Henties Bay City Guide

Namibia

Henties Bay City Guide

Henties Bay is a quiet coastal town in Namibia known for fishing, 4x4 trips, and unspoiled beaches. It’s about 72 km from Swakopmund and sees many visitors during holidays. The town is a good base to visit the Cape Cross seal colony and the National West Coast Recreation Area.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Good
6

Seafood and meats like game, beef, and lamb are common. Braais (barbecues) are popular social events. Vegetarian options exist mainly in supermarkets.

Local Dishes:
Game meat, Braai (barbecue), Seafood
International Cuisine:
Basic international cuisine in supermarkets
Vegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Poor
3

Nightlife is calm with a few small pubs. It’s quiet after dark.

Coffee Culture
Poor
0

No data on coffee scene quality or specialty cafes.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Tipping is polite but not required. 10-15% in restaurants is common. Small tips for favors and drivers are appreciated. Use cash in Namibian Dollars.

Top Attractions
Henties Bay Beach
Beach
Long, unspoiled beaches for relaxation and walks.
Henties Bay Golf Course
Sports
A nine-hole golf course in town.
The Gallows
Historical
Historical navigational aid and local landmark.
Cape Cross Seal Reserve
Nature
Largest Cape Fur Seal colony near Henties Bay.
Zeila Shipwreck
Historical
Famous shipwreck 14 km south of town.
Messum Crater
Nature
Geological site within Dorob National Park.
SIM Cards

SIM card registration is mandatory with valid ID and address proof. MTC is a main provider. eSIM availability is unclear.

Available at:
MTC Stores
Local mobile shops
Recommended Apps
Google Maps(Navigation)
Google Translate(Utility)
Airbnb(Accommodation)
iOverlander(Travel)
Namibia App(Guide)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Poor
0

No clear information on cleanliness or sanitation standards.

24/7 Services
Poor
0

Limited 24/7 services or night availability known.

Groceries
Henties Bay OK Grocer
Henties Bay Spar
Usave Henties Bay
OK Mini Mart
Your Woermann Henties Bay Main Branch

Supermarkets like Henties Bay Spar and OK Grocer cover daily needs. They stock some international products. Stores usually follow regular hours and may close on Sundays.

Cashless Payments
Cash preferred

Cash is preferred, especially outside urban areas. Credit cards are accepted more in cities but may not work everywhere.

ATMs

ATMs are available at banks like First National Bank, Bank Windhoek, and Standard Bank. Carry smaller bills of Namibian Dollars or South African Rand, both accepted equally.

Schools
Local only

Information on schools and English language instruction is not available.

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Not Available
Work-Friendly Cafés
Poor
Digital Nomad Community
Poor
1

Very limited or no digital nomad community in Henties Bay.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Good
7

Access to beaches and walking trails provide green space nearby.

Running
Good
6

Beaches and walking trails offer running routes.

Gyms
Not Available

No specific gyms listed but there are tennis and squash courts plus a golf course.

Tennis
Limited
5

Tennis courts are available in town.

Padel
Poor
0

No known padel courts.

Yoga
Poor
0

No information on yoga studios or wellness centers.

Martial Arts
Poor
0

No details on martial arts training or facilities.

Skiing
Poor
0

No skiing options due to climate and terrain.

Water Sports
Poor
0

No clear information on kayaking, paddleboarding, or sailing.

Surfing
Good
7

West Coast offers good surfing but specifics in Henties Bay are unclear.

Diving
Poor
0

No known diving facilities or spots in Henties Bay.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Limited
5

There are clinics and a dental practice in town. English-speaking staff are generally available. Private care tends to be better. Pharmacies supply common OTC meds.

Hospitals:
HentiesBay State Clinic
Coastal Dental Clinic
Healing Hands Medical Practice CC
Benguela Medi-Centre
Pharmacies:
Local pharmacies in town
Tap Water Safety
Not recommended

Tap water is not recommended for drinking; use bottled or filtered water.

Common Scams
People offering favors like cleaning windows or watching cars expect small tips.

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Good
6

Good for families due to beaches and golf course. Limited kid-focused amenities.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Poor
0

No specific information on LGBTQ+ friendliness available.

Pet Friendly
Good
7

Several pet-friendly accommodations exist, often welcoming small to medium dogs.

Communities
Local Tourism Is Lekker (Travel)
Camping In Namibia (Travel)
DriveNam (Travel)
Kamp In Namibia (Travel)

Quick Facts

Population
4,725
Power Reliability
Limited
5/10

Power supply is generally stable but occasional outages can occur.

Beach Access
Available

Beaches are clean, quiet, and mostly undeveloped with great fishing spots.

Mountains
Available

Nearby areas include the Ugab River and Skeleton Coast Park. Spitzkoppe mountain is accessible but usually via Swakopmund tours.

Languages
English(80%)
Afrikaans(15%)
German(5%)
Emergency
112
Emergency
911
LifeLink Emergency Rescue Services

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
0
🏔️
Earthquake
Very Low Risk
0

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Fog
Year-round
Frequent fog reduces visibility, common due to Benguela Current.
High Humidity
Year-round
Humidity can reach 85%, especially with fog.
Berg Wind Heat
Winter months
Hot dry winds can raise temperatures over 35°C in winter.
Very Low Rainfall
Year-round
Rainfall is less than 10 mm per year; the climate is very arid.

No reviews yet

Be the first to share your experience at this place

💬 Feedback & Bugs