been operating in Namibia since 1997 and have very experienced instructors with whom you'll feel totally safe and secure. While skydiving can be done in many places around the world, I highly recommend doing it in Namibia. The experience is fantastic, it’s more affordable than in many other destinations, and above all, it’s an unforgettable adventure.

Conquer the dunes by Quad biking & Sand boarding

Quad biking in the dunes is one of the most popular and fun things to do in Swakopmund. This activity offers the perfect mix of adrenaline and adventure as you ride up and down the stunning sand dunes just outside Swakopmund. Even if you are not an experienced quad biker, or if it is your first time, like it was for me, this quad biking tour will be a whole lot of fun. The group will be divided into more and less experienced riders both led by a qualified guide.

Before setting off into the desert, you’ll start with a safety briefing to get familiar with the quad bike. The ride begins at a gentle pace on flat terrain, giving you time to get comfortable handling the ATV. Once you reach the more rugged and higher dunes, the real adventure begins as you conquer the rolling golden sands by riding up and down.

Along the way, there are a few stops where you can soak in the breathtaking views of the surrounding desert landscape, perfect for catching your breath and snapping some photos.

Looking for more desert thrills? The quad biking tour is often combined with sandboarding, so you can experience the desert dunes in two different ways. Sandboarding comes in two forms: lie-down sandboarding, where you slide down the dunes on a board while lying on your stomach, and stand-up sandboarding, which is similar to snowboarding, except on sand!

One thing is sure, no matter if you slide down the dunes lying down or standing up, days later you will still find sand in some unexpected places. A sandy reminder and souvenir from your desert adventure.

Good to know: Depending on the time you have, there are 1-hour, 1,5-hour and 2-hour Quad Biking tours, either just quad biking, or in combo with Sandboarding. Should you want to do quad biking more relaxed and learn about nature and life in the dunes, then consider joining this little five desert wildlife quad biking tour.

Whale and dolphin WATCHING on a catamaran cruise

Walvis Bay, just a short drive south of Swakopmund, is a paradise for marine wildlife enthusiasts. Join a Catamaran Cruise through the bay of Walvis Bay where you'll have the chance to spot a variety of marine wildlife. Depending on the season, you might see whales, dolphins, and seals playing in the water, as well as leatherback turtles, pelicans, and flamingos in the area’s abundant wetlands.

The sailing tour departs in the morning and during the 3,5-hour journey, you'll have the opportunity to get up close and personal with seals, pelicans and other marine creatures. Sit back, relax, enjoy the snacks and refreshments on board (including oysters and sparkling wine) and take the opportunity to snap photos while marvelling at the wildlife and scenic coastline.

Good to know: The best chance of spotting whales, including southern right whales and humpback whales is from July to November. The other marine wildlife can be spotted all year round.

Kayaking among seals

For the more adventurous ones, you can join a kayaking tour to experience the Cape fur seals on Pelican Point up close. This tour takes you around Pelican Point which is a popular spot for seal colonies.

The journey starts in Walvis Bay, where you'll first drive by 4x4 to Pelican Point, passing the salt works factory and lakes along the way. Once you reach Pelican Point, you'll paddle in the relatively calm waters of the bay, getting closer to the seals and immersing yourself in the unique experience of kayaking among the playful animals.

This kayaking tour is a fun activity that takes around half a day.

Living Desert Tour

The Living Desert Tour was one of my favourite activities in Swakopmund. After all the adrenaline and thrill seeking adventures, it was time to take a step back in order to discover the living desert around Swakopmund.

This tour takes you on a fascinating trip through the barren landscape and dunes and reveals its unique wildlife and ecosystem.

Among the hidden treasures you can see are the smaller animals and wildlife of Namibia like chameleons, lizards, spiders, snakes and geckos, animals you would never see without an experienced guide. My favourites were the palmato gecko or Pachydactylus rangei, with its near transparant skin, colourful eyes and the Namaqua chameleon and the nearly invisible sidewinder adder.

TIP: This Living Desert Tour will pick you up from your accommodation in Swakopmund with a 4x4 to go and explore the dunes and find the little 5 and other desert creatures. There is a bit of walking involved so don't forget to bring sunscreen and a hat.
Should you want to combine Quad Biking and explore the Living Dunes, then this tour is for you.

Explore the town centre

Even though Swakopmund offers plenty of exciting activities and thrilling adventures for which most people visit this town, it's worth exploring the town center. And as Swakopmund isn't that big, it's very easy to explore the town center on foot. It is not Dubai.

While you stroll through town, you can experience the history and charm. The streets are lined with well preserved German style buildings and there is a lovely mix of shops, local markets, cozy cafes, delicious restaurants as well as souvenir and craft shops.

Definitely take a break at one of the cafes or bakeries to try a German style cake, or as they call it 'Kaffee und Kuchen'.

TIP: For more in depth information about Swakopmund and its history, I recommend joining this walking tour with a knowledgeable local guide.

Discover the waterfront and beach area

The Swakopmund beachfront area is a lovely hub where the desert meets the cold Atlantic Ocean, with wonderful ocean and sunset views and a relaxed atmosphere. During the day, the beach area is great for walks either on the beach or on the promenade along the beach. During the evening you'll have a chance to enjoy fresh seafood and other Namibian food dishes in one of the many restaurants or have a drink at one of the beachfront cafes.

The Swakopmund Mole is built along an historical seawall with the public beach stretching along the one side and a lovely small waterfront area with cafes and restaurants on the other side.

Keep in mind that even though it is a seaside town, the weather in Swakopmund isn't always very inviting to spend the day at the beach. The cold air from the Atlantic Ocean can make the temperatures drop to 15°C (59°F) sometimes combined with even colder wind, especially during winter. So make a point of having a windbreaker jacket on hand.

Walk on the Swakopmund Jetty

The Swakopmund Jetty is located at the end of Palm beach by The Tug Restaurant. The construction of the Jetty started in 1905 under German colonial rule. At that time, Swakopmund did not have a natural harbour and the building of this Jetty was an effort to create a reliable docking point for ships.

Over the years, the wood of the Jetty had to be replaced a couple of times as it did not withstand the harsh ocean environment. The Jetty was finely repaired and reopened in 2010 with the Jetty 1905 restaurant at the end of the pier.

It's worthwhile to take a walk up to the end of the Jetty to the restaurant to enjoy beautiful views over the ocean and Swakopmund. Even better to have a meal at the restaurant while enjoying the sunset.

Marvel at the the colonial architecture

As Swakopmund was founded in 1892 under German colonial rule, its architecture still strongly reflects this heritage. Many buildings in Swakopmund showcase distinct German designs or incorporate elements of traditional German architecture. This is evident in their colourful facades, ornate balconies, steeply pitched roofs and the use of timber.

Strolling through the streets of Swakopmund offers a chance to marvel at these beautiful buildings. Some of the notable colonial-era buildings worth visiting (from the outside) include:

Try fresh seafood and other Namibian foods

Swakopmund is not short on good quality restaurants where you can try fresh seafood and other traditional Namibian dishes. In fact, thanks to its coastal location, Swakopmund is a seafood lover's paradise. From grilled fish, calamari, prawns, oysters to the catch of the day, fresh fish and seafood is a must try. Try to book a table at either The Tug Restaurant or Jetty 1905 for some of the best seafood.

For seafood, local Namibian dishes and even German cuisine, there are plenty of options in town. We usually have a meal at The Lighthouse Restaurant, Kücki's Pub - Warm beer, Lousy Food, but any other restaurant in town is a great choice.

TIP: When visiting during peak season, book a table in advance as large groups visit and places get booked out, especially with the more popular restaurants in town like The Tug.

Learn history at the Swakopmund Museum

The Swakopmund Museum is the largest private museum in Namibia. Established in 1951, it showcases a collection of finds, artefacts, objects, minerals and indigenous plants that were found in Namibia. The exhibition takes you through the history of Namibia and showcases past and present, including the colonial past.

TIP: The museum is located on Strand Street near Palm beach.

Visit the Kristall Galerie

This small museum showcases a collection of minerals, crystals and gemstones that have been found in Namibia. It houses the largest known quartz crystal cluster on display, measuring 3 metres high and wide and discovered in Namibia in 1985.

Don't miss out on the scratch pit and the replica of a crystal cave you can walk through. There's also a gift shop selling all kinds of sculptures, semi-precious stones and more.

TIP: The museum is located on the Corner of Tobias Hainyeko and Theo-Ben Gurirab Avenue and open to visit from Monday to Saturday.

Additional suggestions for activities in swakopmund

More people visit Swakopmund for the above mentioned experiences. But, if you have some extra time off, then we have some additional suggestions to do in town:

• Snake Park: A small park in town where you can see a variety of reptiles, including some venomous snakes like cobras and black mamba. You'll find the museum on 5, Libertina Amadhila Street and you pay a fee to enter.
• National Marine Aquarium: Even though it's the only aquarium in Namibia, it's not very large. The aquarium gives insights into the natural marine life of the Benguela current.
• Mendesa Township tour: Join a township tour to meet locals and learn about their community, culture and language in the nearby Mendesa township.
• Swakopmund Lighthouse: The lighthouse was initially built in 1903 and is now one of the most recognisable landmarks of Swakopmund. There is a small and pleasant green park around the lighthouse with palm trees.