In days gone by, the entire coast of Namibia was known as the Skeleton Coast. Today it is the name of the northern stretch of coast from the Ugab River up to the Kunene River. Skeleton Coast Park, now a national park, was proclaimed in 1971. Covering 16,845 km2, it protects nearly a third of Namibia’s coastline.
It is notorious for its treacherous waters, rough surf, shifting shores and changeable weather.

Yet, life flourishes in this seemingly hostile desert. Elephants, lions, brown hyenas, birds and other desert-adapted wildlife are at home in this unforgiving land.
Famed for its shipwrecks estimated to number in the thousands, its daring rescues and stories of brave survivors, the Skeleton Coast exudes a sense of danger. Thick fog, gale-force winds and the strong Benguela Current make this a difficult part of the ocean to safely navigate. To this day the Skeleton Coast still claims its victims.
Among the best-known ships that met their fate on this coast, are the Eduard Bohlen, Dunedin Star, Cawdor Castle, Suiderkus, Sir Charles Elliot and Karimona.