Latest update – 02 September 2026:
Swakopmund's National Marine Aquarium remains officially closed for renovations, with no reopening timetable publicly announced.
Latest update – 14 August 2026:
There have been no significant new developments regarding the renovation of Swakopmund's National Marine Aquarium since the previous update on 11 July. The aquarium remains closed, and there has been no confirmed start date for physical renovation work or reopening date announced. The project remains associated with the government's 2026/27 financial-year target, but travellers should continue to assume that the aquarium is closed until further notice.
Last update - 11 July 2026
There have been no major developments since June 2026. Swakopmund's National Marine Aquarium remains closed while planning for the long-awaited structural renovation continues. Authorities have not yet announced the start of construction or a reopening date, and travellers should continue to assume the attraction will remain closed until further notice
Last update - 01 June 2026
As of 01 June 2026, there have been no major new developments regarding the renovation of Swakopmund's National Marine Aquarium. The facility remains closed, with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform confirming that the project is still in the planning phase and that physical renovation work has not yet started. Officials say a feasibility study is still being finalised to determine the full scope and cost of repairs, while key structural upgrades remain scheduled for the 2025/26 financial year. No official reopening date has been announced, and travellers should continue to expect the aquarium to remain closed until further notice.
Last update - 21 April 2026
As of April 2026, Swakopmund's National Marine Aquarium remains closed, with no confirmed start to physical renovation works despite earlier plans for repairs to begin during the 2024/25 financial year. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform says the project is still in the planning phase, with engineers and architects finalising a feasibility study to determine the full scope and final cost of repairs. Government documents continue to target completion around the 2026/2027 financial year, but no official reopening date has been announced and travellers should still assume the aquarium will remain closed until further notice.
Latest update – 22 March 2026
The National Marine Aquarium in Swakopmund has been closed since October 2023 for major renovations due to structural damage from prolonged seawater exposure. While the project is included in Namibia’s 2025/26–2027/28 national budget and planned as a multi-year capital initiative under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, physical construction had not yet started as of early 2026, and no official reopening date has been announced. Government documents indicate the renovation is expected to be completed around the 2026/2027 financial year, but travelers should continue to assume the aquarium remains closed until a formal update is released.
Latest update – 22 January 2026
As of January 2026, the National Marine Aquarium in Swakopmund remains closed while renovation plans continue to be developed. Although a major refurbishment project was announced to address structural and facility upgrades, no physical construction has yet commenced, and bureaucratic and planning delays have extended the timeline. The responsible authorities have not confirmed a reopening date, and the facility is expected to remain closed until the renovation plan is fully approved and implementation begins. Visitors are advised to check with official Namibian tourism sources or local contacts for the latest updates before planning a visit.
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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