Walvis Bay

Walvis Bay lagoon

Some 32kms south of Swakopmund through the Kalahari desert lies Walvis Bay. Built up and around a large lagoon, despite just a few kilometres seperating the towns, Walvis Bay often avoids the fog that is common around Swakopmund.

the road from Swakopmund to Walvis Bay through the Kalahari

This cool, laid-backed town has held much importance, boasting Namibia’s only deep sea port, and indeed South Africa kept this enclave till 1994 – two years after Namibian independence. Indeed there still remains a cricket ground and rugby posts in the parks.

Although the town continues to grow fast without a distinct town centre, there is still a small town feel to the place, Gone are the Colonial German buildings, but the place seems more African influenced which personally i prefer. Indeed after the foggy swampiness of Swako, skies brighten and we feel warm once again.

Salt extraction is big business here, but South African owned. Only the raw salt is exported out of here where it is taken across to South Africa for processing used for industrial purposes only. Concern has been raised that further production will eventually block off the lagoon entirely within the next 8 – 10 years.

the docks at sunset

Most of the town’s activities seem to revolve around the lagoon. There are plenty of bird-watching opportunities with plenty of pelicans and flamingos to be spotted. John is in twitcher heaven!

flamingo in the bay

pelicans abound

Listed in the Top 10 most important African coastal wetlands the area supports up to 160,000 during the summer months and some 68,000 in winter.

Boat rides to visit Cape Fur seal colonies, and bottlenose and Benguela dolphins can be spotted from boats and catamarans. In October and November, minke, southern right, humpback and killer whales can be spotted.

A golf course lies to the south of town which i have to try and check up on.

a message for us all!

dead jellyfish litter rhe beach

The Dolphin Coffee Shoppe at the corner of Esplanade and Atlantic Avenue offers excellent breakfasts and light meals at reasonable prices.

We're staying at the comfortable Loubser's Backpackers on 3rd Street West which is cheap, well maintained and self contained. Perfect!

A classic place just to chill out.