The Skeleton Coast - Namibia
The Bushmen of Namibia call it ‘The Land God Made in Anger’, while Portuguese sailors referred to it as ‘The Sands of Hell’. This gives an insight into the harsh and treacherous terrain that makes up the infamous Skeleton coast, one of the world’s most unforgiving coastlines. This is evident in the vast numbers of shipwrecks which pepper the beautiful beaches on the coastline. These add to the haunting beauty of the Skeleton Coast, with its endless pristine dunes and unique geological formations alongside what is essentially a maritime graveyard. The rocky seas which were so often the peril of sailors now make the Skeleton coast one of the best places for surfers. One of the best ways to see the coast is to take to the skies in a small plane, where you can truly appreciate the vast and wondrous landscape in all its magnitude.
Where is it?
The coast runs from the northern part of the South Atlantic coastline of Namibia up to the southern coast of Angola to the Swakop River.
What is it?
One of the harshest coastline’s on earth, and one side of the remarkable Namib Desert. Dense ocean fogs known as Cassimbo, which often envelop the shore, made sailing past Namibia hugely dangerous, which in turn led to it earning its famous nickname.
Best time to visit?
Namibia enjoys a sub-tropical climate, and the best time to visit is during the peak of the dry season, from June to September, when the weather is most temperate.
Must See?
One of the coast's best-known wrecks is a British liner, the Dunedin Star, which was beached by her master after hitting a reef, although some argue a U-boat was the cause, in the 1940’s. Whale Bones mark the graves of the unfortunate sailors, and this eerie but spectacular sight is well worth the trip.
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