Walvis Bay Namibia

Walvis Bay is a city nestled on a lagoon in Namibia from which it derives its name. Walvis Bay, which is also Namibia’s main fishing port lies on the Atlantic Coast where the desert dramatically stretches into the sea. Walvis Bay is believed to first to have been discovered in 1487 and the Cape Dutch formally inducted the region in early 1793, only to have it seized by the superior British some years after wards.
Walvis Bay spans over a land area of 1124 sq km with a 60 km of Atlantic coastline. It has 43,700 inhabitants and is slowly gaining populace as one of the major tourist destinations of Namibia. This remarkable natural lagoon is estimated to be one of the largest coastal wetlands on the west coast of Africa and in Southern Africa. It also constituted an exclave of South Africa until 1992.
CLIMATE
Walvis Bay features a subtropical climate for most part of the year. It experiences an average of less than 10 mm of precipitation per year, making it one of the driest cities on earth. Temperatures average around 24°C during January, Walvis Bay’s warmest month and around 17°C during July, its coldest month. During summer, when temperatures in the interior of Namibia become extreme, Walvis Bay becomes a cool haven for those seeking refuge against inland heat as the weather remains moderate. The Cold incoming Benguella Currents ensure temperatures vary between 10 and 25°C. Rainfall is sporadic and averages at less than 20mm per annum, while precipitation in the form of coastal fog is common.
BIRD LIFE
Walvis Bay is a fantastic location for spotting some of the most exotic and fascinating species of migratory birds that whiz past its expansive wetlands. The area is vitally important for Palaearctic waders and flamingos, which make up the majority of the numbers. There are three significant wetlands around Walvis Bay. These wetlands are a very important stopover for migratory birds. Several species number in their thousands, including Black-necked Grebe, Greater Flamingo, African Oystercatcher, Lesser Flamingo, Grey Plover, White-fronted Plover, Kelp Gull, Great Crested Tern, etc.
As a must-visit for bird lovers, Walvis Bay provides a feeding ground for 200,000 birds of 50 species. This very high bird species richness and abundance is probably due to nutrients from the highly productive Lderitz upwelling cell being brought north by the cold Benguela Current and being blown inshore by year-round winds.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS
There are several museums, quaint old churches, sapphire freshwater lagoons and sand dunes along with a host of eateries and charming old town streets that line up the landscape of this seemingly fast and furious harbour town.
ACCOMMODATION
1. Langholm Hotel: The hotel offers accommodation close to the beach, golf course and swimming pool. The Hotel offers all the comforts of home. More Information…………
2. Pelican Bay Hotel: This is one of the elegant hotels situated on the Walvis Bay Lagoon. It overlooks the waters of the lagoon and offers guests an uninterrupted view of pink flamingos, dolphins and whales that frequent this Ramsar wetland area. More Information…………
There are also other en-suite rooms and suites with great views available with satisfying accommodation.
GETTING THERE
Getting to the lagoon is relatively easy. You can enter Namibia through international airports located in either Swakopmund or the country’s capital city Windhoek. If you are coming from locations like Johannesburg or Cape Town, you can fly in directly to Walvis Bay’s airport. South African Express and Air Namibia offer flights to this location. You can also take a car or go by bus from Windhoek or Swakopmund. This is probably the best way to see the country. Regular direct flights are available from Windhoek, Cape Town and Johannesburg. Contact your travel agent for more information.
ACTIVITIES
Walvis Bay is a globally renowned spot for adventure travellers and fun-goers because of its medley of naturally breath-taking landscapes. Several holiday activities are lined up by Namibia tour operators for tourists visiting the Walvis Bay lagoon. They include;
Kite surfing – You can try kite surfing in the lagoon. This is an exciting activity for people who are looking for some action. The wind-conditions on the outer lagoon make this one of the best destinations in the world for Kite-Surfer Speed sailing.
Fishing – You can also go fishing in the area. Even if you didn’t bring your trusty fishing rod with you, there are many operators that will rent out good rods for reasonable prices. However, you will need to obtain a fishing permit. This can easily be obtained from the local office of the Ministry of Fisheries. However, fishing is non permissible between the 25th January and 15th April.
Dolphin and Seal Cruises – There are many short cruises available for people interested in dolphin watching. If you’re in the mood for board sports, then you can purchase a dune board in shops in town and head out to Dune 7 for an exhilarating time. Dune 7 is located a mere 6km from the town proper. Other interesting activities in the Walvis Bay area include dolphin watching, dune boarding, surfing, swimming, angling and sailing.