Backpackers & Surf Camp
Surfing | Sustainable Living | Extraordinary Food
Not a Tropical Paradise
But as a surfer you probably don't care.
Surfing along the oldest desert in the world not only offers consistent, year-round quality waves for all levels with low crowds - on top of this, the Namib desert's mesmerizing scenery and the endless barrels of Skeleton Bay will remain etched in your mind.
Be prepared, this place is wild.
The desert climate can be harsh and you might surf alone with no soul in sight apart from some friendly seals and dolphins, while jackals surround the car on the beach - it's all part of the adventure.
For all the facts like, sharks, safety and the cost of beer, read on or see our Surf Namibia FAQ and Namibia Travel Info.
- Stay Salty! -
Let's Go Surfing
Whether it's your first surf lesson or you're a seasoned tube lord comfortable riding the longest, and one of the fastest and heaviest barrels on earth - Skeleton Bay - or anything in between, we are ready to get you stoked and filled up on Vitamin Sea!
Why Us?
In-depth knowledge of surf spots and local conditions.
ISA qualified & 1st aid trained guide/instructor.
Our company is licensed & insured according to Namibian regulations.
We speak English, Deutsch, Italiano, Afrikaans, Dutch and a bit of French too!
Tube lords: we know when Skeleton Bay is working and will gladly advise on if a trip is worth it or not.
We take you surfing according to your level. Simply choose from our options below.
Surf School
Beginner - Intermediate Level
Swakopmund and the surrounding area have some beautiful empty beaches which are safe for beginners to learn surfing on.
Our ISA qualified surf instructors introduce you to the fun of surfing in a safe, step by step way according to your experience and ability level. Lessons happen almost daily and depending on the conditions we either run beginner or intermediate level lessons.
Contact us to arrange your surf lesson.
NAD 750 pp
NAD 950 pp
NAD 1450 pp
Prices
Once-off lesson in group
Private group lesson
1-on-1 Lesson
NAD 500
NAD 750
Spring
Special
from
27 July '23
Guided Surf Trips
Intermediate - Elite Level
We take you surfing along the Skeleton Coast.
Our local guides know how to find the wave best each day according to your preference.
For the tube-lords out there, we offer strike missions to the longest barreling wave known - Skeleton Bay,
all you need to do is fly to Walvis Bay and we'll pick you up there!
Contact us to arrange your surf trip.
NAD 750 pp
NAD 1450 pp
NAD 1650 pp
NAD 3200 pp
NAD 1500 pp
Prices
Half day in group (4h)
Half day 1 on 1 (4h)
Full day in group (10h)
Full day 1 on 1 (10h)
Full day Skeleton bay
NAD 500
Spring
Special
from
27 July '23
Beginner - Advanced Level
Join us for a 7 days and 7 nights program, including surfing, accommodation, exclusive activities and other perks.
Surf Camps are hosted every Thursday thoughout the year and we offer camps for beginners, intermediates and advanced surfers according to the wave conditions of that particular surf season.
Surfaris to more distant surf spots in Namibia are offered on a request according to the group's available dates and lodging preferences.
See full information and available dates below.
Rental & Repair
Boards & Wetsuits
We have a variety of boards for you to shred on - shortboards, longboards, fishes, softtops.
Our wetsuits are all 4/3mm and 5/4mm and we have suitable sizes for kids & adults.
NAD 350
NAD 500
NAD 2500
Prices
Half day (4h) - per set
Per 24 h - per set
Per week - per set
What's my surfing level?
First timer:
Never surfed before.
Beginner:
Some past surfing experience or attended surf lessons before, has stood up on whitewater/small green waves on large board.
Intermediate:
Able to catch unbroken waves, trim sideways, duckdive and paddle to backline in some conditions. Waves up to '4ft' (2m). Medium to high fitness. Hard board with volume 35-80L. Familiar with lineup etiquette and has probably tried not only beach breaks.
Advanced:
Surfs any spot type, waves up to '6ft' or greater (3m +). High level of fitness. Board matched to surfer's body and surf style.
Surf Seasons in Namibia
Certain seasons are more suited to certain surfers. And of course since surfing is at the mercy of nature, these guidelines are not 100% accurate - each year is different and there are always surprises, like scoring Skeleton Bay for Christmas!
Swell?
Namibia has consistent waves all year round. Our coast is surfable close to 365 days of the year with good-excellent conditions of clean high period swells on over 250 days of the year.
Weather?
Mild but moody - we can have 4 seasons in any one day. Air temperatures rarely drop below 10 deg C even in winter. Any day of the year can turn out sunny with temperatures usually in the 20's and rarely, when we have hot desert winds, even well into the 30's. When the sun doesn't shine due to fog, air temperatures are usually 15-20 deg C.
Wind?
Most days have zero or slight wind in the morning - this is prime surfing time often with glassy conditions. Late morning usually brings a mild to strong onshore which lasts well into the afternoon. Sometimes there is an evening glass off when the wind dies down and it's time for that sunset session.
Dec-Feb:
Small to medium sized swell perfect for surf lessons and intermediate level surfers. It's our summer with water temperatures of 14-17 deg C and in January and February as high as 25 deg C. Of course for advanced surfers, there are options too and there can always be an unexpected big swell or two.
March-April:
An exciting mix of conditions for beginners, intermediates and advanced surfers with usually mid-sized swell and the odd big one. A bonus is some of the mildest and warmest weather of the year with favourable winds. Water temperatures drop to 12-20 deg C.
May-Aug:
Swell season a.k.a Donkey Season is May-August. This is our winter, when frequent far away storms in the South Atlantic send big, clean ground swells towards Southern Arica's coast. These first hit the Western Cape in South Africa and then make their way up the West Coast of Africa to Namibia together with Saffas heading north on the N7 highway towards the barrel of all barrels - Skeleton Bay.
As for the weather, May-July usually have the lowest wind and are surprisingly warm, while in August is starts to get colder and windier. Water temperatures are usually 12-15 deg C, hardly ever colder. Best for intermediate to advanced surfers, as we surf a variety of break types not suitable to beginner lessons. Of course there are exceptions, so lessons are not impossible, just unlikely.
Sep-Nov:
Certain spots come alive during these colder and more windy months, which are best suited to ambitious beginners, intermediates and advanced surfers. Water temperatures are typically 12-17 deg C and there is a mixture of small, medium to large swells.
For more facts like sharks, safety and the cost of beer - see our Surf Namibia FAQ and our Travel Namibia Info.
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Why is Namibia famous for surfing?Namibia is famous for surfing because of Skeleton Bay, a surf spot which advanced surfers and professionals flock to every year during the months of May to August. Skeleton Bay, also know as Donkey Bay, is a 2 km long sand-bottomed wave, which is rated by elite level surfers around the world to be one the most powerful, fastest and most difficult waves to surf. It is on the bucket list of waves to surf for most serious surfers. It requires very specific conditions to work, so the timing of a surf trip to Skeelton Bay has to be perfect. In 2019 Koa Smith from Hawaii caught a wave which he rode for 2 minutes and 13 seconds while being barreled 8 times! There is no other place in the known surfing world where this is possible.
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Is it sharky in Namibia?There are sharks in Namibia, however they are no big danger to surfers. Namibia has recorded zero shark attacks on surfers and swimmers. Sharks are rarely sighted while surfing even though there is an abundance of sealife. The largest common shark species in Namibia is the Bronze Whaler Shark, which can reach a length of just over 3 m and does not feed on marine mammals (e.g. seals) and feeds only near the ocean bottom (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper_shark#Feeding). Why are there no Great White despite all the seal colonies? Due to the "upwelling" phenomenon along the South Western coast of Africa the visibility of the water in Namibia is very poor and our wide continental shelf means that the water is relatively shallow, even hundreds of meters from the beach. It is suspected that Great Whites do not occur near shore in Namibia as they require deep water and better visibilty to attack from below as their sharky cousins in South Africa do. Two shark attacks are reported for Namibia on the link below - one involving a fisherman cutting off the shark's fins in 1981, the other of a capsized boat in 1844 (https://www.sharks.org/global-shark-attack-file).
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Is Namibia suitable for beginner surfers?Yes. We have a wide variety of surf spots in Namibia including sandy beaches and the swell conditions are often but not always suitable for beginners. See the "Surf Seasons in Namibia" section on the "Surfing" page for detailed information. One of the greatest things about learning to surf in Namibia is that there are low crowds, so this gives beginners the chance to practise more as there is less competition for waves in the water. As long you you are not expecting tropical water temperatures and coconuts in Namibia, you will find our beaches great and safe to learn surfing on. If you are unsure of how your surf level, see our "What's My Surf Level" section.
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How crowded is the surf in Namibia?The crowds are generally very low. Namibia has a population of only 2.4 million, of which only about 5-7% live at the coast. Of these only a tiny percentage surf, as for some the water is too cold or they are simply not aware of the fact that there are surfable waves in Namibia. On a day with excellent swell conditions, good weather and when people have time to surf, namely weekends and evenings, there may be 20-25 surfers at one spot. More than this is very uncommon and one can always just move to another spot - there are many options. In most of our surf sessions we are alone in our group or with a handful of other locals. One exception is Skeleton Bay, which on a perfect and huge swell easily attracts 100+ expert surfers from around the globe. However here the strong current which can send you 500m down the point in a few minutes makes it impossible to stay in position by paddling - hence the crowd naturally gets thinned out by this conveyor belt style setup.
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What is the best town in Namibia to be based for surfing?Swakopmund. Not only does it have dozens of surf spots in or just outside of town for all conditions and surf levels, but the town is also scenic, clean and safe, has really good bars, cafes, restaurants and supermarkets and it is possible to do everything on foot or bicycle. There are many non-surf activities to chose from for all budgets and tastes, from skydiving and sandboarding to eco-tours into the desert, fishing and many more. See our "Activities " page for more information. Walvis Bay on the other hand is inside a lagoon, so there are no waves closer than 10 km away. Lüderitzbucht has some fickle surf spots and the wind is a big problem unless you get lucky.
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What languages are surf camps, lessons and guiding offered in?"Deutsch, English, Italiano, Afrikaans.
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How big are the waves in Namibia?This depends on the swell and wind conditions which vary day by day and seasonally. The waves can be anything from gentle, knee high (0.5m) for beginners to double overhead (4m+) barrels for the experts. We always match our choice of surf spots as closely as possible to your surf level and comfort level. Unsure of your surfing level? Check out our surf level guide here.
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What wetsuit do I need for Namibia and what about booties, hood and gloves?"Most surfers use a 4/3 mm wetsuit. Booties are strongly advised for rocky spots and additonal protection from the cold. A hood for the less sunny or more windy days is recommended. Gloves are hardly ever needed in Namibia. A 5/4 mm is useful for those that are prone to freezing easily or that want to surf extended sessions, for example at Skeleton Bay, where it is not uncommon to surf from sunrise to afternoon.
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Are there yoga classes and yoga studios in Namibia and Swakopmund?Yes there are handful of local yoga studios and instructors in Swakopmund and other bigger towns. Yoga tours are also available in Namibia.
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What hazards are there to surfers in Namibia?Very few. We have near zero water pollution, very mild currents, very few urchins, our rocky reefs are usually covered by soft plants/mulluscs and as it is not crowded in teh lineup, surfers pose little danger to each other. Hazards do include: -UV the sun is harsh even when foggy, so quality, eco-friendly sunblock is a must -sharp rocks/mussels/barnacles to enter at some surf spots, so bring booties - they also help for the cold -strong currents and rip-currents only at few spots surfed by advanced surfers only
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How cold is the Atlantic water in Namibia?Usually 12-18 deg C. Please see the "Surf Seasons in Namibia" section on the "Surf With Us" page for detailed information.
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How is the weather at the coast in Namibia?Sometimes we have four seasons in one day. Please see the "Surf Seasons in Namibia" section on the "Surf With Us" page for detailed information.
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How long is a surf lesson?Generally a surf lesson with Salty Jackal is 2-2.5 hours long. This includes the time to get changed in and out of wetsuits, theory and dry land excercises and warmup stretches. Time spent in the water is 1.5-2 hours.
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Is surf gear included in surf lessons?Yes. Surf gear is included in surf lessons at no extra cost. If you wish to use our own gear, you can do this too, however if the instructor notices your progress could be faster on a different board, we will suggest to use one of our boards.
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Is surf gear included in surf camps/guiding/trips?No, it is available at a small additional fee. See relevant pages for more information.
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What type of surf breaks and spots are found in Namibia and are they left or right?1. Sand bottom beach breaks 2. Reef breaks where rocks are usually covered by plants like moss and kelp 3. Point breaks 4. Slabs 5. Wedges 6. Sand spits like Skeleton Bay Namibia is known for the longest left-hand barrel in the world, Skeleton Bay, and there is a slight bias towards lefthanders in Namibia, however there are a lot of high quality righthanders too. The point breaks are generally lefts.
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How consistent is the surf in Namibia?We have surfable waves almost every day 300+ days/year or around 85-90%. On some days one might surf a minimal or a longboard or head to some swell magnet spots for bigger waves. For more information see our "Surf Seasons in Namibia" section.
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How is the localism at Namibian surf spots?Because the surfing population in Namibia so small, pretty much all local surfers know each other - Literally. As a visitor you will be noticed so have respect. Namibian surfers and Namibians in general are very friendly, welcoming and proud of their beautiful country. LINEUP ETIQUETTE is a big deal in Namibia so have respect, say hi, wait your turn and go for waves that match your skill level. You will still get more waves than in most places around the world and usually there is no one else in the water to even think of.
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What is the best way to get to Swakopmund?Namibia has two international airports: 1. Windhoek Hosea Kutako (+-410 km from Swakopmund) - daily shuttle buses operate door to door from Windhoek to Swakopmund. 2. Walvis Bay International ( +-45 km from Swakopmund) - airport shuttle to Swakopmund available.
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Is Namibia safe as a country?Namibia is politically stable, the coastal town of Swakopmund is one of the safest in Namibia as are most other towns, the general infrastructure is good, the drinking water is safe and should something happen, there are good hospitals in major towns. As always when travelling one should be vigilant and not leave valuables in sight unnecessarily. One of the biggest dangers in Namibia are gravel and salt roads driven by unexperienced drivers and the really bad driving of the Namibian locals on the highways.