Angling, Henties Bay Fish Festival and other events
Since the discovery of the fountain in the Valley by Hentie van der Merwe, Henties Bay was renowned for its abundance in fish. Fishermen flock to this amazing place to share in the riches the sea so generously offered. The early visitors used a hand line secured to a stick, a piece of chain for a sinker and nails for hooks. Today fishing is still attractive and great fun and more and more fishermen flock to Henties Bay to partake in this popular sport. The main attraction is not only the fish, but the wide open beaches where serious anglers with their 4x4 vehicles are heartily welcomed and where the whole family can enjoy endless days on the beach.
Crowds flock each year in August to Henties Bay festival. The highlight of the festival will be the angling competition, in which the heaviest edible fish will earn the angler N$5 000. Several prizes will be awarded for other big fish caught. Angling permits are compulsory and can be bought in Henties Bay at the Fishing Centre, Swakopmund at the oceanarium or in Walvis Bay and Windhoek at the offices of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.Some main events also includes the “grammadoelas potjiekos”competition and the rubberduck race.
Events as the Christmas market, Angling Bonanza and Touchies in December are also top activities on the yearly calendar. The Henties fees will be from 29-30 Aug 2020. This festival has been placed on hold due to the corona pandemic. Please click on link for more details
4 x 4 Routes
For those days when the fishing is not perfect or if that is not your number one objective you may wish to explore the Namib desert.This has lately become an even more popular pastime than fishing!
Henties Bay is blessed with a diverse desert environment, ranging from flat gypsum plains to mountainous and riverine landscapes. The area around Henties Bay was previously known as central Damaraland and has no marked routes as it is still virtually undiscovered.
Please beware that this is remote area with very sensitive soil surfaces and lichen fields. Keep on existing roads and tracks and NEVER venture over virgin land.
The Henties Bay Tourism Association created maps with GPS coordinates for various 4x4 routes and an information booklet for each route is for sale at the Henties Bay Tourist Office.
Golfing
Hentiesbay also offers visitors the opportunity to play a round of golf in a completely different setting.
Hentiesbaai bied ook aan besoekers die geleentheid om 'n rondte golf te speel in 'n besonderse omgewing.
PARAGLIDING
For paragliding Henties Bay provides massive potential for the very serious big XC flights in summer where one can foot launch or winch to the fun dune flying on the vast and arid coastline dunes.
The dunes provide excellent opportunity for one most days in summer or winter with the sea breeze.
Shipwrecks
The Skeleton Coast is one of the most treacherous coastlines in the world due to strong crosscurrents, heavy swells and dense fogs caused by the Benguela Current. Henties Bay have several visible shipwrecks nearby. These wrecks provides excellent photo opportunities.
Chamanel – August 2012
Zeila - Aug 2008
Winston – Oct 1970
Spitzkoppe
The Spitzkoppe is situated about 100 km from Henties Bay on the D1918 to Usakos. It is probably the best-known and most famous landmark in Namibia. The Spitzkoppe ("Matterhorn of Namibia") is nearly 700 million years old.
It is a group of bald granite peaks located between Usakos and Swakopmund in the Namib desert of Namibia. The highest outcrop rises about 1784 meters (5857 feet) above sea level.
Swakopmund
Swakopmund is the highest coastal town in Namibia and lies 76 km south of Hentiesbay. This sea side town showcases its German origins in its European colonial architecture. Activities like sandboard or motorbike ride are very popular. Dining at the popular waterfront restaurant, marvel at the seabirds or visit the Swakopmund museum is recommended for the more relaxed visitor.
Namibian Dead Sea
A short distance from Henties Bay you will find the Namibian Dead Sea. The Strathmore mine is an old worked out tin mine which is filled with underground water. Due to the presence of various minerals, the salinity is very high, causing you to float freely, therefore the name "Dead Sea"
Locals claim it has healing powers.
CapeCross Seal Colony
70 km north of Hentiesbaai lies the Cape Cross seal Colony Reserve. One of the largest seal population of the world. It is home to 100 000 seals
