Sundowners at the Coast

Sundowners

at the Coast

Text   Ena Visagie   |   Photographs   Ena Visagie

From the Summer 2021/22 issue

A beautiful sunset has our generation in raptures. Captured, captioned and posted, as the sun says its last goodbyes before disappearing until tomorrow. Understandably so, especially when in Namibia where the Namib Desert meets a restless ocean. This is Namibia, raw and rejuvenating!

Here are a few of my favourite spots for sundowners at the coast. Picturesque, yes. But I want to encourage you to put your cellphone and camera away, and just relish the magical moment.

WALVIS BAY LAGOON

With some catching up to do to resemble the Sea Point promenade in Cape Town, the Walvis Bay Lagoon is one of the most peaceful places to enjoy the sunset, and luckily, not nearly as congested. This is where locals walk their dogs or go for a run, and where tourists take photographs of the pink flamingos and multicoloured sunset.

VOGELFEDERBERG

Vogelfederberg is a mountain in the Erongo Region, no more than an hour’s drive from Walvis Bay. There are great camping spots but you can also just make it a late afternoon trip to enjoy sundowners. The wonderful thing about the view from the mountain is that you not only have the sunset to admire but also get to experience dusk in your desert surroundings. Drinks, sun, sand and sea!

THE DUNES

Engage 4×4 mode! Any dune next to the road between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay is a good spot for sundowners! Pack your drinks and get going a little earlier to allow for time to play around in the dunes, whether with your vehicle, children or dogs. It is the perfect way to end the day – unwind and enjoy quality time. If you are up for it, and the wind allows, I highly recommend packing a small grill for boerie-rolls.

THE BEACH

The beach can be the perfect location for a romantic sundowner date or a fun outing with friends and family. The Benguela Current along Namibia’s coastline is the reason why the water is quite cold (max around 20°C), but nevertheless many people love swimming here. Whether it is a weeknight or a weekend, someone will always have a line in the water, tempting their luck for a fish, while others are flying kites riding motorbikes or just admiring the view.

BAY HOTEL SKY BAR

The Bay View Hotel in Dolphin Beach is right on the beachfront, and it has a sky bar on the top floor. Small, but a front row seat for the sunset, and cocktails to order – yes please! TNN

RESTAURANTS WITH STUNNING SUNSET VIEWS

• Jetty 1905, Swakopmund
• The Tug, Walvis Bay
• Blue Grass, Swakopmund
• Anchors, Walvis Bay
• Rojos, Walvis Bay

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