Day Trips From Walvis Bay by Road and Dune

October 31, 2026

Walvis Bay is a handy base for day outings because the best-known sights lie along the coast and across the desert within a few hours. Distances below are from Walvis Bay unless stated. Drive on the left, carry water and warm clothing, and allow for fog that often burns off by midday. Prices are in Namibian dollars (N$).

Sandwich Harbour

About 55 km south of town, Sandwich Harbour is the classic half-day outing from Walvis Bay. It is visited only with a registered operator, because a 25-year activity concession began on 1 April 2026 and unguided self-drive trips are no longer allowed. The tide decides the route, so the operator picks the departure time. A half day typically costs roughly N$2,700 per adult, and ministry fees apply from 1 April 2026: N$50 for a Namibian adult, N$100 for a SADC adult and N$150 for other foreign adults. Ask the operator what the price covers. Sandwich Harbour is a separate Ramsar wetland from the Walvis Bay lagoon.

Swakopmund

Swakopmund lies 30 to 35 km north of Walvis Bay on a paved coastal road, about 30 to 35 minutes by car. A day there covers the jetty, the Mole, the town museum and half-day Living Desert tours into the dunes. German colonial buildings are found in Swakopmund rather than in Walvis Bay, so it makes a good contrast to a port day.

Moon Landscape and Welwitschia Drive

The Moon Landscape and the Welwitschia Drive start about 30 km east of Swakopmund and need a permit. Park fees for Cape Cross, Dorob and Namib-Naukluft are N$60 for a Namibian adult, N$180 for a SADC adult and N$280 for other foreign adults. Namibian children aged 9 to 15 pay nothing, SADC children pay N$100 and other foreign children pay N$180. A vehicle costs N$60. The fees are set by the ministry and can change, so confirm them before you go. A guided tour from Swakopmund handles permits.

Cape Cross Seal Reserve

Cape Cross is about 150 km from Walvis Bay, or about 120 km from Swakopmund, so it is a long day if you start from Walvis Bay. It is a big seal reserve on the coast. The same park fee schedule as above applies, with N$60 per vehicle. Keep your distance from the seals.

Spitzkoppe

Spitzkoppe is a long day, mostly on gravel. Start early, carry plenty of water and fuel, and plan the whole day around it.

Places that are not day trips

Sossusvlei and Etosha are not realistic day trips from Walvis Bay. They need an overnight stay on a longer Namibia route. Windhoek is roughly 390 to 400 km away by road, about 4 to 4.5 hours, and there are no scheduled flights between Windhoek and Walvis Bay. Walvis Bay airport has Airlink services from Johannesburg.

Booking

Search guided options for the coast on GetYourGuide and book early for Sandwich Harbour tours. The Namibia Wildlife Resorts fee schedule lists park fees.