The sheer isolation of Lüderitz with its colonial-style buildings gives the town a curious other-worldly allure. Lüderitz is renowned for its old-world charm and distinctly German colonial architecture. Set around the bay with their gables, winding stairwells, verandas, turrets and bay and bow windows, these buildings have a unique character of their own. The Lüderitz Peninsula is characterized by numerous bays, lagoons and unspoilt stretches of beach. At Dias Point a replica of Bartolomeu’s padrão can be seen, while a plaque on Shark Island commemorates the German merchant, Adolf Lüderitz. Agate Beach and Grossebucht are popular with bathers, and at Stormvogelbucht are the remains of an old Norwegian whaling station.
The rocky coastline has many beaches and numerous small bays and reefs to explore. For anglers favored species are steenbras, dassis and rock lobster. It is not unusual to see a jackal trotting along the beach, a group of springbok close to the sea, or an occasional brown hyaena. An attractive plant in the surroundings is the Bushman’s candle, its pink flowers contrasting vividly against the black rock. Unusual species of dwarf succulents grow in the area, such as the small but intriguing lithops, colloquially known as Hottentot’s buttocks. The Lüderitz area is home to a wide variety of aquatic birds. Large numbers of flamingos, cormorants and seagulls inhabit the shallow lagoon. When sailing in the bay, seals and dolphins can be seen playing in the water. |
