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Looking south along the seafront at Henties Bay, Namibia

Henties Bay

Namibia’s leading shore-angling town, on the coastal route between Swakopmund and Cape Cross.

Henties Bay is a small, quiet town on Namibia’s central Atlantic coast, built along the usually dry bed of the Omaruru River roughly 70 kilometres north of Swakopmund. It is best known as the country’s leading shore-angling destination, a low-key holiday town that swells with fishermen and their families over weekends and school holidays and returns to a sleepy pace the rest of the year. For most travellers it is a stop or short base on the coastal route north towards Cape Cross and the Skeleton Coast, rather than a headline destination in its own right.

Henties Bay at a glance

RegionNamibia Coast (Erongo Region)
SettingAtlantic coast, on the dry bed of the Omaruru River
Known forShore and rock angling, the Zeila shipwreck, gateway to Cape Cross
Distance from SwakopmundApproximately 70km, around 1 hour by road
Visit formatShort coastal stop or angling-focused base

Town development

Henties Bay developed slowly through the twentieth century from an informal camping spot favoured by anglers into a proper coastal town. Local accounts trace the name to a nickname, “Hentie”, associated with an early visitor who camped and fished at the site before any permanent settlement existed.

Unlike Swakopmund or Walvis Bay, Henties Bay never developed as a colonial administrative or commercial centre, and its layout remains that of a low-rise holiday town, with many houses used only seasonally by families from Windhoek and the interior. The town now falls within Dorob National Park, proclaimed in 2010 to protect the coastal strip between the Swakop and Ugab rivers, linking the Namib-Naukluft and Skeleton Coast protected areas into one continuous coastal conservation corridor.

Main attractions and experiences

Shore angling. Henties Bay is widely regarded as Namibia’s premier shore and rock angling destination, with species such as kabeljou (kob), galjoen and blacktail commonly targeted from the beach and rocky points nearby. Tackle shops in town can advise on current conditions, permits and access points.

The wreck of the Zeila on the beach near Henties Bay, Namibia

The Zeila shipwreck

A rusting fishing trawler that ran aground on the beach south of Henties Bay in 2008 while under tow for scrapping. It now sits visibly offshore in the surf and is a popular photography stop for anyone driving the coastal road.

Photo: Olga Ernst, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Dorob National Park. The park surrounds the town and protects a long stretch of coastal desert, lichen fields and gravel plains, best appreciated by staying on existing roads and tracks.

Day trips and nearby attractions

Cape Cross Seal Reserve lies roughly 70 km further north and is the most common day-trip or onward stop from Henties Bay. Swakopmund and Walvis Bay lie to the south along the same coastal road.

Road and vehicle considerations

The road between Swakopmund and Henties Bay is tarred and suitable for any vehicle. North of Henties Bay towards Cape Cross and beyond, road surfaces change to compacted salt or gravel, and conditions should be checked locally, particularly after rain.

Safety and environmental considerations

Fog and cool onshore winds are common, and the Atlantic here has strong currents and cold water, so swimming is generally not advisable. Anglers should be aware of tide times and rogue waves on the rocks and beach. Off-road driving on the surrounding gravel plains and lichen fields should be avoided, both for safety and because it causes long-lasting environmental damage.

Responsible travel guidance

Stick to existing roads and tracks rather than driving onto the gravel plains or lichen fields, follow any local angling size and bag guidance, and treat the Zeila wreck and beach areas with the same care as any other stretch of protected coastline within Dorob National Park.

Where to stay and what to book in Henties Bay

Henties Bay accommodation is almost entirely self-catering — beach cottages, flats and whole holiday houses rather than hotels — which suits multi-night fishing stays and Skeleton Coast trips. Book ahead for December and Easter; the rest of the year the town is very quiet.

Places to stay near Henties Bay

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How the town began

Henties Bay exists because of fresh water. The site was used by anglers from the 1920s onwards after a spring was found near the mouth of the Omaruru River, and the settlement that grew there was for decades little more than a seasonal fishing camp — a scatter of shacks used by people who came for the surf angling and left again.

It formalised slowly into a town, and its character still reflects that origin. Henties Bay is a holiday and retirement town rather than a commercial centre, quiet outside the fishing season, and oriented almost entirely towards the sea and the coastal road north. For travellers it functions mainly as the last comfortable base before the Skeleton Coast.

Nearby destinations

Namibia Coast. The wider region Henties Bay belongs to.

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Swakopmund. The main coastal town, roughly 70 km south.

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Walvis Bay. The coast’s main port town, further south.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Henties Bay worth a stop if I do not fish?

Yes, briefly. The Zeila shipwreck and the coastal desert scenery make it a worthwhile short stop even for non-anglers travelling the coastal route.

Can I swim at Henties Bay?

Swimming is not generally recommended given the cold water and strong currents. Most visitors come for angling or sightseeing rather than swimming.

Do I need a permit to fish at Henties Bay?

Recreational angling in Namibia generally requires a licence, and local tackle shops are the best source of current requirements, closed seasons and bag limits.

Last reviewed: 27 July 2026.

Planning a stop at Henties Bay?

See the wider Namibia Coast region, build a self-drive route along the Atlantic coast, or check the practical planning guides before you go.

Namibia Coast hub Self-Drive Namibia guide Itineraries Travel Planning

Where to stay in Henties Bay: the town has its own stock of self-catering cottages, flats and holiday houses, mostly cheaper than the equivalent space in Swakopmund. Browse Henties Bay accommodation, or accommodation in and around Swakopmund if you would rather base yourself 70 km south.

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