The Breathtaking Skeleton Coast of Southern Africa

When you think about incredible beach destinations, the Atlantic coast of Angola and Namibia may not be at the top of your list.

However, a hauntingly beautiful area known as the “Skeleton Coast” waits for intrepid travelers that find themselves in this region in southern Africa.

The Skeleton Coast’s name owes itself to the nearly inhospitable conditions that exist in the coasts of southern Angola and northern Namibia. The Namib Desert is the ecosystem that creates a dry coast with almost zero vegetation. Less than 10 millimeters of rainfall here on average per year.

The results of these conditions are massive sand dunes, the eerie, dried-out hulls of ships that were led aground by the sea’s rough currents and by the blankets of fog that tend to envelop the sea and the coast, and an amazing contrast between the light yellow walls of sand and the deep blues of the Atlantic.

There are plenty of things to do for visitors to the Skeleton Coast, other than simply look at the landscape. The Skeleton Coast National Park, encompassing a third of Namibia’s coastline, allows for wildlife safaris and trips to explore the canyons and mountain ranges that traverse the landscape.

If you’re a surfer, the Skeleton Coast offers some of the best waves in the word to ride. The best time to go is in winter, from May to September, because of the rougher weather and wind in this time of year. Many companies offer 4x4s and surfing excursions to explore the coast on your board.

Run, don’t walk, to check out this unique and beautiful place.