The name ‘Skeleton Coast’ refers to Namibia’s northern coastline between the Kunene and Swakkops Rivers. The Atlantic Benguela current gives rise to dense fog for many months of the year because of its coldness, and when you add in the fact that there are frequent storm-force winds, many ships are driven onto the rocks or run aground here. The result is the largest ship graveyard in the world.
Crew members that survived the ship wreck then found themselves in a harsh desert environment with no fresh water. It was their sun-bleached skeletons and the remains of their ships that gave the coastline its name of Skeleton Coast, especially when the frequent whale and seal bones found along the coast when the whaling industry was active were added in.
Much of the Skeleton Coast is protected by the Skeleton Coast National Park, established in 1971. The south of the park is open to visitors, but most of the wrecks that can still be seen are found in the North. These are therefore best scene from the air, either flying in/out of the park or on an organised air safari.
