Skeleton Bay is one of surfing's most alien landscapes—a sand-bottomed left point in the remote Namibian desert that produces the longest tube rides ever documented. When massive SW swells from the South Atlantic align with rare offshore winds, the wave can barrel for over a kilometer, with individual tubes lasting 20+ seconds. The Skeleton Coast is named for the whale bones and shipwrecks that litter its shores; it's harsh, isolated, and almost lunar in its barrenness. The walk back up the point after each wave is brutal. Getting it perfect requires luck, planning, and a willingness to wait. When it aligns, nothing else compares.
Water temp
16°C
Wetsuit
4/3mm fullsuit
Difficulty
9/10
Crowd level
4/10
Access: 4WD required. Remote desert location.
Peak: Jun-Sep
Secondary: May, Oct
Very fickle. Needs big SW swell + E wind alignment.
Verified by Surf media
How well swell angle matches the spot
Wave height in the ideal range
Each spot has different period requirements. Points and reefs can handle longer periods than beaches.
Offshore/glassy conditions