You are standing at the top of a huge sand dune. The slope drops away steeply in front of you. The sand at the bottom looks very far down.
You lie flat on a sandboard. Your guide gives you a little push. And then you go.
Sandboarding near Walvis Bay is one of the most popular activities on the Namibia coast. The dunes here are enormous. Dune 7, located just outside Walvis Bay, is one of the tallest coastal dunes in the world at around 120 metres. The sand is soft and clean. The slope is long and fast.
How Sandboarding Works
There are two ways to sandboard. The first is lying down, face forward, holding a board under your body like a sled. This is the faster way. You can reach good speeds on a long dune face. The second way is standing up, like a snowboard. This is harder to control but very satisfying when you get it right.
Your guide teaches you how to steer before you go. They show you how to lean into turns and how to stop at the bottom. Most people need only two or three runs before they start feeling confident.
After each run, you hike back up. The walk takes effort but the view from the top makes it worth it.
No experience is needed. The guide provides the board, helmet, knee pads, and gloves. All you need is energy and a willingness to try.
Sandwich Harbour in the Afternoon
After sandboarding, the tour continues by 4×4 to Sandwich Harbour, about 56 kilometres south of Walvis Bay. Your guide crosses the tidal flats and enters the Namib-Naukluft National Park.
Here the mood changes completely. Sandboarding is loud, fast, and physical. Sandwich Harbour is quiet, open, and still. The dunes here are even taller, and they go straight into the Atlantic Ocean.
Flamingos and pelicans gather along the lagoon edge. Your guide shows you the best viewpoints. After all the activity of the morning, this part of the day feels very calm.
Best Time to Visit
The best time for this tour is May to October, when conditions on the dunes are dry and the sand moves fast. Mornings are cooler during this period, which makes the uphill hikes between runs much more comfortable. Book a few days in advance during peak season, as this tour is popular and spots go quickly.