The Skeleton Coast, the most hostile coastal stretch of Namibia

The Skeleton Coast is the northernmost part of the Atlantic coast of Namibia, and known as one of the wildest and most hostile coastal stretches in the country. It is a sandy and desolate area, almost 6500 square miles of stunning Skeleton Coast National Park. The waters off this place are famous for their strong currents, dense fogs and treacherous sand banks in constant motion. These extreme climatic conditions, when combined with strong sand storms has been considered the cause of the sinking of over a thousand ships. Many shipwrecks, together with the skeletons of large cetaceans, are still scattered on the beach as far as the hinterland.



This desolate coastal strip with a threatening denomination and has often been characterized by massive storms, due to the cold Atlantic currents meeting with the warm currents of the African continent. Experienced Portuguese navigators called it the "beach of hell", while the Bushmen gave it the name of "land that God created in anger." The only way not to get trapped in this portion of the coast was to navigate completely around it.



The Skeleton Coast, despite its particularly prevalent inhospitality, still carries charm. The humidity provided by the fog that pushes inwards for miles guarantees the life of many animal species - from insects to reptiles, and large mammals such as elephants, giraffes and lions. The shipwrecks on the beach and at sea, attract only the most adventurous travelers, mostly photographers looking for spectacular and surreal landscapes. An infinite space made of sand, water and nothing else, where nature once again demonstrates its inimitable power.

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