A Short Walk Around Walvis Bay Waterfront

October 31, 2026

Walvis Bay is a port town with wide distances, and its biggest sights, Pelican Point, the salt works, Dune 7 and Sandwich Harbour, are all too far to reach on foot. What you can walk is a compact core around the lagoon, the Waterfront and the old harbour. There are three routes below, and none needs a guide or a booking. Costs are in Namibian dollars (N$), pegged one to one to the South African rand.

Route 1: the lagoon shore

Start at Esplanade Park and follow the shoreline of the lagoon. The path is flat and open. Flamingos feed in the shallows in large numbers, with tens of thousands using the lagoon, and pelicans often stand close to shore. The best time is mid to high tide, when the birds are nearest. Do not step onto the mud or into the water, which is cold and shallow, and give the birds room.

Route 2: the Waterfront

From the park, continue to the Waterfront on Atlantic Street, where catamaran cruises depart. The Raft, a restaurant on stilts, sits out over the lagoon along a pier, and Anchors at the Jetty is listed as open from 07:30 to 22:00. This leg is the one to pick for sunset, followed by dinner. Hours and menus change, so check ahead.

Route 3: the old harbour and church

Made in Hamburg as a prefabricated structure, the Rhenish Mission Church was put up again on the harbour front in 1880. Walking around the harbour-side old town and past the church takes little time. Look from the outside and check what is open before you go.

Why the list is short

Pelican Point and its lighthouse lie about 32 to 45 km away and need a 4x4 or a boat. The salt works is industrial land with no visitor programme, best viewed from the road. Dune 7 is about 10 km east of town. If you want a guided outing beyond the town centre, the choices are catamaran cruises, Pelican Point kayaking and Sandwich Harbour 4x4 tours, covered in attraction tours in Walvis Bay .

Walking tips

Wear layers, since fog is common and often lifts only by midday.
Carry water and sun protection; the wind and glare add up quickly.
Walk in the morning if you can, as the afternoon wind is stronger.
The Atlantic has rip currents and is very cold, so stay out of the surf.
Carry small notes in N$ or rand for coffee or snacks.

Learning more

The Ramsar record for the wetland explains what the lagoon protects. For a guided activity, search GetYourGuide .