Walvis Bay
Walvis Bay is a city on Namibia's Atlantic coast. It has the country's only commercial port.
Understand
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Get in
By car
The fastest route from Windhoek is the tarred main road B2. It takes 5 hours and passes through Swakopmund, a coastal town 35 km (20 minutes) drive north of Walvis Bay.
By plane
- 1 Walvis Bay Airport (WVB IATA). Air Namibia provides flights within the country from Walvis Bay Airport, while South African Express offers flights to Cape Town and Johannesburg.
By minibus
Minibuses from Windhoek (departure from the taxi rank closed to Rhino Park hospital, 110N$) or from Swakopmund (taxi rank out of town, 25N$) are available throughout the day. Not too comfortable, but the true African way of travelling.
By bus
Although the minibuses are slightly cheaper and are an experience, they have no fixed time schedule and are often overloaded. So check out these operators:
- Intercape operates a service from Windhoek via Okahandja and Swakopmund. Intercape service also extends to South Africa and Zimbabwe.
- Econolux Tel +264 64 205935 operates a service to Cape Town twice a week
By train
The national train company TranNamib runs an overnight service from the capital Windhoek via Swakopmund daily, except Saturdays. There are economy and business class seats, but no sleepers.
By ship
The RMS St Helena no longer makes regular round-trips from St Helena Island to Cape Town via Walvis Bay. The service ceased in 2018.
Get around
Cars can be hired at Walvis Bay Airport.
See
- The Walvis Bay Lagoon is just south-west of town, a wetland for migratory birds. The Lagoon is a habitat for flamingos and the endangered Damara tern.
- For a larger and more impressive wetland and flamingo colony, visit Sandwich Harbour, a bay and a lagoon 45 km (28 mi) south of town. You will need a 4x4 to navigate the sand.
Do
There are quite some activities to do in Walvis Bay.
- Dolphin watching, ☏ +264 64 205 511. Check out Mola Mola cruises for dolphin and seal cruises.
- Dune boarding. Buy a dune board in town and head 6km out of town to Dune 7 for an inexpensive thrill.
- Fishing, ☏ +264 64 2016111. Rods can be rented. You need a fishing permit though which can be bought at the ministry of fisheries for 14 N$ for 30 days (Inspectorate Office, 1st Street, Monday-Sunday 8-13). Speak to the locals about the various fishing spots.
- Kite surfing. Head on down to the lagoon to ride the waves. Lessons and equipment available.
- Surfing. Pro surfers come from around the globe when the conditions are right to surf the world's longest left-hand break with a sandy bottom at Donkey Bay, also known as Skeleton Bay, on the long Pelican Point sand spit that protects the port of Walvis Bay. You'll need a 4x4 vehicle to get to that spot.
Buy
Eat
- 1 Crazy Mama's. Funky bistro with pizza, salad and vegetarian options.
- Probst Willi Bakery. A German cafe serving some of the best sandwiches. Try the "rawhak" roll.
Splurge
- The Raft Restaurant, The Esplanade (on a pier opposite the Pelican Bay Hotel), ☏ +264 64 204877. A large top-class restaurant with great atmosphere, on a pier in the lagoon. The main restaurant offers a huge a la carte menu. There's also a bistro offering great views, wood-fired pizzas and the best burgers for miles. Also has a lively bar. A must if you are in Walvis Bay.
Sleep
- 1 Pelican Bay Hotel.
- 2 Langholm Hotel, 18-22 2nd Street West, Lagoon (Off 5th Road, turn left into 2nd Str West.), ☏ +264 64 209230. Check-in: 13h00, check-out: 11h00. Great facility, friendly and helpful staff, great fun the NightCap bar - feels like home from home. Should be first choice for all persons visiting Walvis Bay. from N$655.