Founded sometime in the 1790s and home to just 51,618 residents (as of 2024), Walvis Bay is considered to be one of Namibia’s most important tourist landmarks. And once you’ve read our list of fun facts about this place, you’ll be pencilling it into your next Namibia tour.
This is hands down Namibia’s most fabulous small coastal town. Beautiful Walvis Bay sits neatly along Namibia’s magnificent Skeleton Coast. It is a gold mine of fascinating places and things to see, waiting to be explored by curious travellers just like you.
Walvis Bay is known for having some truly spectacular landscapes, an interesting history, and some of the most fascinating marine attractions, including a rich marine life. A visit to this town is one of the books, and a must if what you want is an epic Namibia tour.
What are the most interesting facts about Walvis Bay, Namibia?
Did you know Walvis Bay boasts a dazzling population of flamingos that outnumber Namibia’s entire human population? And did you know that it is also Namibia’s largest port? Or that the population size swells during the busy fishing season, as seasonal workers arrive in their droves to help out?
These, along with a myriad of other facts, make Walvis Bay a worthy holiday destination.
Buckle up your curiosity, give into your sense of adventure, and prepare to be amazed by some of the most incredible fun facts about this Namibian gem that we are sure you didn’t know.
- It has a unique history
The Walvis Bay story stretches back centuries. Originally the area attracted seafarers with its calm waters and abundant marine life.
The town began as a whaling station, established in the late 18th century. It had a booming industry, with massive ships and the hunt for these leviathans shaped the town’s early character.
Over time, Walvis Bay transitioned from a whaling hub to a bustling port town.
This transformation was the result of its strategic location and valuable resources, which as you can imagine during the 1800s, attracted various colonial powers.
One interesting historical figure you might hear a lot about during your explorations is Bartolomeu Dias, the Portuguese explorer who first set foot in the bay in 1487, paving the way for its future developments.
- Its name is pretty interesting too
Although it wasn’t the Dutch or the Afrikaans who colonised the area, the name Walvis Bay boasts Dutch origins, and that is because the town was used as a stopover for people travelling between Cape Town and the Netherlands.
In Dutch, Walvis means whale and the name comes from the fact that the ocean is frequently filled with whales, although in the past the whale numbers were much higher.
- It’s a spectacular wildlife attraction
And its landscapes are equally gorgeous! Walvis Bay is surrounded on 3 fronts by those iconic Namib Desert sand dunes, and it also has a pretty wonderful beach. Naturally, Walvis Bay is home to a lot of fun outdoor activities, enough to keep any tourist entertained, and exhausted, for days on end.
Some of the best activities that you can look forward to doing include boat cruises where you’ll see seals, dolphins and birds, and trips into the exciting Namib Desert.
- It has flamingos!
Those long-legged pink birds are a familiar sight in Walvis Bay. The flamingos can be seen in the lagoons on the bay’s south side. Another interesting fact, while on the subject of the lagoons, is that they along with the area’s salt pans make up the Walvis Bay Wetlands which are one of Southern Africa’s most important wetlands.
Although you can see the flamingos all year round, the size of the flamingo population varies throughout the year. The best time to see the flamingos is from around September to April.
Walvis Bay is a seabird migration point as well, making it the destination of choice for birdwatchers.
- It’s the place for water sports
Walvis Bay’s location makes it perfect for water sports.
The bay catches the wind just right, which in turn creates waves that are just about ideal for activities like sailing, kitesurfing and windsurfing. If you are booking a Namibia tour that will take you to Walvis Bay, double-check what will be included in terms of activities, as often activities are generally added extras.
While on the topic of activities, Walvis Bay is considered one of the best entry points to the Namib Desert, where you can go sandboarding, have a safari, and take plenty of stunning photos of the otherworldly landscapes.
- It has stunning geological wonders
Just a short distance away from Walvis Bay lies Sandwich Harbour, a place where towering desert dunes meet the cool Atlantic Ocean. This unique meeting point creates a pretty amazing panorama that is unlike any other.
The general geology of the area is also a treasure trove for curious minds.
Millions of years ago, this region was actually an ocean floor. Now, fossilized evidence of this prehistoric past can be found scattered throughout the landscape. When walking on the desert sands around Walvis Bay, keep your eyes peeled as you might just stumble upon a piece of history millions of years in the making!
- It has culture!
Depending on the time of your visit, you might arrive during the energetic Walvis Bay International Sea Kayak Festival. Alternatively, you can celebrate the rich Namibian sea heritage at the National Marine Science Aquarium’s annual Diaz Festival, commemorating Bartolomeu Dias’ historic landing.
If you want to take part in any of the town’s events, you should be sure to book your Namibia tour at the right time.
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