Hotels in Walvis Bay

Walvis Bay: Lagoon, Salt Pans & the Namib Coast

Walvis Bay sits on Namibia's Atlantic coast, 30 km south of Swakopmund, sheltered by a 14 km sand spit. The lagoon is a Ramsar-listed wetland hosting up to 150,000 flamingos between October and April — one of southern Africa's largest flamingo concentrations. The Pelican Point lighthouse, reached by a gravel track along the spit, marks where Atlantic swells meet the cold Benguela Current, drawing Cape fur seals, dolphins, and leatherback turtles.

The port city blends industrial Namibian fishing heritage with adventure tourism. Visitors arrive for catamaran cruises on the lagoon, sandboarding on the dunes of the Namib-Naukluft National Park (40 km east), and quad-bike tours into the Dune 7 area. The Walvis Bay Salt Works produces roughly 400,000 tonnes annually and provides the pink-hued habitat that flamingos feed in year-round.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Walvis Bay Airport (WVB) handles domestic flights from Windhoek (90-minute drive on the B2 highway).
• Climate: Coastal fog is common year-round; pack a windproof layer even in summer.
• Currency: Namibian dollar (NAD) at par with South African rand; most hotels accept cards.