The Swakopmund Museum (officially the National Marine Aquarium and Swakopmund Museum) occupies a building on the beach promenade adjacent to the Mole. The collection covers Namibian natural history, the ecology of the Namib Desert and Benguela Current, and the colonial history of the region.
The Collection
Natural history section: The Namib Desert ecology is covered in reasonable depth: the fog-dependent species, the desert-adapted fauna, the geology of the dune system and the coastal plain. For visitors who are doing the Living Desert tour, the museum provides useful background context on the species they will encounter.
Marine section: The Benguela Current ecology, the coastal marine mammals, and the fish species of the Namibian coast. The aquarium tanks in this section hold living specimens of coastal fish species.
Colonial history: Photographs, documents, and artefacts from the German colonial period. As with the colonial architecture, this section should be approached with an awareness of the historical context; the museum’s treatment of the colonial period has been subject to revision and continues to evolve.
San culture: A small ethnographic collection covering San material culture and rock art.
Practical Notes
Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours for a thorough visit Entry fee: Small admission charge Location: On the beach promenade, Strand Street Best for: Natural history context before the Living Desert tour; colonial architecture context; rainy or foggy mornings when outdoor activities are limited