Sandwich Harbour is the iconic landscape in Namibia, where the sand dunes meet the ocean. Witness one of the country’s most impressive landmarks on a tour from Walvis Bay

By: Paul Healy | Last Updated: | Comments & Questions

Walvis Bay is not the most attractive town in Namibia, but there are two good reasons to visit.

The first is Sandwich Harbour, the iconic image of Namibia, where the sand dunes of the Namib desert meet the rough Atlantic Ocean.

The second is Pelican Point, the breeding ground for a large colony of Cape Fur Seals, which you can see up close on a kayaking tour from Walvis Bay.

Although we love travelling independently, the only way to visit Sandwich Harbour and Pelican Point is on an organised tour.

We visited them both on a combined tour, and it was one of our favourite days of our Namibia road trip.

Sandwich Harbour and Pelican Point offer an opportunity to see a side of Namibia that is rich in biodiversity, blessed with dramatic scenery and a whole lot of fun.

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WHERE IS SANDWICH HARBOUR?

Sandwich Harbour is around 60 kilometres south of Walvis Bay in the Namib-Naukluft National Park.

The area, including a lagoon pool, salt pans and a bird sanctuary, forms one of Africa’s most diverse coastal wetlands.

The main reason to visit, however, is the mesmerising coastal scenery. Sand dunes from Sossusvlei, reaching a high of up to 100 metres, dramatically meet the Atlantic Ocean.

HOW TO VISIT?

The only way to visit Sandwich Harbour is on a guided tour. The terrain is extremely challenging to drive on, and only very experienced drivers are able to navigate it safely.

They can also get you to the most dramatic viewpoints, and the guides provide a lot of information about the area.

Tours to Sandwich Harbour leave from Walvis Bay.

We did the Pelican Point Kayaking Tour and the Sandwich Harbour tour on the same day, which is a great way to do it.

SANDWICH HARBOUR TOURS

It’s possible to do either the Sandwich Harbour tour or the Pelican Point. However, while you are in the area, we highly recommend doing both.

We did the Pelican Point tour in the morning and then the Sandwich Harbour tour in the afternoon. This allows you time at the Walvis Bay marina to grab lunch in between the two tours.

PELICAN POINT SEAL KAYAKING TOUR

The kayaking tour departs from Walvis Bay and starts with a scenic 4×4 drive along the Walvis Bay Lagoon and the salt mines.

The road we went out on was made of local salt and gypsum, which softens when wet and then gets compacted by the weight of cars. This effectively fixes its own potholes.

At the lagoon, we witnessed the extraordinary sight of thousands of pelicans, which give the area its name.

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WALVIS BAY LAGOON

After around an hour we arrive at Pelican Point for the kayaking excursion.

The Cape Fur Seals have established a large colony at Pelican Point, and they estimate there are around 50,000 living here.

The tour guide gave us a quick debrief on what to do and not to do around the seals to keep them comfortable. They also provide all the equipment you need.

Then, it was time to get in the kayaks.

The seals are very playful and approached us from around 5 metres from the shoreline. If you engage with them as much as possible, you’ll soon find them nibbling on oars and nudging up against the kayaks.

After the kayaking, we had sandwiches and hot drinks on the beach before the drive back to Walvis Bay.

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU?

Warm layers and a windbreaker are a good idea for staying warm on the water.

You’ll also get pretty wet, so bring a change of clothes and a towel. There are no changing rooms, but the guides put up small tents that you can change in behind.

The seals are very playful, so you’ll want to get photos while on the water. A waterproof case for your phone or camera is essential if you want to have it with you on the kayak.

BOOKING YOUR TOUR

Kayaking tours leave from the Waterfront at Walvis Bay.

Check-in time is between 7:30 am to 8:00 am, and the tour takes about 4.5 hours with 2 hours on the water.

Life jackets are provided, as are coffee, tea and sandwiches.

Book your Pelican Point Seal Kayaking Tour

SANDWICH HARBOUR 4×4 TOUR

The Sandwich Harbour tour also starts from Walvis Bay and drives out along the salt flats, starting with a debrief on the local ecosystem.

As we headed deeper into the Namib desert, the shrubs from the salt pan and harbour were left behind, and we were soon surrounded by nothing but sand.

The dunes present very challenging driving conditions, and the fragile nature of the ecosystems needs protection. Hence, it’s not recommended that you attempt to self-drive to Sandwich Harbour.

In any case, the tour with a professional driver is an exhilarating experience.

The 4×4 you do the tour in can manage slopes of about 30 degrees, taking you over incredible locations with spectacular views.

The highest point at Sandwich Harbour, with an ocean of rippling dunes on one side and an ocean of crashing waves on the other, is a spectacular sight.

At the viewpoint, we had the opportunity to get out and snap some photos. This was an incredible experience and one of our top things to do in Namibia.

The tour ends with oysters, champagne and snacks while you admire the view.

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU?

Strong winds are a regular feature of Sandwich Harbour, and no matter the temperature, it can still feel cold when you’re walking around on top of the dunes. So bring layers to rug up with.

The other thing to be aware of is that you’ll need something to protect your camera from sand flying around due to the strong wind.

We were a bit unprepared for this and had to use a pull-over, which did the trick, but then I was cold! So bring a spare T-shirt to keep your camera covered up.

Sunglasses are also a good idea to keep the sand out of your eyes.

Drones are not permitted in Sandwich Harbour.

BOOKING YOUR TOUR

The Sandwich Harbour 4×4 tour leaves at around 1 pm from the waterfront at Walvis Bay.

The tour involves driving over the sand dunes for the best viewpoints and fascinating environmental information.

Afternoon tea of fresh Namibian oysters and champagne is also provided.

Book your Sandwich Harbour Tour

THE COMBO TOUR

Combining the Kayaking with the Sandwich Harbour 4×4 tour will give you a discount on both activities.

You’ll be dropped back at the waterfront in Walvis Bay, where you’ll have enough time to grab some lunch before the 4×4 tour starts around 1 pm.

Book your combo tour.

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Paul Healy

Paul is an experienced travel writer with a collection of prestigious industry awards, including the title of Blogger of the Year at both the British Guild of Travel Writers and the TravMedia Awards.

His expertise lies in crafting engaging content, focusing on city breaks, comprehensive country-wide guides, and useful travel tips.

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