It’s a coastal city in the Erongo region of western Namibia. 70 km north of Swakopmund.
And it’s not just fish they’re famous for but skeletons. Of the shipwreck kind. 500 huge, empty vessels are scattered along the coast, from wooden Portuguese galleons which submerged hundreds of years ago to modern steel-hulled ships. Can you imagine your elation? You survived! You survived the sinking! You’re saved! Life is beautiful! But then you realise you’re in a desert. With the odd lion wandering around considering afternoon tea. Hmm. Probably should have gone down with the ship.
De Duine Hotel is on the beach. It's a budget-friendly option and good if you're looking for some of the world's best surf and deep sea angling spots.
Clearly you have the whole Skelton Coast in front of you.
The hotel can help you arrange angling tours, dolphin cruises, sky diving, 4x4 excursions and scenic flights.
If you do want to fish you can catch 20kg silver kob, or kabeljou as locals call it, or 150kg bronze whaler sharks. In fact Henties Bay is the only town on this stretch of Namibian coast known as the Dorob National Park (the former National West Coast Recreation Area). It is also part of the Skeleton Coast National Park.
There’s obviously a plethora of other marine life too. Green turtles can be found north of Henties Bay.
It’s a good place to walk. The Jakkalsputz Walking Trail is an unmarked 18km walk from The Gallows to Jakkalsputz. And there’s a low-tide rocky shore walk, which is good for noseying around for marine wild life.
The Omaruru River Walking Trail offers a choice of either 20 or 70km walks. You can get maps for both Omaruru walks and the Jakkalsputz Trail from the Tourist Office.
If you want to venture further and birds are your thing, head for the Omdel Dam. For animals the Ugab River is home to desert adapted elephants and 70km to the north of Henties Bay is the seal colony of Cape Cross. You can also drive to Spitzkoppe or Swakopmund which is about 70km away.
Or stay in Henties Bay. There are several shops and a novel 9-hole golf course.
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