The great white pelican is one of the most reliable and memorable sightings on our boat tours: with a wingspan close to two metres, they’re regularly seen flying alongside the boat or landing directly on deck.
A familiar face on tour
Pelicans here have grown accustomed to boat traffic over years of tours passing through the bay, which is part of why they’re so willing to approach and land close to guests. Watching one glide in for a landing, wings fully extended, is often one of the most photographed moments of a trip.
Where they live
Pelicans are resident in the Walvis Bay lagoon year-round, feeding on the abundant small fish supported by the nutrient-rich water here. They’re often seen in loose groups alongside cormorants and flamingos, sharing the same shallow feeding grounds.
Frequently asked questions
Are the pelicans wild, or trained to land on boats?
They’re entirely wild: their comfort around boats comes from years of habituation to tour traffic, not training.
Can pelicans be seen outside of boat tours?
Yes: they’re visible from the Walvis Bay lagoon walkway as well, alongside the resident flamingo population.
Ready to book?
Three decades of catamaran cruises on the bay, kayaking among the seals at Pelican Point and 4x4 trips through the dunes to Sandwich Harbour, under the wide-open Namib sky, with a Walvis Bay crew who know every tide and wind on this coast.