The Skeleton Coast is the northern part of Namibia's Atlantic shore, protected as Skeleton Coast National Park: 500 km from the Ugab River to the Kunene River on the Angolan border. You can drive into the southern part on a public road through the Ugabmund or Springbokwasser gate. Since 1 April 2026 a foreign adult pays N$280 per day, the same as in Etosha.
Key points
- Skeleton Coast National Park was proclaimed in 1971 and took its present form in 1973. It stretches 500 km along the coast and about 40 km inland.
- The name comes from the shipwrecks, bones and debris on its beaches; dense fog and the cold Benguela Current made the coast deadly for ships.
- Visitors reach the south of the park on the C34 coastal road and the C39 to Springbokwasser. Off-road driving is not allowed in any zone.
- Fees from 1 April 2026: N$280 per day for a non-SADC foreign adult, N$180 for a child over 8 and under 16, N$60 for a car.
- Terrace Bay is open only with a booking; Torra Bay campsite opens only in December and January.
Why is it called the Skeleton Coast?
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) describes windswept beaches "littered with shipwrecks, bones and other debris". Dense coastal fog and cold sea breezes come from the cold Benguela Current, which runs north along the coast; Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) says the shipwrecks and fog give the area its "aura of mystery and impenetrability". This is also why the Skeleton Coast is called dangerous: fog, cold water and a long, remote shore.
What can you see on the Skeleton Coast?
- Shipwrecks and an empty coastline along the C34 road.
- Lichen fields: MEFT has recorded more than 100 species of lichen in the park.
- Desert-adapted wildlife: MEFT lists desert-dwelling elephant, lion, cheetah, Hartmann's zebra, oryx and springbok, and the park is a sanctuary for desert-dwelling rhino. Off the coast there are Heaviside's dolphins, and 306 bird species have been recorded.
- Fishing: Terrace Bay is known to anglers; MEFT requires a fishing licence before you enter the park if you plan to fish.
Skeleton Coast permits and gates
MEFT says park permits are issued at the gates. The southern gate is at the Ugab River (Ugabmund); the eastern gate is Springbokwasser on the C39. MEFT's management plan names two public roads through the park, the C34 and the C39, and allows no off-road driving in any zone.
Lonely Planet reports a free transit permit for driving between Ugabmund and Springbokwasser: you enter before 13:00 and leave through the other gate before 15:00 on the same day, and the transit permit is not valid for Torra Bay or Terrace Bay. Travel guides also report that the north of the park beyond Terrace Bay is not open to self-drive visitors. MEFT does not publish these rules online, so confirm them at the gate.
All Namibian parks share a set of MEFT rules: no pets, no motorcycles, no travelling in open vehicles or on open loading bays, no hitchhikers, no leaving the marked roads and no getting out of the vehicle except where allowed.
Skeleton Coast National Park fees in 2026
| Visitor (per day, from 1 April 2026) | Non-SADC foreign | SADC national | Namibian |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult (16 and over) | N$280 | N$180 | N$60 |
| Child over 8 and under 16 | N$180 | N$100 | free |
| Car with up to 10 seats | N$60 | ||
Skeleton Coast is in MEFT's top fee category, together with Etosha, Namib-Naukluft, Dorob and the Cape Cross Seal Reserve. Fees are per day, with a 24-hour minimum, and are not refundable.
Where to stay: Terrace Bay and Torra Bay
- Terrace Bay is NWR's resort inside the park, near the Uniab River delta, with rooms, beach chalets and a restaurant. MEFT says entrance is only with a booking.
- Torra Bay is an NWR campsite with 60 pitches, open only in December and January.
Skeleton Coast and Cape Cross: the southern approach
South of the Ugab River lies Dorob National Park, which includes the towns of Henties Bay and Swakopmund. The Cape Cross Seal Reserve is in the north of Dorob, on the way to Ugabmund. MEFT calls it the world's largest breeding colony of Cape fur seals, with up to 210,000 seals in November and December; the Portuguese navigator Diogo Cão planted a stone cross there in 1486, and a replica stands today.
What to check before you go
- A booking at Terrace Bay or Torra Bay if you plan to stay overnight in the park.
- Gate times and the transit rule at Ugabmund or Springbokwasser on the day.
- Fuel and water: the park is remote, so plan your fuel stops before you enter.
- A fishing licence, if you intend to fish.
This material is provided for reference. Data as of October 2026.
FAQ
Why is the Skeleton Coast called the Skeleton Coast?
Because of what washes up there. Namibia's environment ministry describes beaches littered with shipwrecks, bones and other debris, the result of dense fog and the cold Benguela Current along a remote shore.
Do you need a permit for the Skeleton Coast?
Yes. Park permits are issued at the gates, Ugabmund in the south and Springbokwasser in the east. Lonely Planet reports a free transit permit between the two gates, with entry before 13:00 and exit before 15:00 the same day.
How much is the Skeleton Coast National Park entrance fee?
From 1 April 2026 a non-SADC foreign adult pays N$280 per day, a child over 8 and under 16 pays N$180, and a car with up to 10 seats costs N$60 per day.
Are there lions on the Skeleton Coast?
Yes. Namibia's environment ministry lists desert-dwelling lions, elephants and cheetahs in Skeleton Coast Park, and describes the park as a sanctuary for desert-dwelling rhino.
Can you camp on the Skeleton Coast?
Inside the park, NWR's Torra Bay campsite opens only in December and January, and Terrace Bay has rooms and chalets that must be booked. South of the park, Dorob National Park has campsites at Mile 72 and Mile 108.
