FAQ
What you need to know about surfing and Namibia
Frequently Asked Questions
Surfing in Namibia
- Consistent & uncrowded waves means more waves for you!
- The nature in Namibia is spectacular and travelling here is a real adventure.
- Your trip in Namibia can be easily combined with a wild safari, which varies from 2 night to 14 days according to your budget and your preference! a 2-3 week guided tour or self-drive safari to see our vast, beautiful country, its many indigenous cultures and the spectacular wildlife – Deadvlei, Etosha National Park, Caprivi and the Fish River Canyon are just a few of the highlights.
Namibia is famous for surfing because of Skeleton Bay, a surf spot which advanced surfers and professionals flock to every year during the months of May to August.
Skeleton Bay, also know as Donkey Bay, is a 2 km long sand-bottomed wave, which is rated by elite level surfers around the world to be one the most powerful, fastest and most difficult waves to surf. It is on the bucket list of waves to surf for most serious surfers. It requires very specific conditions to work, so the timing of a surf trip to Skeleton Bay has to be perfect.
In 2019 Koa Smith from Hawaii caught a wave which he rode for 2 minutes and 13 seconds while being barrelled 8 times! There is no other place in the known surfing world where this is possible.
There are sharks in Namibia, however they are no big danger to surfers. Namibia has recorded zero shark attacks on surfers and swimmers. Sharks are rarely sighted while surfing even though there is an abundance of sea life. The largest common shark species in Namibia is the Bronze Whaler Shark, which can reach a length of just over 3 m and does not feed on marine mammals (e.g. seals) and feeds only near the ocean bottom (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper_shark#Feeding).
Why are there no Great White despite all the seal colonies? Due to the “upwelling” phenomenon along the South Western coast of Africa the visibility of the water in Namibia is very poor and our wide continental shelf means that the water is relatively shallow, even hundreds of meters from the beach. It is suspected that Great Whites do not occur near shore in Namibia as they require deep water and better visibility to attack from below as their sharky cousins in South Africa do. Two shark attacks are reported for Namibia on the link below – one involving a fisherman cutting off the shark’s fins in 1981, the other of a capsized boat in 1844 (https://www.sharks.org/global-shark-attack-file).
The crowds are generally very low. Namibia has a population of only 2.4 million, of which only about 5-7% live at the coast. Of these only a tiny percentage surf, as for some the water is too cold or they are simply not aware of the fact that there are surfable waves in Namibia.
On a day with excellent swell conditions, good weather and when people have time to surf, namely weekends and evenings, there may be 20-25 surfers at one spot. More than this is very uncommon and one can always just move to another spot – there are many options. In most of our surf sessions we are alone in our group or with a handful of other locals.
One exception is Skeleton Bay, which on a perfect and huge swell easily attracts 100+ expert surfers from around the globe. However here the strong current which can send you 500m down the point in a few minutes makes it impossible to stay in position by paddling – hence the crowd naturally gets thinned out by this conveyor belt style setup.
Swakopmund. Not only does it have dozens of surf spots in or just outside of town for all conditions and surf levels, but the town is also scenic, clean and safe, has really good bars, cafes, restaurants and supermarkets and it is possible to do everything on foot or bicycle. There are many non-surf activities to chose from for all budgets and tastes, from skydiving and sandboarding to eco-tours into the desert, fishing and many more.
See our “Activities ” page for more information. Walvis Bay on the other hand is inside a lagoon, so there are no waves closer than 10 km away. Lüderitzbucht has some fickle surf spots and the wind is a big problem unless you get lucky.
This depends on the swell and wind conditions which vary day by day and seasonally. The waves can be anything from gentle, knee high (0.5m) for beginners to double overhead (4m+) barrels for the experts. We always match our choice of surf spots as closely as possible to your surf level and comfort level. Unsure of your surfing level? Check out our surf level guide here.
Very few. We have near zero water pollution, very mild currents, very few urchins, our rocky reefs are usually covered by soft plants/mulluscs and as it is not crowded in teh lineup, surfers pose little danger to each other.
Hazards do include: UV the sun is harsh even when foggy, so quality, eco-friendly sunblock is a must; sharp rocks/mussels/barnacles to enter at some surf spots, so bring booties – they also help for the cold strong currents and rip-currents only at few spots surfed by advanced surfers only.
Usually 12-18 deg C. Please see the “Dedicated Section related to the season and water temperature!.
Sometimes we have four seasons in one day. Please see the “Surf Seasons in Namibia” section on the “Surf With Us” page for detailed information.
- Sand bottom beach breaks;
- reef breaks where rocks are usually covered by plants like moss and kelp;
- point breaks;
- slabs;
- wedges
- sand spits like Skeleton Bay.
Namibia is known for the longest left-hand barrel in the world, Skeleton Bay, and there is a slight bias towards lefthanders in Namibia, however there are a lot of high quality righthanders too. The point breaks are generally lefts.
We have surfable waves almost every day 300+ days/year or around 85-90%. On some days one might surf a minimal or a longboard or head to some swell magnet spots for bigger waves. For more information see our “Surf Seasons in Namibia” section.
Because the surfing population in Namibia so small, pretty much all local surfers know each other – Literally. As a visitor you will be noticed so have respect.
Namibian surfers and Namibians in general are very friendly, welcoming and proud of their beautiful country. LINEUP ETIQUETTE is a big deal in Namibia so have respect, say hi, wait your turn and go for waves that match your skill level.
You will still get more waves than in most places around the world and usually there is no one else in the water to even think of.
Are you tired of surfing in crowded lineups making it hard to catch enough waves to improve your surfing?
Or are you chasing the longest barrel in the world, the world famous Skeleton Bay, which lies only 1 hour from the surf camp?
Either way, you have come to a country offering fantastic waves – high quality, consistent and uncrowded spots for all levels.
In many surf sessions it is only our group in the water, sometimes joined by a handful of local surfers. In Namibia surf spots rarely have more than 10 local surfers out – 20 is already a crowd for us. This means more waves for you!
Surf Camp
Yes, we have a diverse range of surfboards (from beginner friendly options such as soft-tops of every length, to mini malibus, longboards, eggs, fishs, shortboards).
Breakfast and a morning surf session followed by a world-class coffee in one of the town’s cafes to unwind and share stories of the surf.
After lunch we spend the afternoon relaxing, exploring nearby sights & attractions or getting adventurous with some adrenaline packed activities. The evening leaves time for a sundowner in the sand dunes or a cold drink by the ocean. Dinners are often spent together around a BBQ fire, in a beer garden with live music or at a delicious wine bar & pizzeria.
On prime surf days we’ll do two sessions or spend the whole day at one of the far away point breaks in the wilderniss – sorrounded by shipwrecks, jackals & seals, usually dolphins and sometimes even whales & penguins!
Nature & waves are outside of our control, but we can almost 100% guarantee: Uncrowded, often empty waves. Surfing with seals, dolphins and amazing birdlife.
Minimum 5 surf sessions in your 7 days with us, but if conditions allow 2 sessions per day for 7 days is totally possible!
Besides the surfing, we trust you’ll have an unforgettable trip to beautiful Namibia with its vast, beautiful landscapes, raw wildlife and amazing people.
Summer months November-April are ideal for beginner-intermediate surfers – for complete beginners you’ll learn in a fun, step-by-step way how to surf according to ISA guidelines and in safe beginner conditions.
May to October is great for intermediate to advanced surfers – here the focus is on surfing many different spots and conditions to push your surfing. With over 20+ spots to choose from in our area, we drive you to suitable spots according to your surf level.
We believe that a week spent surfing in Namibia will expand your surfing comfort zone and make for some unforgettable sessions. In every surf, whether a beginner lesson in the whitewash or a barrel riding session at Skeleton Bay, our coaches, experienced surfers with ISA qualification, will be helping you improve and make sure you are safe and having fun
Surf camps are hosted at our surf house which is in the safe neighborhood in the town centre. “Surfing | Sustainable Living | Extraordinary Food” is our way of life here.
The surf house sleeps 14 guests: 6 in the dorm, the rest in four private rooms. Each room has a unique look & style and included in the accommodation are: Breakfast, seasonal fruit, coffee & tea, drinking water; unlimited, fast wifi.
The property features: a big room full of surfboards and wetsuits for surf camp guests to use; a beautiful garden with lawns and edible plants & herbs for delicious, healthy cooking; a chill areas, hammocks and a comfy lounge with board games and books to read; fitness equipment, table tennis/beer pong, slackline and balance board; 4 bicycles for guests to use; honesty bar stocked with beers, wines, softdrinks, snacks and chocolates
We also have international volunteers who help at the surf house and not all guests booked into the surf house are surfers – this means there are always fun people around to spend time with outside of surfing. Our friendly staff and volunteers will gladly advise you on anything you need and we offer a service to book activities, airport transfers and safaris.
The surf house has many systems in place to make our operations as eco-friendly as possible including energy efficiency measures, compost & recycling systems, even biogas to cook on!
We also wish to support our local community and therefore support the development surfing NGO “Namib Sustainable Waves” and it can be arranged on request that surf camp participants join the NGO’s events with the kids like surf lessons, beach cleanups and educational outings.
We have surf spots within the town, some of which are walking/cycling distance away. Other spots in untamed nature outside of town are accessible by 4×4 vehicle only. Spots include beach breaks, reef breaks, point breaks, slabs and of course the miracle barrel of the surfing world – the 2km long sandspit of Skeleton Bay. Our guides have lived and surfed here long enough to know when to take you where.
Surf photography & video analysis can be booked at additional cost and are charged per group per session.
For those who want to experience more of Namibia’s waves, we also offer a 3-day Skeleton Coast Surfari on request – a surf trip to the Skeleton Coast Park, either camping or lodging to suit your budget & preferences.
MOST IMPORTANT: Travel insurance for medical, injury, trip cancellation, lost baggage, theft etc.
- Boards (or use ours)
- Wetsuit 4/3mm (or use ours)
- 3mm booties for reefs recommended
- 3mm hood for windy days (optional)
- Clothes for warm and cold/windy weather
- Reusable flask for water, tea, coffee
Payments & refunds are made using a secure credit card payment link sent via email. Surf camp prices do not include additional service fees by the payment service providers.
Booking procedure:
- 50% reservation fee payable to book (8 spots per surf camp available).
- Remaining 50% payable 21 days before start date of surf camp.
- If booking within 21 days of start date, full surf camp price payable at once.
- Failure to pay the above booking fees within 72 hours of receiving the payment link from Salty Jackal will result in your spot on the surf camp being cancelled.
If participant cancels more than 21 days before start date of surf camp, there are 2 options:
- Voucher (valid 1 year from start date of surf camp) for 100% of reservation fee for a future surf camp.
- 50% of reservation fee is refunded, 50% of reservation fee is the cancellation fee.
If participant cancels 7-21 days before start date of surf camp:
- 50% of full surf camp price is refunded
- 50% of full surf camp price is the cancellation fee.
If participant cancels 0-7 days before start date of surf camp:
- 25% of full surf camp price is refunded
- 75% of full surf camp price is the cancellation fee.
No-show participant without prior communication in writing: no refund.
Refunds due to injury or illness during the surf camp will not be considered and participants should insure themselves for this case. We recommend travel insurance which covers medical, injury, trip cancellation, lost luggage, theft, etc.
It is the participant’s responsibility to book flight and other transportation to and from the surf camp in such a way that he/she can attend the full surf camp program.
If force majeur event (event outside of human control) occurs more than 21 days before start date of surf camp, there are 2 options:
- Voucher (valid 1 year from start date of surf camp) for 100% of reservation fee for a future surf camp.
- 50% of reservation fee is refunded.
If force majeur event occurs less than 21 days before start date of surf camp, there are 2 options:
- 1. Voucher (valid 1 year from start date of surf camp) for 75% of full surf camp price for a future surf camp.
- 2. 50% of full surf camp price is refunded.
Namibia has consistent waves all year around and Salty Jackal is confident to provide surfers with waves according to their surfing level with the help of our local guides.
However please note that surfing is an activity which is at the mercy of nature and we therefore cannot guarantee suitable waves every day.
Surf School
Yes. We have a wide variety of surf spots in Namibia including sandy beaches and the swell conditions are often but not always suitable for beginners. See the “Surf Seasons in Namibia” section on the “Surfing” page for detailed information. One of the greatest things about learning to surf in Namibia is that there are low crowds, so this gives beginners the chance to practise more as there is less competition for waves in the water. As long you you are not expecting tropical water temperatures and coconuts in Namibia, you will find our beaches great and safe to learn surfing on.
Deutsch, English, Italiano, Afrikaans. Depending on availability.
Most surfers use a 4/3 mm wetsuit. Booties are strongly advised for rocky spots and additonal protection from the cold. A hood for the less sunny or more windy days is recommended. Gloves are hardly ever needed in Namibia. A 5/4 mm is useful for those that are prone to freezing easily or that want to surf extended sessions, for example at Skeleton Bay, where it is not uncommon to surf from sunrise to afternoon.
Generally a surf lesson with Salty Jackal is 2.5/3 hours long. This includes the time to get changed in and out of wetsuits, theory and dry land exercises and warmup stretches. Time spent in the water is 1.5-2 hours.
Yes. Surf gear is included in surf lessons at no extra cost. If you wish to use our own gear, you can do this too, however if the instructor notices your progress could be faster on a different board, we will suggest to use one of our boards.
Surf House & Adventures/Day Trips
Yes there are handful of local yoga studios and instructors in Swakopmund and other bigger towns. Yoga tours are also available in Namibia.
It’s easy. There are direct flights from Frankfurt to Windhoek with Lufthansa group as well as flights via Ethiopia, Qatar and South Africa.
You have the choice to fly either to Namibia’s capital Windhoek and catch a daily door-to-door transfer bus (4 hour trip costing +-NAD 300) to our town Swakopmund at the coast or you can fly to Walvis Bay, which is only 40 km from the surf camp and get an airport shuttle to our doorstep.
Namibia is politically stable, the coastal town of Swakopmund is one of the safest in Namibia as are most other towns, the general infrastructure is good, the drinking water is safe and should something happen, there are good hospitals in major towns.
Namibia is sometimes referred to as “Africa for beginners”. Especially in the cities it feels more western than one might have imagined: good infrastructure, low crime, easy communication in English and German, food & drinks with European influence, supermarkets with familiar items and most other comforts and necessities like good coffee, yummy bakeries, fast internet, pharmacies and modern hospitals.
As always when travelling one should be vigilant and not leave valuables in sight unnecessarily. One of the biggest dangers in Namibia are gravel and salt roads driven by unexperienced drivers and the really bad driving of the Namibian locals on the highways.
Swakopmund is a picturesque town in the Namib Desert between sand dunes and the Atlantic Ocean. Nature is on its doorstep – a walk along the beach or into the desert dunes is literally around the corner.
The town is small and safe, so it’s possible to get around on foot or bicycle very easily, even at night. Various supermarkets, restaurants, beergardens, bars are 5-15 minutes walk away.
Swakopmund also has dozens of great restaurants, beer gardens with live music, bars with karaoke, and fantastic coffee from our two local roasteries as well as bakeries, small art galleries, museums and (covid permitting) fun nightlife! A beer in a bar costs 1-2 Euros and a restaurant meal 5-15 Euros.
To some visitors’ surprise the town has a very German look and feel to it and German is widely spoken here as Namibia was once a German colony. Now it is a stable, democratic republic with an economy relying on mining, fishing and tourism. The currency used is the Namibian Dollar (NAD) and the exchange rate to the Euro is approx 1 Euro equal 17-20 NAD.
Apart from surfing, Swakopmund is great to hang out in. There is a huge variety of things to see and do for all tastes and budgets: from adrenaline activities like skydiving, quad biking & sandboarding in the dunes, skydiving, to cultural tours, desert wildlife tours, dolphin cruises, fishing and many more. We as your hosts also take you into the Namib desert for a spectacular sundowner or a BBQ under the stars for star photography.
Yoga classes are available a studio within walking distance – join their regular classes or book private classes. Rock climbing, paragliding and kitesurfing are possible nearby.
Buffet style breakfast is included every morning of your stay. We provide: coffee, tea, bread, eggs, jams & peanut butter, cereal & granola.
Lunch & dinner are not provided by us as there are so many good and affordable options in our area to eat & drink – just ask us for recommendations for seafood, traditional Namibian, German cuisine, pizza, Indian etc.
We also have a fully equipped self-catering kitchen and BBQ area where we all gather around a fire sharing stories from the waves. Sometimes we organise “sign-up dinners” where we cook something amazing for a small fee for those who want to join. Other days we end up all going out for a fun night of drinks & food together, or BBQ under the stars.