Walvis Bay Cruise Port
Walvis Bay, Namibia · Africa
Cruise ships dock at Namport , Walvis Bay.
Plan my port daysDocked port: ships berth at Namport's Berth 9 passenger jetty inside the working commercial port, near the south gate. Walking through the port is discouraged; most lines run a shuttle to the gate or town centre, and taxis wait at the pier. The Waterfront is close to the gate; the town centre is about 2.5 km away.
At a glance
Port summary
Walvis Bay itself is small and practical; the big draws are the sea, the lagoon and the desert. The classic morning is a catamaran cruise from the Waterfront to Pelican Point, with Cape fur seals and pelicans landing on deck, dolphins alongside and oysters with sparkling wine (about 3.5 hours). Afternoons suit the lagoon promenade, where thousands of flamingos feed, or a climb up Dune 7. Sandwich Harbour, where dunes drop straight into the ocean, needs a licensed 4x4 tour and depends on the tide. Swakopmund, 35 minutes north, has German colonial buildings, a historic jetty, cafés, the Kristall Galerie and the dunes for quad biking and sandboarding. Tours sell out on ship days, so book ahead, and check visa rules: since April 2025 many nationalities need a Namibian visa.
Cruise dock
Namport
Passenger berth. Shuttle to gate/town is usual; walking through the port is discouraged.
Latitude: -22.951626, Longitude: 14.495852
See dock on port map →Getting to Walvis Bay
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
Map & things to do
Money & payments
Pre-pay tours online, use a card in shops and restaurants, and carry about N$500 (or rand) in small notes for taxis, craft stalls and tips. Dune 7 charges an entry fee.
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Typical weather
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Excursions compared
4 comparedPelican Point seal and dolphin lagoon cruise with oysters and sparkling wine
≈ 4 h · sold by 3 cruise lines
Cruise line
€210$233
Do it yourself
€131$145
Save ≈ €79Save ≈ $88 (38% off)
Take the ship's free shuttle to the port gate (walking through the commercial port is discouraged) or a taxi from the pier (N$50–100 per car) a few minutes to the Waterfront, where the local boat operators are based. Mola Mola's 'Marine Cruise & Beach Experience' runs 09:00–12:30 from its Waterfront office (check in 30 minutes early) at N$2,190 adult / N$1,500 child (rates valid Nov 2026–Oct 2027), with oysters, sparkling wine and a light lunch platter included; Catamaran Charters ran a similar 09:00–12:30 trip at N$1,200 in 2024. Check whether your nationality needs a Namibian visa (required for many since April 2025).
See the DIY plan →
Sandwich Harbour 4x4 dune drive where the Namib meets the Atlantic
≈ 4.5 h · sold by 4 cruise lines
Cruise line
€245$271
Do it yourself
€190$211
Save ≈ €55Save ≈ $61 (22% off)
Take the ship's shuttle to the port gate or a taxi (N$50–100 per car) a few minutes to the Waterfront office of Sandwich Harbour 4x4, which runs the same 4-hour trip at 08:30 (back about 12:30) and 13:00 (back about 17:00) for N$3,095 adult / N$2,195 child in 2026, minimum two people. The price includes the lagoon flamingo stop, Kuiseb Delta, dune driving and oysters, sparkling wine and snacks; Mola Mola runs a similar half-day trip from the same Waterfront.
See the DIY plan →
Ready-made port days
8 plansWaterfront and Lagoon Flamingo Walk
The free Walvis Bay day: harbour jetties, then thousands of pink flamingos along the lagoon promenade.
Pelican Point Catamaran: Seals, Dolphins and Oysters
The headline Walvis Bay morning: seals and pelicans hop aboard, dolphins ride the bow, oysters and bubbly on the way back.
Sandwich Harbour 4x4: Where the Dunes Meet the Sea
A thrilling guided drive along the surf and over 100-metre dunes to one of Namibia's great views.
Dune 7 Climb and a Lagoon Lunch
Burn the legs on one of the coast's highest dunes, then refuel with oysters over the flamingos.
Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Walvis Bay?
- Your ship docks directly at the Walvis Bay cruise terminal in Namibia.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Walvis Bay?
- Walking into Walvis Bay from the cruise port isn't practical. Plan to use a shuttle, taxi, or public transport.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Walvis Bay centre?
- Typical options include Shuttle bus, On foot, Taxi, Local bus, Car rental. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Walvis Bay?
- Plan for at least 3.5 hours ashore to see Walvis Bay independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Walvis Bay and are cards accepted?
- Walvis Bay uses the Namibian dollar. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Wi-Fi isn't reliably available at the Walvis Bay cruise terminal. Consider a local SIM or your cruise line's data package.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.
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