Cape Cross Seal Reserve

The Cape Cross Seal Reserve is one of Namibia’s most unique coastal attractions, home to the world’s largest Cape fur seal colony. Situated between the Skeleton Coast Park and Henties Bay, the reserve offers visitors an unforgettable wildlife experience along the wild Atlantic shores.

A World-Famous Seal Colony

Photo credits: Gondwana Collection Namibia 

The reserve was proclaimed in 1968 to protect this thriving habitat, which is the largest of the 23 Cape fur seal colonies found along the coasts of Namibia and South Africa. Each year, during the peak breeding season of November to December, as many as 150,000 seals gather at Cape Cross - a dramatic and spectacular natural event. Visitors can expect to see seals at play in the surf, lazing on the sand, or nursing their pups. Cape Cross is also of great historical significance: it marks the spot where Portuguese navigator Diogo Cão erected a stone cross in 1486, establishing one of the first recorded European landfalls on the Namibian coast.

Visitor Experience

A self-guided driving route with six points of interest is available, allowing visitors to explore and better appreciate the ecological and historical importance of the reserve at their own pace. Wooden walkways lead you safely close to the seals while minimising disturbance to the animals and ensuring a comfortable experience.

Facilities & Information

• Opening Hours: Daily, 10h00 – 17h00
• Facilities: Toilets and drinking water available
• Restrictions: No pets (kennels available at the gate) and no motorcycles permitted
• Accommodation: None on-site, but Cape Cross is easily accessible from Swakopmund (120 km south), Henties Bay, and campsites in the National West Coast Recreation Area. The reserve is also conveniently located en route to the Skeleton Coast Park.

Getting There

The reserve is clearly sign posted on the C34 road, approximately 120 km north of Swakopmund. The entrance gate lies 3 km from the turnoff, with a reception area 1 km beyond the gate.