Henties Bay is situated about 440 km from Windhoek, 70 km north of Swakopmund and 60 krn south of the Cape Cross
Seal Reserve. It is a small town with an extended stretch of beach ideal for long walks, sunbathing and picnicking. Certain sections of the beach are closed to anglers, vehicles and
quad-bikes to afford pedestrians and sunbathers maximum peace and quiet.
An attractive feature of Henties Bay and the heart of its origin is the natural freshwater spring in an
old delta of the Omaruru River, referred to as the Valley. The delta practically divides Henties Bay into two sections, namely North Dune and South Dune. A Major Hentie van der Merwe
discovered this fresh-water spring in 1929 on a rhino-hunting expedition in the desert. He immediately fell in love with the surroundings and for years it was his own private haven to
which he escaped every December. Today the spring is an interesting feature at the end of the unusual nine-hole golf course, laid out in the sandy bed of the delta. The golf course is
in itself an attraction for many tourists, who regard the sandy fairways as a challenge.
The National West Coast Recreation Area and the surrounding desert offer an attractive and
diversified natural environment with many sites of interest. Vast lichen fields and the extraordinary Welwitschia mirabilis are unique attractions of the Henties Bay surroundings.
Lichen fields occur near Wlotzkas Baken and just north of Cape Cross. Lichens often grow where gypsum is near the surface, which is one reason why these slow-growing organisms are so
easily destroyed.
Lagunen Hill is situated 44 km north of Henties Bay on the eastern side of the road across from the salt pond near Mile 72. The westward-facing hills intercept a
great deal of fog, which sustains the growth of the lichens. The interesting rock formations are the result of chemical and physical weathering. Many plants, insects and small
reptiles can be .viewed amongst these rocks.
The Omdel Dam is situated in the Omaruru River about 30 km from Henties Bay on the C35 to Uis. The area offers picnic sites, various
bird species, especially when there is water in the dam, and interesting desert-adapted plants as well as riverine vegetation. The Winston Shipwreck, one of the few wrecks still to be
seen along the coast, is situated about 23 km north of Mile 108.
The Brandberg-West Mine is an old worked-out tin mine which operated from 1946 to 1980. Tin-tungsten
mineralisation occurs in white quartz veins in the dark turbiditic rocks. The white veins are clearly visible in the walls of the large open-cast pit. Remnants of the original
buildings, such as offices and living quarters, can still be seen here today.
The following 4x4 routes can be under- taken:
. Omaruru River Route . Ugab Menhir Route
. Messum Crater Route
. Brandberg-West Route
. Central Damaraland Minerals Route . Doros Crater Route
GPS readings are available at the Tourist Information Office,
situated at the Total Service Station/Grobler Motors. Tourists must, however, be aware of the ecologically fragile environment and must at all times take care not to destroy soil
surfaces by driving over virgin land or removing plants or rocks from the desert. |
