Walvis Bay Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in May)

Whales in the bay, seals for company—Cape Pelican in Namibia

It's so interesting, Namibia has a population of over 2 million, and so do the seals. In an African country, it feels like you've arrived in Antarctica, with down jackets donned and the Atlantic breeze bringing in bursts of fishy smell. Leaving the stunning sand dunes behind, we arrived at Namibia's second-largest city, Walvis Bay, which presents a completely different scenery. This largest deep-water port in Namibia, once a South African military base. Following a United Nations Security Council resolution, Namibia gained independence from South Africa in 1990, but Walvis Bay was not included in Namibia's territory and remained a South African exclave. It was not until 1994 that Walvis Bay officially returned to Namibia. Walvis Bay was first discovered by Portuguese navigators, back in 1487. As European fleets sailed to Asia, they needed to stop for supplies, and Walvis Bay was once the 'best stopover', known as the 'world's second-best natural harbor'. The waters at the border between South Africa and Namibia are home to a surging current from Antarctica called the Benguela Current. It brings a vast body of water and rich nutrients, making this a world-famous fishing ground, naturally attracting many fish-eating animals. Under the scorching sun, we see seals, sea lions, dolphins, turtles, and flying fish occasionally swimming out from the icy waters, adding endless fun to the lifeless sea. On the beach, less than one square kilometer in size, lies hundreds of thousands of seals, each with a cute and endearing appearance, melting people's hearts. After basking in the swimming pose, the seals also sunbathe, and the seabirds have to obediently make way. Some say that those with ears should be called sea lions. Others say these are seals, better left for zoologists to study. Seeing a red creature peeking in the water, I immediately aimed the 'big lens' at it. Such beautiful creatures, and they turn out to be the jellyfish skin and jellyfish heads we usually eat. This is a large jellyfish family with many species, graceful postures, and some with even more vibrant colors. The cruise ship continues to wander by the beach, and suddenly a perception is shattered—the 'whale' of Walvis Bay appears. The huge creatures that normally visit here in July and August showed up in March at Walvis Bay. I went to Iceland, Alaska, and boarded ships specifically looking for whales, never expecting to encounter them in Africa without any mental preparation. By the Atlantic, you can't just look at the sea and be done with it. The freshly caught oysters are tender, crisp, and delicious. Eating them while feeling the Atlantic breeze, the vastness of the world, the human touch, everything is worth it.

Whale Harbor: Is the magic of nature hidden in every corner?

Hey, explorers! Have you ever wondered if there is a place in some corner of the world, filled with the mysterious charm of nature, waiting for you to explore? Now, let me reveal this fascinating secret place for you - Whale Harbor. 🌊🐳🌅 In this fairy-like sea area, the elegant dance of humpback whales, the brilliant feathers of flamingos, and the leisurely swimming of seals and sea dogs, constitute a beautiful picture of nature. Everything here seems to be a symphony of nature, waiting for you to resonate. 🎶🌟🐧 What's even more amazing is the magnificent view of the sand falling into the sea. Imagine standing on the beach under the afterglow of the setting sun, witnessing the golden sand dunes blending into the blue sea like surging waves. This moment seems to be a miracle presented by nature for you, making you fascinated. 🌅🏖✨ Here, not only are there spectacular performances of whales, but also the elegant dance of flamingos, and the vibrant strange creatures in the sea. All these constitute the unique charm of Whale Harbor, waiting for you to discover. 🐋🌺🔍 "Whale Harbor: Is the magic of nature hidden in every corner?" Let's embark on this wonderful journey together, bathe in the magic of nature, and discover that every corner may hide amazing secrets. 🌈🚤🌟

The Whale Bay Port was first discovered on December 8, 1487 by the Portuguese voyager Bartolomeu Dias. In the early 20th century, the Republic of South Africa and Namibia belonged to the same country. After Namibias independence from South Africa in 1990, only the remaining Whale Bay Port was still not included in the Namibian territory, making it once the territory of South Africa. It was only officially returned to Namibia in 1994. In 1977 South Africa was assigned to the Cape Province of South Africa.

Noble and elegant, the flamingos of Namibia's 'Walvis Bay' dance in the sunset glow

Unexpectedly, in Namibia, one could encounter so many flamingos, and even more surprising is the chance to meet this group of 'pink nobility' right outside the hotel door. This is where the sand meets the sky, stretching out is the endless golden coast, dazzling with sparkling diamonds that adorn the charm of the golden desert of 'Namibia', a world-class vacation paradise. The 'Walvis Bay' by the Atlantic is the largest gathering place for seabirds in Southwest Africa, with no whales but a cloud of seabirds, and more flamingos than in Kenya. This place was once a secluded anchorage for whaling ships, but now the lagoon formed in the harbor is rich in algae, small fish, and shrimp, becoming a paradise for more than a hundred species of birds, known for its numerous seabirds and waterfowl, with flamingos being the most numerous. Three-quarters of all flamingos in Southern Africa reside on this shallow beach, with a total of about 50,000. Flamingos, also known as 'red storks', are elegant and charming waterfowl with eye-catching pink feathers and long legs, making them one of the most popular birds in the world, known as the scenic line among birds. With their slender legs, flamingos always walk with their necks bent and heads raised, standing out against the sky and the water. They have bright feathers, elegant postures, and unique habits, and when they dance, they resemble a vivid painting. Today, just before sunset, standing by the lagoon in the harbor, groups of beautiful messengers dazzle like rainbows, with pink, orange-red, and white intertwined in front of me, astonishing. In the distance, the slender figures of the flamingos shimmer with orange light under the setting sun, as they bow their heads to forage, their long beaks gently stirring, as if dancing a graceful dance. They return in flocks through the water, like clusters of orange flames burning in the twilight. I managed to capture a few of the closest flamingos strolling on the beach with their long legs, looking like a group of wave-stepping dancers against the golden backdrop. The silhouette of the flamingos becomes even more vivid in the twilight. And the lagoon glimmers with golden light, the ripples on the water sparkling, like a beautiful oil painting. Watching and thinking about the group of mysterious fairies in dreamlike pink dresses dancing gracefully in front of the hotel door morning and evening, it's truly intoxicating.

Whale Bay Port was discovered on December 8, 1487 by the Portuguese voyager Bartolomeu Dias. In the early 20th century, the Republic of South Africa and Namibia were originally from the same country. In 1977, South Africa was placed under the Cape Province of South Africa. In 1978, the UN Security Council passed a resolution stating that it belongs to Namibia. After Namibias independence from South Africa in 1990, only the remaining Whale Bay Port was still not included in the Namibian territory, making it once a foreign territory of South Africa. Until 1994, former South African President F.W. de Klerk agreed to return Walvis Port to Namibia. The port of Walvis now has a population of 50,000

Experience a seaside sandboarding adventure in Namibia, a place 99% of Chinese people have never visited

🇳🇦 Namibia, a country in the southwest of Africa, is too remote and mysterious for the vast majority of Chinese people. As more and more Chinese people travel abroad and explore every corner of the world, this country is gradually being noticed by more people. ✈️ There are no direct flights from China to Namibia. One can travel from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, or Chengdu via Ethiopian Airlines to Addis Ababa, and then take a connecting flight to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. Namibia is rich in tourist resources, among which is the Sandwich Harbour near Walvis Bay, the country's second-largest city. It features a world-class phenomenon: dunes cascading into the sea. 🏜️ This is a relatively well-known attraction in the Western world, and visitors to this site used to be predominantly from Europe and America. The desert along the Atlantic coast stretches endlessly, and under the influence of the sea breeze, a large amount of sand rushes into the Atlantic Ocean, creating a spectacular sight of half sand, half sea. The best angle to capture Sandwich Harbour is from the air, and the view is extremely stunning when shot from a drone. If you don't have a drone, you can also take a small plane to enjoy the view, which takes about 1-2 hours. Besides Sandwich Harbour, you can also see other places like the Skeleton Coast. 🚙 Another fantastic experience when visiting Sandwich Harbour is to ride a 4x4 vehicle and go sandboarding through the dunes. The moment you rush down from the peak of the dunes, experiencing the thrill of weightlessness, is incredibly exciting. 🍷 The convoy usually prepares some snacks and drinks, and during the break from sandboarding, you can enjoy a desert afternoon tea, which is also a wonderful experience.