If you want to escape the crowds, or if you’re a keen angler, be sure to include the Skeleton Coast National Park in your itinerary. Within the park, Torra Bay and Terrace Bay are popular resorts and excellent fishing spots. One drives through the park when in transit between Henties Bay and Twyfelfontein. With the necessary fishing permit, you can stop at any of the beaches to fish, or to view the shipwrecks. Access to Torra Bay and Terrace Bay is limited to those with reservations. To explore the park north of Terrace Bay requires a permit from one of the concession holders, who are generally fly-in safari operators.

The only places to overnight in the Skeleton Coast National Park are Terrace Bay, Torra Bay and the campsite at Springbokwasser. Torra Bay is only open in December/January and visitors must be self-sufficient as campsites are very basic. Terrace Bay is open all year round and offers lodging and other facilities.
If you’re lucky you’ll find gemstone beaches in this park, places where the sands gleam with wave-polished precious stones like red & maroon garnets, magnetite (magnetic shiny black iron ore), amethysts, agate, ilmenite (containing titanium) quartzes and carnelians. This is a national park so you are not allowed to remove any of this material. Larger items of interest include scattered whale skeletons and shipwrecks.
The park contains rich lichen fields which survive on moisture from the coastal fog that sweeps in at night. Do not drive off the main tracks as you may destroy lichen fields and other vegetation.

ACCOMMODATION:
The only places to overnight in the Skeleton Coast National Park are Terrace Bay, Torra Bay and the campsite at Springbokwasser.
Torra Bay is only open in December/January and visitors must be self-sufficient as campsites are very basic. The ablution facilities were upgraded in recent years. Terrace Bay Camp is open all year round and offers lodging and other facilities.

FISHING:
Fishing from the shore is excellent, but remember that a permit is required. You must also acquaint yourself with bag limits and minimum sizes.

FUEL:
Take note: Garage or Petrol cards will no longer be accepted as a legal tender for purchase of fuel, spares or repairs in Namibia.
Cash, Debit and Credit cards are legal payment instruments, but many fuel stations choose NOT to accept Debit and/or Credit cards. But generally credit cards are accepted at garages in bigger and touristy towns. Take extra cash with still in case!

ROAD INFO:
The southern gate is at the Ugab river, some 207km north of Swakopmund. From there it’s a further 110km to the camp at Torra Bay and another 50km to Terrace Bay. The northern exit gate is at Springbokwasser, 40km east of Torra Bay. The road through the park is a very good ‘salt’ road.

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Skeleton Coast Travel Region