Ovahimba Point
- Wave, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Medium waves
- Spot Type
- Empty
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Ovahimba Point is a very remote left-point break in Namibia’s Skeleton Coast/Diamond Area region, known for big, clean water and medium-wave conditions. The spot is generally exposed and can deliver powerful surf with fast, hollow/peeling characteristics, but it is also strongly tide- and wind-dependent. Wind is dominated by southerly trade winds (best from the south through SSW to SW), which can produce reliable kite and surf conditions in the main season. Several sources emphasize that the south-southeast component can be very straight offshore, making kiting safety harder and self-rescue more difficult if anything goes wrong. Safety risks are a core part of the spot profile: challenging currents (including rip currents/undertow), submerged/nearshore rocks, and animal hazards (including seals and shark risk) are specifically highlighted. Access restrictions add another layer—permits are required for the National Park/Diamond Area and the area is only reachable with a properly equipped 4x4 approach, with expedition-style self-sufficiency expected. Overall, Ovahimba Point is best treated as an expert expedition location rather than a casual destination. Crowds are essentially absent due to the combination of restricted access and remoteness, and the practical requirement is to plan for no rescue, bring satellite communication, and ride with full cold-water protection and appropriate impact gear.
- Remote, big beach setting within Skeleton Coast/Diamond Area
- Strong southerly trade winds with a recurring seasonal window
- Surf can be powerful with hollow/fast characteristics when conditions align
- Challenge-oriented safety profile: currents, rocks, wildlife, and extreme isolation
- Clean water and consistent trade-wind window
- Big, remote wave setting with potential for powerful surf and wave riding
- Often very low crowd levels due to restricted access
- Extreme remoteness and isolation
- No cell signal and no local rescue service
- Strong currents (including rip currents/undertow) and offshore wind exposure
- Wildlife and shark hazard risk
- Rock hazards and difficult launch conditions
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- S, SSW, SW
- Offshore directions
- SSE, SSW, S
- Wind Range
- 9–14 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade
- Reliability
- Very high during the summer months due to the consistent South Atlantic high-pressure system.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, August, September, October, November, December
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Medium waves
- Beach
- Sand — Also described as mixed with rocky sections.
- Beach Size
- Big
- Waves
- Medium — Some sources also describe powerful, larger surf potential on good swell.
- Launch
- Big — Sandy beach with rocky sections; very remote.
- Launch Difficulty
- Difficult — Difficult due to remoteness, waves, wind, and rocks.
Through the year
Empty year-round; no seasonal variation due to restricted access and remoteness.
Rain is extremely rare in this desert region; seasonal sandstorms can occur during high-pressure events.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Remote, expedition-style wave and freeride kiteboarding dependent on strong southerly trade winds and offshore conditions; best suited to riders who can manage isolation and wildlife hazards.
Remote, exposed point break with hollow/fast, powerful waves; strong currents and shark risk make this a serious, expert-only surf.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- W, WSW
- Swell Height
- 1.5–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Sources indicate mid to high tide performs best.
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- Offshore southerly winds can create clean, groomed waves but may blow waves out or create extreme spray; wind can limit kiting safety.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds significant size but becomes very dangerous due to currents and isolation.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Often described as offering groomed, quality surf when wind/swell align.
- Wave Power
- Powerful
- Wave Shape
- Hollow — Also described as peeling in some conditions.
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length Details
- Can offer long, fast peeling sections when swell and wind align.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Ovahimba Point in the full forecast view.
Ovahimba Point wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 3–18 ktsGusts 24 kts
- Direction
- S191°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2718 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 1.2–1.7 m9s period
- Temperature
- 15–23 °C
Over the next 7 days, Ovahimba Point is forecast for daytime winds of 3–18 kts, peaking around 18 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 24 kts. The prevailing direction is S. Waves run 1.2–1.7 m with a period of about 9s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- sharks
- Cape fur seals
- animals
- currents
- rip currents
- undertow
- rocks
- extreme isolation
- desert wildlife (lions, hyenas)
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No local rescue service (expedition-level self-sufficiency expected).
- Emergency Info
- No cell signal and no local rescue service; expeditions must carry satellite phones. Rescue availability is extremely limited due to remoteness.
Rules of the spot
Entry to the Skeleton Coast National Park requires specific permits; off-road driving is strictly regulated to protect the lichen fields. Access requires a 4x4 vehicle; parking is on the beach (no designated parking facilities).
- Restricted access: Diamond Area and Skeleton Coast National Park.
- Private beach designation.
- National Park permit required.
- No independent camping in many areas without concession.
- Self-rescue is difficult due to strong offshore winds from the south-southeast and challenging conditions.
- Bring a comprehensive trauma kit; the nearest medical facility is many hours away.
- Be aware desert lions and hyenas roam the beaches in this region.
- Only visit as part of an organized expedition with satellite communication and multi-vehicle support.
- Always wear a wetsuit due to cold water.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Okandjombo (nearest village, ~2-day hike away)
- Nearest Town
- Terrace Bay
- Nearest Airport
- Walvis Bay International Airport (WVB)
- Parking
- Park on the beach; no designated parking facility.
- Access
- Accessible only with a 4x4 vehicle; park on the beach. Entry is restricted due to location within the Diamond Area/Skeleton Coast National Park.
- Cost Level
- Expensive
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Far — Extremely limited; usually mobile expedition camps or high-end remote lodges in the wider region.
- Food & Drink
- Must be entirely self-sufficient; no food/drink available on site.
- Equipment Rental:
- No local rental facilities.
- Gear Storage
- None available.
- Gear Repair
- None available.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Ovahimba Point?
The best overall months at Ovahimba Point are July, August. The best wind months are January, February, March, August, September, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Ovahimba Point?
Ovahimba Point works with S, SSW, SW winds. Offshore directions are SSE, SSW, S.
What skill level is Ovahimba Point suitable for?
Ovahimba Point suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Surfing: Expert.