Walvis Bay Lagoon

About this place

A shallow coastal lagoon on the southern edge of Walvis Bay, Namibia's second city and main port, shielded from the ocean by a long sand spit ending at the Pelican Point lighthouse. It is one of southern Africa's most important wetlands, home to tens of thousands of birds. Its best-known residents are pink flamingos, both greater and lesser, standing in the shallows in their thousands and flying in pink flocks over the lagoon, along with pelicans and waders. A long promenade runs along its edge, where visitors can quietly approach the birds. From town, boat trips head into the bay to see seals and dolphins, and drives go out to the Pelican Point spit, where seals lie on the sand by the lighthouse, and to the big dunes nearby such as Dune 7. The promenade is free; early morning, when the water is calm and the sea fog lifts, is loveliest. Keep your distance from the birds. The desert is very hot by day from October to March and cold at night, so start early and carry water and a hat.