The cold Benguela Current flows northward along this coast from Antarctica, chilling the water and the air above it. When the cold air meets the warm desert air over the land, thick banks of fog form each morning. This fog is incredibly important — it is the main source of water for many of the animals and plants that live here, including the famous fog-collecting beetles.
Despite looking empty, the Skeleton Coast is actually buzzing with life. Huge colonies of Cape fur seals live along the shore — some colonies have more than 100,000 seals. The seals attract brown hyenas and black-backed jackals who patrol the beaches, and occasionally lions from the desert come down to the shore to hunt.
The San Bushmen who lived along this coast for thousands of years called it 'The Land God Made in Anger'. Sailors used to call it 'The Gates of Hell' because the fog, strong currents and shallow sandbanks made it very difficult to navigate safely. Today, the dramatic name adds to its sense of mystery and adventure.
Shipwrecks lie scattered along the shore — a reminder of how powerful the ocean is. These wrecks have become home to sea birds and seals who nest in and around the rusting hulks. The whole coastline is now a national park, protecting its extraordinary wildlife and wild beauty.