Walvis Bay, a small community about 35 minutes from Swakopmund, Namibia is known for its Cape fur seal tours. Being animal lovers, we couldn’t miss a chance to kayak with them. Our small group tour took us to Pelican Point, home to the seal colony. The drive there was scenic, passing hundreds of flamingos, salt pans, and a pink lake before heading off-road over the sandy beaches. Mason was fascinated by the animal facts our guide shared, learning about the differences between greater and lesser flamingos.
Pelican Point
As we reached Pelican Point, we passed an aged black-and-white lighthouse and several jackals roaming the beach. The sun shone over crystal-clear, still water. Not a ripple in sight —perfect conditions for kayaking.
Kayaking with Cape Fur Seals
We paired off into our kayaks, with the boys eager to paddle together, and we were happy to give them some freedom. The group paddled around the peninsula to the open ocean, where many Cape fur seals were sunbathing on the rocks. As soon as the seals saw us, they rushed into the water to greet us, flapping their tails to splash us, darting under the kayaks, and surprising us by leaping out of the water. Their excitement was infectious—they were curious and friendly, unlike anything we had expected.
The boys did fantastic—they paddled confidently, working together and making their way to the seals, unafraid to venture ahead of the group. After some time in the open ocean, we paddled back to the main seal colony area in the inside channel. Here, we saw even more seals, and they came closer to the boats, especially in the shallower waters. We also witnessed seal interactions on land, as they scrambled down rocks toward the water, using their flippers and sliding on their bellies. We even spotted tiny seal pups playing in the water.
It was an incredible experience that we will remember forever.
Where to Stay?
Alte Brucke Resort in Swakopmund is about a 35 minute drive to Walvis Bay. Swakopmund is close to grocery stores, banks, and gas stations, making it a great place to stock up before heading to the Skeleton Coast.
Alte Brucke Resort campsites were close together but separated by half-stone walls, allowing for some privacy. Each site had power, water, a private bathroom/shower, a covered patio, a fire pit and chimney, an outdoor sink, and a concrete prep counter. There was a grassy area to set up campers or tents. Wi-Fi reached the campsites. Cabins and a restaurant were also available.
The resort is also within walking distance of the beach and the famous Swakopmund jetty.
Ready to Start Planning Your Wild Adventure?
Check out these related posts to help plan your trip:
- 51-Day Africa Safari – Part 1: South Africa & Namibia’s Coast
- 51-Day Africa Safari – Part 2: Namibia’s Etosha & Caprivi Strip
- 51-Day Africa Safari – Part 3: Victoria Falls & Botswana
- Our Best and Worst Day on Safari
- Camping Safari in Africa: Know Before You Go
- Camping Across Southern Africa: A Rundown of our Safari Campsites
- Navigating Border Crossings in Southern Africa
- Safari with Kids: Tips from the Road
- Etosha NP with Kids: A Family Safari to Remember
- Exploring the Caprivi Strip with Kids
- Okonjima Family Safari: Where the Wild Things Wait
- The Smoke that Thunders: A Trip to Victoria Falls
- Into the Wild: Chobe NP with Kids
- Sunset Cruise on the Chobe River: A Photo Journey
- Living Giants: A Photo Journey Through Nxai Pan National Park
