Pelican Point, Walvis Bay

Pelican Point is a long, narrow sand spit curling out from Walvis Bay, marked by a black-and-white striped lighthouse and home to one of the largest Cape fur seal colonies on the Namibian coast. It’s the single most visited wildlife site on our tours, reachable only by boat, kayak, or 4×4; there’s no direct public road access.

The spit that makes Walvis Bay possible

Pelican Point isn’t just a wildlife site; it’s the reason Walvis Bay exists as a functioning harbour at all. The peninsula shelters the bay from the open Atlantic, creating the only natural deepwater harbour along Namibia’s entire coastline. The point itself has grown considerably over the last century: sand carried by currents, wind, and periodic floods from the Kuiseb River has extended it roughly two kilometres further out to sea since the early 1900s, which is why the historic lighthouse now sits well back from the current tip.

The lighthouse

Built in 1932 by the South African government, the cast-iron lighthouse at Pelican Point stands roughly 35 metres tall and remains an active navigational aid for ships approaching the harbour. It replaced a small acetylene lantern first installed in 1915, and the tower itself was originally built for a lighthouse in Durban that was never used there. Its distinctive black-and-white bands were chosen after experimentation showed that colour scheme stood out best against the fog and haze common to this coast. Read the full story in our Pelican Point lighthouse guide.

The seal colony

Thousands of Cape fur seals haul out along the sandbank beneath the lighthouse, present here year-round. On most tours, several will swim right up to the boat or kayak out of simple curiosity, it’s the single most reliable wildlife encounter we offer. See our seal colony guide and the broader species profile on our Cape fur seals guide.

Kayaking with seals

Getting into a kayak alongside wild seals is one of the most requested experiences we run, and it’s the closest most visitors will ever get to these animals in the wild. We offer both standard kayaks and clear-hulled crystal kayaks, which give an underwater view of the seals swimming beneath you. Every trip is guide-led for safety. See our full kayaking with seals guide to compare the half-day and full-day options.

How to visit

There’s no public road to Pelican Point; every visit happens by boat, kayak, or a specialist 4×4 crossing, all of which we run daily from the Walvis Bay waterfront. See our how to visit guide for access details.

Frequently asked questions

Can I drive to Pelican Point myself?

No: there’s no public road. Access is only by boat, kayak, or guided 4×4 crossing.

How old is the Pelican Point lighthouse?

The current cast-iron tower dates to 1932, though the first light on the point was installed in 1915.

Are the seals dangerous?

Cape fur seals at Pelican Point are wild but generally curious rather than aggressive, and every kayak trip is guide-led with safety briefings included.

Is Pelican Point the same as Sandwich Harbour?

No: they’re two separate attractions south of Walvis Bay. Pelican Point is the seal colony and lighthouse just outside the harbour; Sandwich Harbour is the dune-and-ocean landscape roughly 80km further south. Many visitors combine both in a single day.

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Every one of our catamaran and kayak tours passes through Pelican Point. Browse all tours →