Discover Walvis Bay

A tidal lagoon, large populations of waterbirds and boat tours on the water give Walvis Bay a distinctive natural and coastal character. There is also a museum with natural science collections and exhibitions. You can consider nature watching, excursions and culture as different focuses for your trip.

Lagoon, tidal flats and birdlife

The Walvis Bay Ramsar Site is a nature reserve covering 12,600 hectares; it was designated on 23 August 1995. Its habitats include a tidal lagoon, adjoining tidal areas, mudflats exposed at low tide and sandbanks. The landscape is therefore strongly shaped by the tides.

Walvis Bay Lagoon is a coastal wetland that attracts thousands of waterbirds. Walvis Bay is also known for its wetlands and large populations of waterbirds, including waders, flamingos and various coastal birds. Numbers and occurrences can vary by season. Pink Lake creates a different contrast in the landscape: dunes lie on one side and the vast ocean on the other.

Boat tours and wildlife watching

Whale and dolphin cruises operate from Walvis Bay harbour and the surrounding waters. The Sun Sails Marine Dolphin Cruise departs every morning from the Walvis Bay Waterfront and travels along the lagoon area, passing an oyster farm, Pelican Point, the seal colony and the lighthouse. The catamaran trip is weather-dependent. Check the current schedule and whether the tour is operating before making plans.

Possible sightings on this trip include seals, pelicans, dolphins, seasonal whales, turtles, sunfish and other wildlife and bird species. Sightings are not guaranteed. If you are comparing birdwatching with a boat trip, seasonal information is useful: whales are specifically mentioned as a seasonal possibility, while waterbird numbers and occurrences can also change.

Nearby, Walvis Bay Waterfront and Jetty is a place to explore tour options in the area. Restaurants at Walvis Bay Waterfront and Jetty also serve fish dishes. As restaurant offerings can change, it is worth checking the current menu if you have a particular dish in mind.

Museum and culture

The Walvis Bay Museum combines natural science collections with educational programmes, exhibitions and guided tours for local and international tourists. The collection includes gemstones, rocks, minerals, animal bones, animal skins, shells and marine fossils. It therefore ranges from geological objects to finds from the animal kingdom and the sea.

The museum can add a cultural and natural history focus to a holiday otherwise centred on the lagoon and water. If you are planning a visit, check the current opening hours in advance. This will help you plan your day around the mix of excursions, wildlife watching and a museum visit that you want.

Choose a holiday apartment to suit your travel plans

When looking for a holiday apartment in Walvis Bay, it helps to first prioritise the experiences that matter to your trip: birdwatching in the wetlands, a boat trip, the museum or restaurants at Waterfront and Jetty. This lets you make your choice based on your own travel plans, without combining different experiences into a single focus.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Uigaran, Langstrand, Usakos, Omaruru, Uis, Karibib, Henties Bay, Rand Rifles.

To the main travel overview: Erongo.