Walvis Bay Tours: Seals and Sandwich Harbour

October 31, 2026

Most attractions around Walvis Bay sit well outside the town grid: a seal sandspit, a lagoon, a salt works, a dune belt and a protected harbour to the south. Getting to them usually means a 4x4, a boat or both, so guided tours are the normal way to see them. This page lists the tour types that appear in operator listings and what to check before choosing one. Prices are in Namibian dollars (N$), pegged one to one to the South African rand.

Marine cruises from the Waterfront

Catamaran trips leave from the Waterfront on Atlantic Street, normally at about 09:00, and take 3 to 4 hours. Roughly N$1,200 to 1,500 per adult is the range to expect, so confirm the current rate. The boats follow the bay for seals, pelicans and dolphins, and oysters and sparkling wine are commonly served. Listings name Catamaran Charters, Mola Mola Safaris and Levo Tours, the last based at the Walvis Bay Tourism Centre on Union Street. Whales appear seasonally, about July to November, but no operator can promise them.

Sandwich Harbour 4x4 tours

Sandwich Harbour is about 55 km south of Walvis Bay and is visited only with a registered operator. A 25-year concession began on 1 April 2026, and unguided self-drive visits are no longer allowed. Operators set the route around the tide, so the timing of your departure matters more than the season. Half-day, full-day and sunset formats are on offer, with a half day typically from roughly N$2,700 per adult. Operator or concession charges can come on top of the ministry fees, so ask what the price includes. The Sandwich Harbour 4x4 office is at the Waterfront; its tour list is on sandwich-harbour.com .

Kayak and dune combinations

Mola Mola Safaris lists a Kayak Dune Day and a Marine Dune Day that pair a morning on the water with time in the dunes. Its site does not publish prices, so ask for a quote. Pelican Point Kayaking runs a plain half-day paddle from 08:00 with a 4x4 transfer of about 45 km. On any kayak trip seals and pelicans may approach; keep your distance, and do not touch or feed them. See the Mola Mola tour list .

Wetland birding

Sandwich Harbour 4x4 lists a guided Walvis Wetlands half day. The lagoon is a Ramsar wetland of 12,600 hectares and holds tens of thousands of Greater and Lesser Flamingos, along with pelicans and many other waterbirds. The Ramsar record is at rsis.ramsar.org .

Salt works and Pelican Point

The salt works cover about 3,500 hectares and produce over a million tonnes of salt a year. Pink and green pans owe their colour to salt-tolerant microorganisms. It is an industrial site with no visitor programme, so you see it from the road to Pelican Point or from a tour. The Pelican Point lighthouse, about 35 m tall, is reached by 4x4 or boat and is not part of a town walk.

Cruise ship shore excursions

Cruise ships call at the port, and excursions run to Swakopmund, Dune 7 and the lagoon. If you are on a short port day, choose one marine or dune outing rather than two and keep a margin before the ship leaves.

What to check before you book

Whether the operator is registered for Sandwich Harbour.
What the quoted price includes, especially park fees, drinks and food.
Minimum age and mobility needs for kayaks and dunes.
The departure time, since mornings are calmer and afternoon wind is common.
Warm layers: the sea air is cold and fog is common.

Booking

Compare listings on Viator and confirm the operator name before paying.