5 sinkholes · down to 157 m · 2 suitable for an intro team
Cave diving in Namibia
- Sinkholes5
- Max depth157 m
- Water temperature17–30 °C
Why come here
Around Tsumeb and Otavi lie deep sinkholes in dolomite, high on the plateau: Guinas at 1,250 m and Harasib at 1,643 m, so you plan with altitude tables or a computer that accounts for altitude. The water is 17–30 °C and often crystal clear, from cobalt-blue Guinas to the warm water of Dragon's Breath. Only Otjikoto is dived in a regular way, with a permit and strict requirements for experience and deep dives; the other sinkholes are on private farms and are expedition terrain with the owner's permission. The rules in the sources are old, so ask the Namibia Underwater Federation and the owners how things work now; there is no public fill station for nitrox or trimix, and the season runs from April to October.
Don't miss
- Lake Otjikoto: a collapsed karst cave where the German Schutztruppe dumped weapons and ammunition in June 1915, and home to the rare Tilapia guinasana.
- Lake Guinas: cobalt-blue, crystal-clear water of 17–23 °C at 1,250 m altitude, the only natural home of Tilapia guinasana.
On a rest day
- Etosha National Park: North of Tsumeb lies the great salt pan of Etosha, with waterholes where you can see elephants, lions, giraffes and black rhino.
- Tsumeb Museum: The museum of the town's mining history also shows the artillery the Schutztruppe dumped into Lake Otjikoto.
- Hoba meteorite: About 19 km west of Grootfontein, the meteorite of some 60 tonnes still lies where it landed, a national monument since 1955.
All 5 sinkholes
2 closed not shown ·
| Site | Max depth | Type | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aigamas CavePermission neededSidemount · Full cave | 93 m | Sidemount | Full cave |
| Lake GuinasPermission neededBackmount · Cavern | 133 m | Backmount | Cavern |
| Lake OtjikotoPermission neededEntry or dive feeBackmount · Cavern | 145 m | Backmount | Cavern |
Certification requirements, configurations and trimix depths are estimates for planning. Always check them locally and dive within your training.
Map
Where to stay
Find a place near Tsumeb
Villages that work well as a base for the caves in this region. Find a place for your team:
- TsumebBooking.com ↗
The links to Booking.com are affiliate links: if you book through one, DiveTripPlanner earns a small commission. You pay the same.
Practical info: rules, fills and emergency numbers
Emergencies
- Police 10111. DAN Southern Africa: +27 82 810 6010 (24/7). No chamber confirmed in Namibia; ask DAN where the nearest is (South Africa has them).
Access and rules
- Otjikoto: national monument (since 1972), managed by the National Heritage Council. According to older sources the NUF issues the permit and the Heritage Council approves it; diving only with NUF members or a recognised guide, with CMAS 2 stars or equivalent, deco and some cave experience, 75–100 dives of which 50 deeper than 40 m, a medical certificate, DAN insurance with evacuation and an indemnity; at least 3 days with work-up dives.
Gas and fills
- Gas: no public fill station with nitrox, trimix or oxygen found; arrange gas and cylinders with your operator beforehand or bring your own logistics.
Water and season
- Altitude: Guinas is at 1,250 m, the area around 1,450 m and Harasib at 1,643 m: plan with altitude tables or a computer that accounts for altitude.
- Season: April–October, outside the rains. Winter nights can freeze, summer days reach 40 °C.
Getting around
- Travel: Windhoek airport (Hosea Kutako), ~450 km to Tsumeb. Otjikoto is ~20 km north-west of Tsumeb on the B1, Guinas ~21 km further on.
Rest day
- Rest day: Etosha National Park, just north of Otjikoto; the Tsumeb museum with the weapons from the lake.
Good to know
- Read this first: the sinkholes around Tsumeb and Otavi are deep and high up. Only Otjikoto can be dived in a regular way, with a permit; Guinas, Dragon's Breath, Harasib and Aigamas are on private farms and are expedition terrain with the owner's permission. The rules in the sources are old: ask the Namibia Underwater Federation (NUF) and the owners how things work now.
News
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Searched automatically, last on 5 Nov 2026.
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