Henties Bay- Travel Tips

What to See, How to Plan & Tours

Nestled along Namibia's rugged Skeleton Coast, Henties Bay is a coastal town with a seafaring legacy dating back to 1929, when Hendrik "Henty" van der Merwe discovered a life-giving freshwater source during a rhino-hunting expedition—prompting its evolution from a solitary retreat into a fishing-focused settlement. Today, with just over 7,500 residents, the town serves as a quiet fishing hub, particularly prized for shore and boat angling, while acting as a gateway to the expansive Cape Cross seal reserve and the stark, eerie beauty of the Skeleton Coast. Beyond its maritime heritage, Henties Bay offers access to sensitive desert ecosystems where vivid lichen fields cling to gypsum plains nourished by coastal fog—fragile habitats that reward early morning visits with breathtaking color displays. The area invites exploration via marked 4×4 routes, hiking trails such as the Omaruru River and Jakkalsputz paths, plus encounters with geological marvels like Messum Crater and the Welwitschia mirabilis, whose ancient forms tell stories of Earth's distant past.