walvis bay shore excursions

Walvis Bay Cruise Ship Shore Excursion

Walvis Bay is a small port on the Skeleton Coast of Namibia and the gateway to the Namib Desert. This day tour is designed specially for guests on the many cruise ships that stop in Walvis Bay wanting a shore excursion of Swakopmund , the dunes, activities and sheer otherness of the desert.

The Walvis Bay Cruise Ship Tour is available for individuals and groups. Larger groups attract bigger discounts and the type of vehicles we use for the day tour depends on the number of participants.

The itinerary can be tailored to suit your group's needs so rally the troops for a fun, affordable desert adventure.

tour details

Trip summary.

Day 1: Walvis Bay, Swakopmund & Surrounds

tour highlights

• Visit the RAMSAR wetlands site of Walvis Bay Lagoon
• Climb Dune 7
• Discover the incredible views of Moonlandscape
• Explore Swakopmund and a chance to enjoy lunch overlooking the sea

Day-to-day Itinerary

Full day private guided shore excursion.

Explore the RAMSAR wetlands site of Walvis Bay Lagoon teeming with birdlife; summit the mighty Dune 7 for an amazing 360-degree view of the dunes, the desert and the Atlantic Ocean; explore the eerie Lunar Landscape behind the dunes; enjoy a convivial luncheon in Swakopmund and visit the town's curio markets, craft shops, art galleries, museums and beachfront.

‍ 09H00 Passengers are picked up from the ship and board onto private 4x4 vehicle 09h30 Visit Dune 7 where you can either do an activity with their activity centre or challenge yourself by climbing the highest dune in the area. Thereafter you will make your way to Moon Landscape where you will have a chance to explore the area. (the extra activity cost will be for your own account) 12H00 Head to Swakopmund, and do a brief Swakopmund City Tour with your guide 13H00 You will be transferred to a local restaurant where you can have coffee and cake or a light lunch (the extra meal cost will be for your own account) 14H30 Drive back to Walvis Bay and visit the Walvis Bay Lagoon 16H00 You will be transferred back to the ship in time for boarding

Sandwich Harbour Full & Half Day 4x4 Excursions

‍ Sandwich Harbour, part of the Namib-Naukluft Park, is a place many have heard of but very few have ever visited. Giant sand dunes run straight into the ocean, creating breathtaking sceneries and unique landscapes just waiting to be discovered! Guides will keep clients preferences in mind when driving through the dunes as some might enjoy a real off-road experience while others might only want to cruise. Temperatures can vary dramatically so please take a hat, sunscreen, good walking shoes and a warm jacket. ‍ Half-Day Excursion ZAR 2000 per person Full-Day Excursion ZAR 2400 per person

Marine Dune Day Excursion

‍ The Marine Dune Day gives you the ultimate combination of a leisure boat cruise on the Atlantic Ocean, a delicious lunch on the beach or in the dunes, and a 4x4 ride in the breath-taking Sandwich Harbour area of the Namib-Naukluft Park. ZAR 2800 per person

Zeila Shipwreck, Cape Cross Seal Colony & Dead Sea Full Day Tour

‍ From your cruise ship you follow the road north toward Henties Bay, passing the Zeila Shipwreck along the way. Further on the journey takes you to Cape Cross to visit the cape fur seals and the surrounding area. Also visit Namibia’s very own "dead sea".

Kayaking and Sandwich Harbour Combo

This combo combines the Pelican Point Kayaking Tour with an excursion to Sandwich Harbour. After your kayaking excursion you will head back to the Walvis Bay Waterfront where a 4x4 vehicle will collect you to take you on a Sandwich Harbour 4x4 Excursion into the Namib-Naukluft Park. The journey takes you through the Kuiseb river delta, a dry riverbed where the odd springbok can be seen. We cross beautiful dunes, including our famous slingshot and roaring dune. If the tides allow, you can access the Sandwich Harbour lagoon along the beach, or we see the lagoon from one of the many beautiful lookout spots. The guide will find a suitable spot for some snacks and a refreshment. ZAR 2800 per person

There are loads of activities to choose from and we can tailor your day trip to suit your timetable and what you'd most like to do and see. Anything is possible and options are unlimited. Talk to a travel expert now to start planning.

• Collection and return at Walvis Bay Port
• Professional guide
• Vehicle and fuel
• Drinking water
• Park entry fees
• 24/7 in-country support
• Meals and refreshments
• Staff gratuities

ZAR 4,375 per person (2 people with one 4x4 vehicle) ZAR 2,755 per person (4 people with one 4x4 vehicle) ZAR 2,390 per person (5 people with one 4x4 vehicle)

• All prices are approximate
• All prices are in ZAR (South African Rands) for Namibia and South Africa and in USD (US Dollars) for Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia
• All prices are based on the per person sharing rates

Similar Tours & Safaris

Meet the Team

"We loved our experience with NTS"

We loved Namibia and its unique landscapes and kind people. It was certainly an adventure and a privilege to get to spend time there.

"We can't wait to return"

I can't thank you enough for helping to put together this trip. It exceeded all our expectations and we fell in love with your country.

"We had a wonderful time in Namibia"

All in all we had a wonderful time and appreciate the effort made to ensure all aspects of our tour ran smoothly with prompt email support where needed.

"What a wonderful journey we had in beautiful and friendly Namibia!"

Namibia has stolen our travel-heart and you can consider us as new ambassadors of this spectacular country.

Quick Enquiry

Subscribe to our newsletter, get in touch.

social media

By continuing to browse this site, you consent to the use of cookies. For more information on how we use cookies please review our Privacy Policy .

• 00800 0310 21 21 1-855-577-9489 1-877-288-3037 1-877-288-3037 1-877-474-2969
• | NCL Travel Blog">11-Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog
• | Norwegian Cruise Line">14-Day Authentic Alaska - Northbound Cruise Tour | Norwegian Cruise Line
• | Deck Plans | Norwegian Cruise Line">14-Day Authentic Alaska - Southbound Cruise Tour | Deck Plans | Norwegian Cruise Line
• | Norwegian Cruise Line">20-Day Transpacific from Tokyo (Yokohama) & Alaska | Norwegian Cruise Line
• | NCL Travel Blog">11 Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog
• View All Results
• Preferences
• Latitudes Rewards
• Special Offers
• Personalised Recommendations
• Make reservations before you cruise
• 1 (current)

* Terms & Conditions Package not available on sailings less than 5 days or charter sailings.

Shore Excursions

Swakopmund Sightseeing

Walvis bay, namibia.

Seal and Pelican Cruise

Treasures of the Namib Desert By Off-Road Vehichle

Living Desert By Off-Road Vehicle

Birding Tour

• Display Results:

Shore EXCURSIONS

Shore excursions (9).

• Results per page:

Added to Favourites!

Duration 5 hrs

Explore Swakopmund’s colonial past during this orientation tour that includes a visit to the Walvis Bay Lagoon. Journey along the scenic coast to the mouth of the Swakop River and find Swakopmund, an enchanting seaside resort that resembles a Bavarian village. You’ll see the town’s colonial past reflected in the early 19th-century art nouveau architecture found on many appealing buildings that have been declared national monuments. Discover the neo-Baroque German Evangelical Lutheran Church and the elegant historic Railway Station, which is now the Swakopmund Hotel’s reception area. After passing the town’s historic jetty, you’ll walk to the Karakulia Weavers where Karakul sheep wool is spun, dyed and woven into rugs and wall hangings. Explore the Kristall Gallery, which displays crystals weighing up to 14 tons, and appreciate free time at the Brauhaus Gallery, a town center shopping arcade. Make a brief stop at the Walvis Bay Lagoon and tidal flood plains, declared a Wetland of International Importance, and marvel at its rich marine life and myriad bird species.

HIGHLIGHTS • Uncover early 19th-century art nouveau architecture in Swakopmund, a seaside resort town that evokes a Bavarian village. • See the lovely neo-Baroque German Evangelical Lutheran Church and the ornate former Railway Station. • View the town’s beloved jetty and the Karakulia Weavers, where sheep wool is made into rugs and wall hangings. • Study crystals up to 14 tons at the Kristall Gallery and browse the shops in the Brauhaus Gallery. • Observe the Walvis Bay Lagoon and tidal flood plains, recognized internationally for its environmental importance.

HELPFUL HINTS • Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes. • Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.

• Adult from: € 162,02 EUR
• Child from: € 162,02 EUR

Duration 4 hrs

Applaud the splendid natural beauty of Southern Africa's western coast during this dolphin and seal cruise on the Walvis Bay Lagoon. Travel along a littoral road to the historic jetty at Swakopmund and board an open-air boat for a three-hour cruise in the renowned Walvis Bay Lagoon, declared a Wetland of International Importance as it is one of the most significant ecological sites along Southern Africa’s western coast. You’ll learn that the lagoon is well-known for its native bird species and vast array of intra-African and Palaearctic migrants, and find the water is usually very calm yet teeming with avian and marine life. Continue on to Pelican Point, a sand spit separating Walvis Bay from the Atlantic Ocean, where you’ll likely encounter a large Cape fur seal colony, and watch for schools of heavyside and bottlenose dolphins that often swim alongside the boat. Keep a sharp lookout for white-chinned petrels, Wilson’s storm petrels, cape gannets, pelicans and cormorants. During your cruise, you’ll savor a delicious repast of fresh oysters, sparkling wine, soft drinks and a selection of open-faced sandwiches, a perfect accompaniment to your outdoor adventure.

HIGHLIGHTS • Embark an open-air boat for an in-depth exploration of the famed Walvis Bay Lagoon. • Survey the lagoon’s protected wetland, known for its plethora of avian species and marine life. • Thrill to schools of heavyside and bottlenose dolphins trailing beside your boat. • Search for white-chinned petrels, Wilson’s storm petrels or cape gannets amid a flurry of countless pelicans and cormorants. • Spy a large colony of Cape fur seals at sandy Pelican Point.

HELPFUL HINTS • Dress in weather-appropriate clothing. • Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

• Adult from: € 134,87 EUR
• Child from: € 134,87 EUR

Duration 4 1/2 hrs

Experience the treasures of the Namib Desert during this memorable off-road expedition that includes a stop at the renowned Walvis Bay Lagoon. Board your off-road vehicle for a drive to the Namib-Naukluft National Park, which encompasses the Naukluft Mountain Range and part of the Namib, one of the world’s oldest deserts and site of the world’s highest and most vividly colored sand dunes. As you explore the unique plant life and terrain of this arid region, you’ll discover Moon Landscape, a vastly eroded valley that is reminiscent of the lunar surface due to the wind’s effect on the rock formations and sand. You’ll proceed to the Welwitschia Valley, where thousands of bizarre welwitschia plants are scattered about. After stopping to view these distinctive specimens as well as a variety of interesting lichens, you’ll continue to a scenic location for a refreshment of orange juice and savory snacks.

HIGHLIGHTS • See the rugged mountains, shifting dunes and vibrant colors of beguiling Namib-Naukluft National Park. • Gaze in awe at a lunar-like topography carved out by the wind at Moon Landscape. • Study the uniquely unattractive welwitschia plant, found only in the Namib Desert.

• Adult from: € 216,33 EUR
• Child from: € 216,33 EUR

Discover the unique denizens of the world's oldest desert during this off-road adventure in the Namib Desert. Settle in for a vista-filled drive in an off-road vehicle to the eerily beautiful Namib Desert. Upon arrival, you’ll be led by an expert guide through seemingly lifeless landscapes in search of indigenous species and learn how they adapt to the inhospitable environment. Perhaps see creatures like the sidewinding adder, the Palmetto gecko, the sand-diving lizard, the Namaqua chameleon and various other diminutive beetles, lizards and geckos that live and survive in the torrid desert conditions. Enjoy refreshing orange juice and savory snacks. During your return along a scenic coastal road, contemplate the nearly ineffable beauty of the bewitching Namib and its resilient tenants.

HIGHLIGHTS • Board an off-road vehicle for an exhilarating outing into the breathtaking Namib Desert. • Search the barren landscape for indigenous species that have adapted to the challenging environment. • Stay alert for glimpses of the Palmetto gecko, sand-diving lizards or Namaqua chameleons.

• Adult from: € 207,28 EUR
• Child from: € 207,28 EUR

Thrill to sightings of a profusion of bird species during this tour to the rich feeding grounds of the Walvis Bay Lagoon and salt mine. Journey to the ecologically indispensable Walvis Bay Lagoon, declared a Wetland of International Importance, and begin your quest to identify the wide variety of shore birds and waders who congregate there, including sandpipers, plovers, pelicans and herons, depending upon the season. You’ll enter the sedimentation pans of the expansive Walvis Bay Salt Holdings, the largest producer of solar sea salt in sub-Saharan Africa, and enjoy a close-up view of the many resident birds, perhaps even seeing phalaropes, grebes and terns, including the rare Damara tern. Travel farther along the beach to Pelican Point and discover a large Cape fur seal colony, along with osprey and exotic African black oystercatchers.

HIGHLIGHTS • Catalogue sightings of numerous waders and shore birds at the nutrient-rich Walvis Bay Lagoon. • See a plethora of avian species, such as sandpipers, plovers, herons and pelicans. • Visit the Walvis Bay Salt mine to look for phalaropes, grebes and terns. • Spy osprey and African black oystercatchers at Pelican Point, home to a Cape fur seal colony.

• Adult from: € 189,18 EUR
• Child from: € 189,18 EUR

Township Tour

Delve into the daily bustle of Walvis Bay on a visit to a working-class residential district during this rewarding tour. Travel a coastal road to Mondesa Township, which was established in the early 1950s to provide housing for Owambo, Damara and Herero people working in the city of Swakopmund. You’ll find that this district, just a brief distance from Swakopmund’s center, reveals a radically different world from the tourist center, providing you with an invaluable opportunity for personal growth by interacting with the friendly families who reside there. Observe the inhabitants’ daily life during an approximately three-hour customized tour that engages you in the resident’s everyday activities, and learn some of the region’s history to assist you in bridging the cultural gap and achieving increased understanding. In addition to benefitting from your immersion into a much different way of life, you’ll feel gratified that a portion of your visitor’s fee is contributed to a community fund that honors and supports the district’s citizens.

HIGHLIGHTS • Visit Mondesa Township, a culturally diverse district of Swakopmund built to house the city’s workers. • Meet the resident families, a priceless opportunity to grasp a culture likely entirely different from your own. • Appreciate that a portion of your fee supports Mondesa’s citizens. • Further your knowledge of the township’s history to better understand life in Mondesa.

• Adult from: € 171,07 EUR
• Child from: € 171,07 EUR

Moon Landscape and Welwitschia

Marvel at a vast national park that is distinguished by massive sand dunes and otherworldly terrain during a tour of a remarkable desert environment. Continuing on, you’ll enter the Namib-Naukluft National Park, which includes part of the Namib Desert and is the country’s largest nature preserve, and notice its striking rusty-hued sand dunes, whose colors vary due to the iron in the sand oxidizing to a darker shade as the dunes age. In spite of the seemingly harsh conditions, find flora and fauna thriving here, such as the raggedy welwitschia, which resembles wilted lettuce and produces only two leaves in its up to 500-year lifetime. You’ll journey to Moon Landscape, a vastly eroded valley that is reminiscent of the lunar surface. Discover that even though the environment appears to be barren, it supports a complex ecosystem of lichens and shrubs subsisting on the occasional moisture provided by sea fog that rolls in from as far as 20 miles away. You’ll wonder at nature’s incredible adaptability during this fascinating excursion.

HIGHLIGHTS • Experience the Namib-Naukluft National Park, a striking natural preserve that includes part of the Namib Desert. • Wonder at the hardiness of the flora and fauna that thrive in the arid desert conditions. • Contemplate a lunar-like topography carved out by the wind at Moon Landscape. • Examine the unappealing welwitschia plant, which resembles wilted lettuce and lives up to five centuries. • Discern the age of a sand dune from the depth of its rust color, due to oxidation through the years.

• Adult from: € 180,12 EUR
• Child from: € 180,12 EUR

Sandwich Harbour

Explore the Sandwich Harbour area in a 4x4 vehicle that can negotiate vastly different, otherwise inaccessible terrains. As an introduction to the natural wonders, you will first stop at Walvis Lagoon, which attracts a remarkable variety of seabirds and thousands of pink flamingoes. The species that you see will depend on the season, as many of the birds are migratory. You will then travel south through Namib-Naukluft Park, a hauntingly beautiful arid landscape with towering sand dunes. A natural tidal lagoon rims the coast, whose sparse vegetation stabilizes the dunes, which would otherwise shift dramatically. If the tides and ocean swells permit, you will drive to the lagoon along the beach. If not, you will travel entirely across the surrounding dunes, some of which rise more than 200 feet above sea level. Either way, you can expect to see a massive number of water birds, including cormorants, terns and waders.

• Ride in a 4x4 vehicle through protected natural areas that would be inaccessible otherwise.
• View a staggeringly high number of seabirds, including flamingoes in season.
• Drive along the beach that rims remote Sandwich Harbour or across the surrounding sand dunes.
• Adult from: € 270,64 EUR

Pelican Point Kayaking & 4X4 Drive

• Enjoy a scenic cruise aboard a catamaran across Walvis Bay to Pelican Point.
• Kayak off Pelican Point, a thin finger of land that enormous numbers of seals and seabirds inhabit.
• Look for bottlenose and Heaviside’s dolphins, often swimming right next to your kayak.
• Ride across the surrounding salt pans, along the coast and into the dunes in a 4x4 vehicle.

*Prices vary by ship and sail date. See Terms & Conditions

NCL makes arrangements for Guests for shore excursions solely for the convenience of the Guest; NCL does not act on behalf of or supervise the parties or persons who own, furnish, or operate such excursions, and the same are provided by independent contractors. NCL assumes no responsibility for, nor guarantees the performance of, any such excursion provider, and Guests acknowledge that NCL shall not be liable for losses or injuries arising from the acts or omissions of such provider.

Participation in activities and excursions may involve physical exertion, and may be potentially hazardous or dangerous. It is the responsibility of each individual to determine whether you are capable of engaging in any activity. Participation in any activity or excursion is at your own risk.

Photographs are for illustration purposes only used to represent the excursion experience and may not accurately depict the excursion, location, or activity indicated.

Die Teilnahme an Aktivitäten und Exkursionen kann körperlich anstrengend sein und unter Umständen Risiken und Gefahren beinhalten. Jeder einzelne Gast trägt die Verantwortung dafür, einzuschätzen, ob er/sie in der Lage ist, an entsprechenden Aktivitäten teilzunehmen. Die Teilnahme an Aktivitäten und Exkursionen erfolgt auf eigene Gefahr.

Die Fotos dienen ausschließlich zur Veranschaulichung der Exkursionserfahrung und bilden möglicherweise die entsprechende Exkursion, den Ort oder die Aktivität nicht akkurat ab.

A participação em atividades e excursões pode envolver esforço físico e pode ser perigosa. É sua responsabilidade determinar se você é capaz de participar das atividades. A participação em qualquer atividade ou excursão é por sua conta e risco.

As fotos são apenas para fins ilustrativos, usadas para representar a experiência da excursão e podem não retratar com precisão a localização ou atividade indicada.

アクティビティや寄港地観光ツアーには激しい活動を行うものもあり、危険が伴う場合もあります。 内容がご自身に適したものかは各自でご判断ください。 アクティビティや寄港地観光ツアーへは、あくまでもご自身の責任でご参加いただきますようお願いいたします。

写真は寄港地観光ツアーの体験を表現するためのもので、実際のツアーや場所、アクティビティとは異なる場合があります。

La partecipazione ad attività ed escursioni potrebbe prevedere sforzi fisici e potrebbe essere potenzialmente rischiosa o pericolosa. È responsabilità di ciascun individuo stabilire se si è in grado di partecipare a qualsiasi attività. La partecipazione a qualunque attività o escursione è a proprio rischio e pericolo.

Le fotografie utilizzate per raffigurare l'escursione sono unicamente a fini illustrativi e potrebbero non rappresentare accuratamente l'escursione, il luogo o l'attività indicata.

La participation aux activités et excursions peut demander un effort physique et peut parfois être potentiellement dangereuse. Il revient à toute personne de déterminer si elle est capable de participer à une activité ou non. La participation à toute activité ou excursion se fait à vos propres risques.

Les photos sont affichées à titre d'illustration uniquement et de représentation de l'expérience et peuvent ne pas représenter l'excursion, le lieu ou l'activité indiqués avec précision.

השתתפות בפעילויות ובסיורים עשויה לכלול מאמץ פיזי, ועלולה להיות מסוכנת. זוהי אחריותו של כל אדם לקבוע האם הוא מסוגל להשתתף בכל פעילות. השתתפות בכל פעילות או סיור היא על אחריותכם בלבד.

תמונות מוצגות לצורך הדגמה בלבד, הן משמשות כדי לייצג את חוויית הסיור ועלולות שלא לתאר במדויק את הסיור, המיקום או הפעילות.

Las fotografías son solo para fines ilustrativos y se utilizan para representar la experiencia de la excursión y es posible que no reflejen con precisión la excursión, el lugar o la actividad indicada.

 Red Dune Safaris |Registered Tour Operator in Walvis Bay| Email: [email protected]    | Mobile:   +264 81 2244 530

We offer the BEST things to DO in Walvis Bay *PrivateTours* Specialised Photography Tours* Safaris* Shore Excursions* Small Groups*   *Sandwich - Harbour Guided Self-Drive * Etosha Safaris Book your adventure with us, the trusted experts !

Our Shore Excursions

Are you enbarking on a cruise to Africa? Why not explore a bit of the continent while on a port stop? We offer a wide range of shore excursions from Walvis Bay port, as well as East London, South Africa. 

Why book with us?

Our shore excursions are specifically planned around your visit to Walvis Bay, Namibia  AND East-London, South Africa

With this in mind we offer various excursions that will cater for your specific needs, yet still provide you with adventure, discovery and wonderful memories of your stop over in Walvis Bay and East London. 

We are very flexible and can accommodate  99% of the requests that you may have, so please contact us if you are uncertain if a specific tour will work with your timing schedule.

Please note our "PAY ON THE DAY"  booking policy for cruise ship shore excursions as of April 2020.

100% refund of deposits if your ship does not dock.

Guests will be required to make a cash payment in Namibian Dollars or South African Rands.

Popular Walvis Bay Shore Excursions:

Sandwich harbour half day 4x4 tour - 4.5 hours, walvis bay highlights 4x4, tour- 4.5 hours, pelican point peninsula 4x4 tour- 3hours, swakopmund town tour - 4.5 hours, moon landscape & welwitschia 4x4 tour- 6hours, welwitschia plains tour(not 4x4) 6hours, popular cape town tours shore excursion:.

Wine Tours in Cape Town - from the novice to the serious wine lover

In partnership with:.