Alexander Bay is a town of 1,700 people (2011) in the Northern Cape province of South Africa, close to the border with Namibia and the Orange River mouth. It is near the southern end of the Namib desert, and is officially also the driest town in South Africa with an average annual rainfall of less than 51 millimetres (2 in).
After the discovery of diamonds in the area in the 1920s, Alexander Bay developed into a major diamond mining town. A security zone was established, requiring permits to visit. However, times have changed. Although diamond mining remains an important industry, the major mining company, decision makers and locals have joined forces to promote ecotourism in Alexander Bay.
Visitors are indeed attracted to the cultural and natural sights that Alexander Bay has to offer.
Alexander Bay is 85 km north of Port Nolloth on R382.
Alexander Bay Airport (IATA: ALJ) is a private aviation airport.
There is a Sentra Weskus supermarket in the centre of town off Oranjweg, and a couple of ATMs nearby.
2nd-order administrative division
Primary administrative division