An engineering geological survey of Swakopmund, one of South West Africa's major developing centres, has been undertaken in order to provide an information base for further expansion. The town is located on Cenozoic luvio-marine and alluvial deposits that overlie Precambrian Damara Sequence rocks and Karoo age dolerites. The coastal environment is highly corrosive, due to abundant airborne salts, the frequent fogs and salty, moist soils. Protective anti-corrosion measures should therefore be provided and construction materials must be chosen with care. Although foundation conditions are generally good, differential settlement can occur on some of the unconsolidated supericial deposits. Construction materials, in the form of ine and coarse aggregate for concrete, are readily available in the area.