Pelican Point BeachNamibia Beach Guide

You can reach Pelican Point by car from Walvis Bay in around 30 minutes, or by boat from Walvis Bay harbour in roughly 20 minutes — both options run daily. Independent vehicle access beyond the concession gate is not permitted; a guided tour is required, and a 4WD vehicle is essential on the soft sand spit. Parking is available for guests of Pelican Point Lodge. A concession tour fee covers both access and a guide, so budget for that before you go.

The Cape fur seal colony is the undisputed centrepiece — animals haul out on the sand in significant numbers, and a guided tour puts you close enough to watch without disturbing them. Dolphin kayaking tours operate from the area, offering a rare chance to paddle alongside wild dolphins in the grey Atlantic waters. The decommissioned lighthouse at the tip of the spit is a striking landmark worth photographing, and the proximity to Walvis Bay Lagoon — a Ramsar-listed wetland hosting flamingo and pelican colonies — means wildlife encounters extend well beyond the beach itself.

The nearest dining options are back toward Walvis Bay, roughly 10 kilometres away. Dock Side offers seafood and grill, Anchors @ The Jetty and La Bella Vita are both solid choices at a similar distance, and Rojo Seaside Pub & Restaurant is just slightly further along. The Raft is worth the short extra drive at around 10.7 kilometres from the point.

Pelican Point Lodge sits just 2.3 kilometres from the beach and is the obvious base — staying here also gives you access to the lodge's parking area. Back in Walvis Bay, La Coastal Guesthouse is around 10 kilometres away, with Protea Hotel Walvis Bay Pelican Bay, Oyster Box Guesthouse, and Casa Mia all within roughly 11 kilometres of the beach.

Shoot the seal colony and lighthouse in the soft light of early morning, when the mist off the Benguela current adds atmosphere without fully obscuring the spit. The sand spit's narrow morphology — white sand flanked by grey water on both sides — makes for a compelling wide-angle composition, especially from elevated vantage points during a guided 4WD approach.

Access is via guided tour only — you cannot simply drive in and explore independently, and no vehicle access is permitted beyond the concession gate. Keep a strict distance of at least 5 metres from all seals: bites are possible if animals are approached, and confirmed rabies cases in 2025 make this a genuine medical risk, not a formality. The cold Benguela current makes swimming dangerous — do not enter the water under any circumstances. Avoid visiting in June, July, or August, when dense coastal fog is at its thickest and tour operations may be limited.