The C34 leads from Swakopmund along the coast towards the north into the so-called "National West Coast Tourist Recreation Area". It is particularly popular with fishermen but the scenery is quite monotonous. It is often foggy, the road slippery and unsafe. After 70 kilometres, you get to the little fishing village of Hentiesbaai. The relatively young town, with its colourful holiday houses situated at the mouth of the Omaruru River, forms the centre of deep-sea fishing. It is especially crowded during the South African and Namibian school holidays.
61 kilometres further north, lies Cape Cross. The Portuguese seafarer Diego Cão, in 1486, was the first European to land here and he put up a Padrao (cross) in honour of the king of Portugal. An enormous colony of 100000 seals, has established itself at Cape Cross.
Dense fogs, mighty storms and violent surf caused many ships in the past to run aground along the Skeleton Coast, and the desolate coastline has become known as the world's biggest ship graveyard. Those who were shipwrecked and managed to swim through the roaring surf and reach the coast, still didn't stand a chance of survival because of the waterless, hostile, 300km wide coastal desert. Top left: Anglers at the Skeleton Coast. Below: Shipwreck at the Skeleton Coast. Top right: Flight across the Skeleton Coast. Below: Cape Cross.
