Dias Point, Luderitz

How windy is Dias Point really? Turns out: very. Based on several recommendations by fellow travelers, we set off to visit Namibia's windiest point, a teeny peninsula 19km south of Luderitz named Dias Point. I figured it would be a great opportunity to dust off the sand that collected in our pockets from Kolmanskuppe, and to bask in the glory of the Atlantic Ocean waves crashing against the merciless, rocky beach.

The dirt road is pleasant, but curvy enough that careless speed could ruin the journey, as the barren clay covered terrain rises and falls without pattern. Before we turned right to Dias Point, we watched a slew of cars continue south, following signs to Grosse Brucht, a popular yet particularly frigid swimming cove. I considered this briefly, but I prefer my beaches isolated, rocky, steep, tree lined, snow capped...actually, my perfect beach is a mountain.

We arrived to our destination: a camping area to the right, a red-roofed bar to the left, and a tall stone cross marking the spot where Portuguese navigator Bartolomeu Dias placed his own victorious slab of rock in 1488. It was placed in honor of King John II of Portugal upon Dias' return from the southernmost tip of Africa. He was the first known European to have reached the Indian Ocean from the Atlantic. The original rock has since disappeared, but the spot remains a national monument.

Stepping out of the car we noticed immediately that it was quite windy. I took a minute to read a dilapidated sign indicating we use caution near the bridge and staircase. No doubt: the wooden causeway was a total disaster, hanging on for dear life while water endlessly dumped over the slabs of wood. The thickly rusted metal "hand rail" was unstable, swinging disdainfully in many sections, forcing all of us to stoop low, one hand on a child and other on the stairs to avoid getting blown off. It would have been so satisfying to have a anemometer to see just how fast the wind raced past us, but I had to settle on watching Mark lean into it. The kids chose to hide behind the barricades, with tears of adventure (not fear, I swear!) streaming down their cheeks.

The view up on Dias Point is fantastic: huge ocean waves, endless rocky coast, oblivious Cape fur seals snoozing on an island, and a wide blue sky. We enjoyed it long enough to take a picture, and crept down to safety for more exploration. The beach here has zero sand, but millions of rocks and seashells along the cove. The kids helped me collect about 40 pounds worth of shells, sponges, rocks, and bones. I have no idea what we will do with them, but at the time, the mass collection seemed totally necessary.

With the windy and cool weather, it was easy to forget about the sun diligently shining down. I finally looked up from my searches, realizing we'd spent over ninety minutes on the beach and each of us desperately thirsty. Even better, I realized no one had started a fight, no one whined, no one complained- that "no one" being me. We walked over to the bar for some refreshment before driving back into town. 

Before we totally left Dias Point, Mark wanted to take picture of an isolated house opposite the peninsula. I had totally forgotten we could see flamingos, and he happened upon a duo on the shore. They took flight, completing his shot in the most perfect way. 

Heading to the Point

Yes. Still windy. 

The causeway.

You too, can have THIS much fun at Dias Point. Photo credit: Mark

Seal corpse

Flamingoes! Credit: Mark