Swakopmund can be called Namibia's own Riviera, as it's very popular with Namibians who visit during the summer to escape the heat inland. It's Namibia's most popular coastal resort and it looks very much like a Bavarian village, with characteristic shops, as well as restaurants and hotels. The original wooden pier, The Mole, wich is silted up, creates a lovely sheltered beach. Its pretty promenade add to its popularity as a bathing site where surfing is also good.

Swakopmund offers many sightseeing attractions, including the railway station, built in 1901, a museum, brewery, art gallery and an aquarium. Activities here include exciting adventures on the magnificent dunes, horse races, sailing, motor racing, soccer, tennis and beer fests.

South of Swakopmund, 31km away is Walvis Bay, which originally started out as a whaling station. It is the principal port of entry and has a flourishing fishing industry. Huge flocks of flamingoes, pelicans and other water birds gather at the lagoon and the bird sanctuary. Walvis Bay Lagoon is one of Africa's most important wetlands. Bird Island, en route to Swakopmund, is a huge wooden platform built in the sea to provide coastal birds with somewhere to roost.