Henties Bay Guide (2026): Angling, Zeila Wreck, Cape Cross & Where to Stay

Henties Bay is a small fishing and holiday town about 72 km north of Swakopmund on the tarred C34, at the mouth of the usually dry Omaruru River. It is Namibia’s best-known shore-angling town, the last place to buy fuel before Cape Cross (approx. 55–60 km further north), and a 10-minute drive from the photogenic Zeila shipwreck. Most visitors stop for an hour or two on a Cape Cross day trip. Anglers, 4x4 drivers and people wanting a very quiet beach break stay for days.

Henties Bay at a glance#

The town is named after Hendrik “Hentie” van der Merwe, who reached this stretch of coast in 1929 while searching for water. A few kilometres south of the Omaruru River mouth he found a sandy valley with reeds, a sign of fresh water below the surface. He returned the following Christmas to build a wooden hut, and the spot became known as Henty se baai, Henty’s Bay.

For decades it was little more than a holiday camp for anglers. In 1951 plots in the riverbed were let out without permanent buildings, then in 1966 the riverbed was closed to settlement and land north and south of it was sold. A hotel followed in 1967, and the town grew from there.

Today Henties Bay has about 7,600 permanent residents (2023 census), a grid of holiday homes, and a seafront of viewpoints and picnic spots. In the December–January holidays, its population swells many times over as families and anglers arrive from Windhoek, the interior and South Africa.

Facilities: fuel stations, ATMs, supermarkets, a few cafés and restaurants, a tourist information centre (opened in 2016) and a NaTIS office. This is the last reliable fuel and shopping stop going north.

Things to do in Henties Bay#

1. Shore angling#

Fishing is the reason Henties Bay exists. Long, open beaches and rocky points north and south of town are lined with numbered and named angling spots, and in season you will see rows of 4x4s and rods along the shore.

• What you can catch: kob (kabeljou), steenbras, galjoen and, for specialists, bronze whaler sharks, which are generally released.
• Licence: recreational angling needs a licence from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR), sold at NamPost offices and ministry offices. There are daily bag limits, minimum sizes and restricted areas. Check the current rules before you cast.
• Guided fishing: local operators and some accommodation arrange guided shore-angling and boat trips. Ask at the tourist office or your guesthouse.
• Popular spots: the beaches around Jakkalsputz, south of town, are a classic angling stretch, and fishermen spread out along the coast in both directions.

2. The Omaruru River mouth#

The Omaruru River rises far inland and reaches the sea just north of town. Like most Namibian rivers, it is dry on the surface for most of the year, with water flowing underground. The broad sandy riverbed and its mouth are good for walks and birdwatching, especially early in the morning. After rare good rains inland, the river can flow, which is an event locals talk about for years.

About 30 km inland on the C35 towards Uis, the Omdel Dam has picnic spots and can be good for birds when there is water in it.

3. Walking trails#

The tourist office has, in the past, handed out maps for two long walks:

• Jakkalsputz trail: an unmarked beach walk of about 18 km.
• Omaruru River trail: options of roughly 20 km or much longer.

Trail details may have changed, so ask at the tourist office before you set out. Take plenty of water, sun protection and a charged phone, and tell someone your plans.

4. Golf in the desert#

Henties Bay has its own golf course, a surprising patch of green in one of the driest landscapes on Earth. Visitors can book a round. Ask at the clubhouse or tourist office for tee times.

5. The seafront and beaches#

The seafront has viewpoints, benches and picnic spots looking over the surf. It is a good place for a coffee, a sunset or a fish-and-chips supper. The beaches are wide and empty, but the sea is cold, rough and dangerous for swimming. Drownings happen on this coast, including people trying to help others in trouble. Admire it from the sand.

6. The Zeila shipwreck#

About 14 km south of town, a signposted turn-off from the C34 leads to a parking area above the beach and the wreck of the Zeila. This old fishing trawler, based in Walvis Bay, had been sold for scrap and was being towed away when its tow line snapped on 25 August 2008. It drifted ashore opposite a popular angling spot and has sat in the surf ever since, now crowded with cormorants.

The wreck is rusting and breaking up quickly, and much less of it is visible than in its early years. See it while you can, but do not try to swim or wade out to it: the surf here is powerful.

7. Cape Cross seal colony#

From Henties Bay, the C34 continues north as a smooth salt road for about 55–60 km to the Cape Cross Seal Reserve, home to one of the world’s largest Cape fur seal colonies, with up to around 210,000 seals in the breeding season. The reserve charges premium park fees (approx. N$280 per foreign adult since April 2026, plus a vehicle fee) and has seasonal opening hours. Read our Cape Cross seal colony guide before you go.

8. Further afield: Messum, Brandberg and Spitzkoppe#

Henties Bay is also a gateway inland:

• Messum Crater: a vast, remote volcanic crater reached on rough tracks. Go by 4x4 with a guide or with another vehicle, and carry everything you need.
• Brandberg and Uis: the C35 runs inland to Uis and the Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain, home to the White Lady rock painting. Allow a full day or an overnight stay.
• Spitzkoppe: reachable via the D1918 gravel road, a long but scenic route to Namibia’s most famous granite peak. See our Spitzkoppe day trip guide.

For a longer trip up the coast, our Skeleton Coast guide covers the national park permits and the road north to Torra Bay and Terrace Bay.

Getting to Henties Bay#

By car: the easiest option. Any car can manage the tarred C34. Drive carefully in fog, which often hangs over the road in the morning, and watch for wind-blown sand.

By tour: Swakopmund operators run Cape Cross day tours that usually stop in Henties Bay and at the Zeila wreck. Compare options in the booking widget on this page, or see our tours and packages guide.

By public transport: shared taxis and minibuses run between Swakopmund and Henties Bay, but they are infrequent and not set up for sightseeing. A car or tour is far more practical. See our car rental guide.

Where to stay in Henties Bay#

Henties Bay has a handful of hotels and guesthouses and a large number of self-catering holiday homes, many of them owned by Windhoek families and rented out when they are not using them.

• Desert Rendezvous: a well-reviewed guesthouse on Strandloper Street, a popular choice for couples and self-drive travellers.
• De Duine Hotel: the town’s long-standing hotel near the seafront, with about 20 rooms, a swimming pool, a bar with pool tables, a restaurant and braai facilities. It can arrange angling trips and other excursions.
• Self-catering houses and flats: the best option for families and fishing groups. Look on the big booking platforms and local holiday-rental sites. Our self-catering and Airbnb guide explains what to check.
• Camping: there are campsites along the coast near angling spots. Facilities vary from basic to reasonable, and availability changes, so check with the Henties Bay tourist office for current options.

Where to eat#

Henties Bay is a small town, so do not expect Swakopmund’s range. You will find a few seafood restaurants, takeaways serving fish and chips, a bakery or two, the hotel restaurant at De Duine and well-stocked supermarkets for self-caterers. Fish is the obvious choice: ask what was landed that morning.

Opening hours shrink outside the holiday season, and some places close on certain weekdays, so ask your accommodation what is open. For a broader choice of seafood, see our top restaurants in Swakopmund.

Day trip or overnight?#

Most travellers should do Henties Bay as a stop on a day trip: Zeila wreck, coffee in Henties Bay, Cape Cross, then lunch back in town. Our best day trips from Swakopmund shows how it fits with other excursions.

Stay overnight if you want to fish, explore inland towards Messum or the Brandberg, or simply enjoy a few days of empty beaches and fog.

Sample day trip from Swakopmund#

Best time to visit#

• Weather: mild all year, often foggy in the morning, with sunshine more likely from late morning. Temperatures are similar to Swakopmund’s. See our weather guide.
• Angling season: fishing is possible all year, but the town is busiest in the December–January holidays and around Easter.
• Quiet season: outside the holidays, Henties Bay can feel almost empty, which is part of its charm.

Tips and common mistakes#

1. Running low on fuel before heading north. Fill up here.
2. Swimming in the open sea. Currents are strong and the water is cold.
3. Driving on the beach or lichen plains without knowing the rules. Stick to designated tracks.
4. Fishing without a licence. Inspections happen, and fines are not worth the risk.
5. Leaving valuables visible at the Zeila wreck and beach parking areas.
6. Driving the salt road too fast, especially when it is damp from fog. It becomes very slippery.