Overview
Ovahimba is a long left-hand pointbreak buried in the middle of Namibia's Skeleton Coast reserve, and it may be one of the best yet least accessible waves anywhere. It sits deep in a wild, fragile corner of the northern Namib Desert, where flat gravel plains and low dunes run down to the sea. The area looks empty but teems with wildlife, and oryx, springbok, jackals, hyenas and even the occasional elephant or lion have been seen wandering down to the beach.
When It Works
The wave is a left that peels over a mix of rock ledge and sand. It draws swell from south through west, with southwest (SW) the best direction, and is usable from 0.9 m / 3 ft to 4.6 m / 15 ft. Expect moderately consistent conditions rather than something that fires every day.
Wind and Tide
Look for a northeast (NE) offshore wind. The point can work through low, mid and high tide, with a rising tide generally the better call.
Local Tips
This is a wave for expert surfers only. When it does break, expect a quiet lineup.
Access
Getting here is the real challenge. Ovahimba lies near the Ovahimba village of Okandjombo, the closest settlement to the wave. Reaching it means a 4x4 from the Wilderness Camp roughly 20 km inland, driving west along a dried-up riverbed until the track dead-ends, then a two-day hike along the riverbed to the coast and north to the wave. Permits are required for the Skeleton Coast National Park, and the Skeleton Coast Wilderness Area can only be visited as part of a fly-in safari. Off-road driving is not allowed and visitors must stay on the marked trails, so the whole trip demands expert planning.
