Sandwich Harbor can be reached in a few ways, but first, you must travel to Namibia’s capital, Windhoek. There are many flights available on websites like Expedia and Skyscanner.
Once you arrive in Windhoek, you can choose to stay in either Swakopmund or Walvis Bay. Even though Walvis Bay is closer to Sandwich Harbor, it is less interesting and doesn’t have the same charm as Swakopmund.
Swakopmund, with its rich history, old colonial buildings, museums, and more lively feel, is a better choice. Swakopmund is also known as Namibia’s adventure center, so it is easy to find tours going to Sandwich Harbor, even though it is only about 30 minutes away.
There are two main ways to get from Windhoek to Swakopmund: you can take a daily shuttle bus with Carlos Shuttle or Welwitschia Shuttle, or you can rent a car and drive as part of a longer trip.
Keep in mind that most shuttle pick-up points are in the center of Windhoek, not at the airport. This means you might need to take a taxi into town or stay one night in Windhoek. The trip takes about 4.5 hours, and the shuttles usually run twice a day.
Carlos Shuttle runs at 7:00 AM and 2:00 PM, while Welwitschia Shuttle runs at 1:00 PM. The cost is around 350 NAD (about 19 USD) per person.
Getting from Swakopmund to Sandwich Harbor needs careful planning because of the difficult terrain and tidal conditions. Sandwich Harbor is made up of sand dunes and water, with no actual roads.
Because the tides and landscape are always changing, driving on the beach can be very risky. You might get stuck in the sand dunes or, even worse, flip your car—something that has happened to inexperienced drivers, according to my guide.
Also, it is almost impossible for new drivers to find their way in this area. There are no signs after the entrance to the national park, and without a guide, it is hard to find the right places or drive safely.
