Considering that Namibia is largely desert, it may be difficult to believe that it can offer such an exciting and diverse range of marine adventures. From fishing safaris to a myriad of water sports activities for the more adventurous traveller — the world is your oyster.

Angling adventures
Any serious fisherman will agree that Namibia is a must-visit angling destination. It attracts great numbers of anglers with recreational ‘rock-and-surf’ angling being very popular around the December holiday season, especially in the coastal areas between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.

With so much variety as far as different adventures and species on offer, it’s no surprise that anglers always enjoy Namibia’s coastline whether for recreational or competitive fishing. Between November and March, thousands of anglers head for the coast each year in search of kabeljou (kob), galjoen, blacktail (dassie) and West Coast steenbras.

Angling from the shore can be an especially calming experience in Namibia as beaches are relatively uncrowded. Fly-fishers will find the northeastern tip of the Caprivi - where the Chobe and Zambezi rivers meet - a paradise second to none. This region also offers anglers the thrill of hooking up with carp, bass, catfish and tigerfish.

Especially popular with anglers is the West Coast National Recreation Area extending just north of Swakopmund to the Ugab River. Familiar angling spots include Mile 8, Mile 14, and Die Drom north of Wlotzkasbaken. Further north, in the Skeleton Coast Park, Torra and Terrace Bay are also very popular. To the south, the rocky coastline of Luderitz with its many beaches, small bays and reefs, offers anglers the opportunity to catch galjoen, steenbras, dassie or rock lobster.

Water sports for the adventurous… and not so adventurous
For the more adventurous, Namibia’s dams, the Atlantic Ocean and the Walvis Bay Lagoon are just some of the prime areas for water sports. Luderitz is a world-renowned coastal retreat characterised by a myriad of bays, lagoons and unspoilt stretches of beach. Here you can sail in the bay among seals and dolphins while windsurfers can head for Grosse-Bucht and Grosse-Lagune to get their thrills.

Walvis Bay provides windsurfing and boating while Swakopmund is also great for surfing and yachting. With its fresh southwesterly breezes, the Walvis Bay Lagoon attracts board sailing enthusiasts, while the latest craze in water sports is kite surfing. A little further inland, waterskiing, sailing and boardsailing are popular on Von Bach Dam (near Okahandja), Hardap Dam (just north of Mariental), and Lake Oanob close to Rehoboth.

Canoeing and rafting
Whether you believe that the Orange River was named after the folded, ochre mountains, the ginger-tinged water at sunset or the rising moon glowing gold with desert dust, few experiences compare with canoeing or rafting down this formidable river. The remote Kunene River in the north is another great area for canoeing and rafting enthusiasts.

The Okavango River offers a different, localised form of canoeing and you can enjoy a pleasant paddle while experiencing daily life on the river. Your trip will be interspersed with children playing, locals washing their clothes, bathing and fishing, or passing silently on a mokoro (a traditional dug-out canoe) while crocodile and hippo glide past. The exquisite bird life in this region is a sight to behold.

Diving
With temperatures ranging between nine and 17 degrees Celsius, and severely restricted visibility, diving off the Namib coast presents a challenge to even the most experienced diver. A daunting stretch of coast between Luderitz and Spencer Bay — where conditions are best between December and May — is a must-visit area for the professional diver.

Cave divers will look to get their kicks at Lake Otjikoto , which is the largest subterranean lake in the world and is located at Dragon’s Breath Cave on the Harasib Farm northwest of Grootfontein.

Dolphin cruises
The cold Atlantic waters off the Namib coast harbour a wealth of marine life and a dolphin cruise provides visitors with the opportunity to spot these beautiful marine creatures.

Catamaran Charters offers fantastic cruises aboard their luxurious vessels. Aboard the Dolphin and Seal Cruise, you’ll get the opportunity to feed some hungry seals and, if luck permits, spot leaping dolphins and perhaps even some shy turtles. The cruise departs from Walvis Bay Yacht Club and some of the highlights include a shipwreck, lighthouse, oyster platforms (with a special tasting of Walvis Bay’s own cultivated oysters), as well as a variety of bird and marine life.

In season, larger mammals such as Southern Right and Humpback whales can be spotted. Sightings of the Sunfish and Leatherback turtles also keep guests on the lookout. All this can be seen while relaxing in the saloon or on the deck with a glass of sparkling wine and delicious snacks.

For those who really want the five-star experience the Marine Desert Adventure is the perfect choice. After an exciting day on the boat, enjoying all that the Seal and Dolphin Cruise has to offer, guests depart on an exhilarating dune drive in the Sandwich Harbour area.

Breath-taking panoramic views of the picturesque dunes engulfed by the sea make for brilliant photographic opportunities. The tour takes place in the Namib Naukluft Conservation Area, which increases the chances of spotting animals like springbok and jackal. For keen bird-watchers, a visit to this pristine environment is an absolute necessity as it boasts both wetland and desert-based birds. For any visitor to the beautiful Namibian coast, this tour is a must.

Namibia is the perfect destination to combine a full range of marine activities that truly go beyond the tried and tested, and your stories of adventure will have friends back at home hanging onto your every word.

Published courtesy of Explore Namibia - Summer 2008


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