Beach holidays on our coastline look a little different. The Skeleton Coast did not earn its name for being a sunny swimmers’ haven. It is called that way for being majestically moody and predominantly overcast, with the cold Benguela Current ruling the restless waters. Sure, the sun comes out and the wind takes a break every so often, but loving our coast includes indulging in its almost constant cooler weather. Going for beach walks here means wearing a sweater and sensing how the baby hairs around your face curl from the crisp moisture. It is a different kind of Namibia from the dry interior, a welcome respite and utterly magical in its own right.

We are rightfully proud of our distinctive coastal towns. In the deep south, Oranjemund and Lüderitz are quaint time capsules of the diamond rush. Then comes Walvis Bay, our charismatic harbour town, and Swakopmund, which could be an old town forklifted from the countryside of Germany and dropped on our coastline. A little further north, the small settlement of Wlotskasbaken intrigues with its iconic water towers and wood cabins. But Henties Bay, an angling haven and self-proclaimed retirement destination, receives little acclaim.

As a frequent holidaymaker in this tiny town, I can testify that there is not much to do in Henties Bay. And that is a good thing! Enter Ietsiemeer Beach House, the very best place on our coastline to blissfully do nothing.

This family home sits in the southern part of the town’s residential area, overlooking the sea. Turn into the quiet cul de sac and you’ll instantly notice a tower at its end, protruding from the surroundings like a proverbial lighthouse. The stone tower acts as both an impressive double-storey foyer and a water container inspired by the traditional woven baskets of the country’s north. Step through the giant front door into the courtyard and a 180-degree view of the Atlantic Ocean through floor-to-ceiling windows awaits.

Ietsiemeer’s six sea-facing and four courtyard rooms are finished with desert sand hue screed floors, rounded open shelving and rich wood textures. Minimalist decor rarely feels so warm and welcoming! The most recent addition to the home is two first-storey rooms with balconies, overlooking the courtyard and offering a sea view beyond. With crisp linen and the sound of the Atlantic, a good night’s rest is guaranteed, but this beach house is much more than just a place to rest your head.

Operated on a self-catering basis, booking Ietsiemeer means exclusive use of the entire house during your stay, making it absolutely ideal for bigger groups over longer stays. The magnum opus of the home is definitely the kitchen, dining and living spaces, created especially to connect with the ocean view as well as friends and family through cooking meals in the courtyard braai area or expansive kitchen, sharing stories around long teak wood tables, or sunken into cosy sofas. Our coast’s wind met its match with Ietsiemeer, constructed around an open-air centre space, allowing for shelter and quiet relaxation away from the predominant element, yet still embracing the outdoors.