update (07 November 2025): The National Marine Aquarium in Swakopmund is still closed with renovation plans progressing slowly due to administrative and planning delays, with reopening expected no earlier than 2027.
Swakopmund's popular National Marine Aquarium, a longstanding attraction for tourists and marine enthusiasts in Namibia, remains closed more than a year after a major N$20 million renovation project was announced. Despite initial plans to upgrade the facility - the first such overhaul since its opening nearly 30 years ago - no physical construction has started.
The three-year capital project, spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform in partnership with the Ministry of Works and Transport, was meant to revitalise the aging facility with modern infrastructure and improved visitor amenities. However, progress has stalled.
According to ministry spokesperson Julia Nekwaya (June 2025), the renovation is still in the planning phase, with a comprehensive feasibility study currently underway. This study is being conducted by a team of engineers, architects, and quantity surveyors who are determining the full scope of the work required and establishing final cost estimates.
Originally set for completion by March 2025, the feasibility study has been delayed due to administrative restructuring within government departments - specifically the merger of the former Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources into the broader ministry now overseeing the project.
The National Marine Aquarium in Swakopmund has long served as an educational hub, marine research facility, and key tourism attraction on Namibia's Atlantic Coast. Stakeholders are concerned that the prolonged closure affects both the local economy and public access to marine education.
The N$20 million renovation aims to:
- Upgrade the 30-year-old infrastructure to meet current standards
- Refresh the design and layout to enhance functionality and appeal
- Enhance educational displays and interactive exhibits
- Create a more engaging and informative experience for tourists, families, and school groups
- Fix critical infrastructure problems, such as recurring flooding incidents
- Improve building durability and long-term safety
- Implement systems and materials to improve energy efficiency and reduce maintenance costs
- Reinforce the aquarium’s role as a national asset for marine education, research, and eco-tourism
- Support Swakopmund's tourism economy by revitalising a major attraction
- Maintain the aquarium’s function as a scientific and educational resource for schools and universities
Despite the delays, officials remain optimistic that the project will proceed once the feasibility study is completed.
When Will the Aquarium Reopen?
No official reopening date has been announced. Given the current progress and the three-year scope of the project, the National Marine Aquarium in Swakopmund may remain closed until at least 2027.
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