The thick fog slowly creeps on the water, wraps its arms around the boat and creates an eerie white backdrop. The silence is almost deafening. But a sudden splash pulls me back to reality and we are greeted by a friendly face. The whistling sound that almost resembles a creaking door belongs to a dolphin! For a few moments he plays alongside the boat and poses for some photos before he sets off into the ocean.
Not long after his departure a long billed, white feathery pelican also makes his appearance and lands on the boat. He quickly steals everyone’s heart as he patiently waits for the captain to bring him some treats. When hearing Namibia, arid desert landscapes or vast grass plains come to mind, but it is also home to plethora of sea mammals and birds! About 400 km west from Windhoek is Walvis Bay. Although Walvis Bay is known for its salt mines, it is also a prime destination to see plenty of sea life.
Photo credits: Janke Murray
Visitors can book a boat cruise where they will be blown away by the interaction with the marine life. Towards Pelican Point an impressively large Cape Fur seal colony can be spotted. Here visitors will be able to get a close glimpse of these playful animals. Some of them might even come onto the boat for a treat or two. They mostly eat small fish like herring and sardines but they would not say no to crab or crayfish. They are very playful animals and put up a great show for the boat and its visitors.
Do not forget to keep an eye out for the dolphins! Namibia is home to the Heaviside and Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins. These intelligent, graceful and curious creatures will typically snuggle up by the side of the boat to check out the observers and may even sometimes put on a display for the guests by leaping out of the water. The Atlantic Bottlenose is commonly spotted, and they travel in pods. A pod can range from two to twenty dolphins. The Heaviside dolphins tend to have smaller pods.
Photo credits: Janke Murray
While cruising and looking for dolphins, seals and pelicans can be seen up close and sometimes they are even fed with fish heads. These animals know how to entertain a boat full of people! Occasionally, a whale or two might also pass by. Many years ago, whales were hunted in this region causing a decline in the whale population. Luckily, the whales have made their return since around 2012. Southern Right and Humpback whales are predominantly seen in Namibia.
Both species are endangered which truly makes it a blessing when spotting these beautiful creatures. These ocean giants travel from Antarctica toward the equator between June and September and they can sometimes be seen until November. Taking a boat cruise when visiting Walvis Bay offers an unforgettable experience with the perfect combination of natural beauty and wildlife encounters. Whether you are enjoying the fresh sea breeze or watching the seals play there is always something to captivate the senses. If you are lucky, you will have the chance to see dolphins or even a whale! This is an experience you do not want to miss.
Author: Janke Murray