Walvis Bay Landmarks: Lighthouse, Church, Dune 7
This guide runs through the sights of Walvis Bay from the nearest to the farthest, so you can fit them into a day by car or by tour. The town is Namibia’s main port, with a population of 102,704 at the 2023 census, and its climate is cold desert with fog that often lifts by midday. Costs are in Namibian dollars (N$), tied one to one to the South African rand.
On the waterfront
The Waterfront on Atlantic Street is the base for catamaran cruises and has restaurants such as Anchors at the Jetty, listed as open from 07:30 to 22:00. Next to it, Esplanade Park runs along the lagoon as a flat shoreline walk, where pelicans and flamingos feed within sight of the path.
The old Rhenish Mission Church
Close to the harbour stands the church that was prefabricated in Hamburg and put up again in 1880. Walvis Bay has no German colonial architecture, but this building has a Hamburg connection. British moves on the bay began in 1878, the Cape Colony completed annexation in 1884, South Africa held it from 1910 and sovereignty passed to Namibia on 1 March 1994. Check access before visiting.
The lagoon
The lagoon is the centrepiece of the Walvis Bay Wetland, Ramsar site no. 742, which covers 12,600 hectares and was designated on 23 August 1995. Greater and Lesser Flamingos gather here in tens of thousands, and total waterbird counts run into many tens of thousands, peaking between September and April. The shallows also nurse young African black oystercatchers. Best viewing is around mid to high tide. Read the site record for the full boundary.
The salt works
South of the lagoon, the salt works cover about 3,500 hectares and produce over a million tonnes of salt a year. The pans turn pink and green because of salt-tolerant microorganisms, and flamingos gather on the evaporation ponds. There is no visitor centre or official tour, so enjoy the colours from the road toward Pelican Point.
Dune 7
About 10 km east of town in the Dorob National Park, Dune 7 climbs roughly 380 to 388 m. An entry fee applies and differs by nationality and age, so check at the gate. Allow 25 to 50 minutes for the climb, go early or late because of hot sand and wear closed shoes.
Pelican Point and its lighthouse
The sandspit lies about 32 to 45 km away by road or boat and shelters the bay. Visitors reach it on a 4x4 trip along the lagoon past the salt works, or on a boat cruise. The lighthouse stands about 35 m tall, and a colony of tens of thousands of Cape fur seals lives on the spit. Keep a respectful distance from the seals at all times.
Sandwich Harbour
About 55 km south, Sandwich Harbour is a separate Ramsar wetland, no. 743. It is open only with a registered operator since 1 April 2026, and tours leave from Walvis Bay.
Tips
- Carry layers and a windproof jacket.
- Budget half a day for each outlying sight.
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Read more: attraction tours in Walvis Bay and walking tours in Walvis Bay .