Situated on Namibia’s remote western coastline, it is named after the many ships that sank here over the past few centuries.
The rusted remains of wrecked ships are often surrounded by swirling mists, and make for moody and dramatic visuals.
The Skeleton Coast is home to the flourishing Cape Cross seal colony — one of the largest breeding colonies of Cape fur seals.
Why Visit?
- Once upon a time the entire coastline of Namibia was called The Skeleton Coast.
- The Skeleton National Park stretches the northern one-third of Namibia’s shore.
- The landscape in the park ranges from wind swept dunes to rugged canyons with walls of richly colored volcanic rock and extensive mountain ranges.
- The park’s ominous name is well earned given the scores of shipwrecks littering the beaches – the work of the Benguela Current, dense fog and rough surf.
- Bleached whale and seal bones also are visible back from days when the whaling industry was still active.
- But despite its appearance, the Skeleton National Park houses a great variety of species with its borders – big cats, desert-adapted elephant, black rhino and many more.
Climate
Summer (October – April)
Min 20°C/68°F Max 40°C/104°F
Winter (May – September)
Min 0°C/32°F Max 23°C/73°F