Pelican Point: Kayak with Seals Experience

At Pelican Point, the main event is wonderfully simple: you paddle out from the beach and find yourself surrounded by Cape Fur seals. Young seals may swim right up to the kayak, and some are curious enough to nose around your paddle. I like the unusual mix of transport, from catamaran to kayak to 4×4, and I like that the return drive adds context about Walvis Bay’s wildlife and salt production. The main consideration is the cold Atlantic water and the physical effort of paddling, so this is not a soft sightseeing trip.

The morning also gives you more than seals. Pelicans may greet you during the boat ride, seabirds fill the area around Pelican Point, and you might spot a black-backed jackal, dolphin, or whale. The four-hour route feels like a small coastal expedition, but people with back problems or limited mobility should choose another activity.

Key points to know before you book

• About 100,000 Cape Fur seals: You paddle near a large colony, with seals resting onshore and swimming around the kayaks.
• Three ways to see Pelican Point: The outing includes a catamaran crossing, guided kayaking, and a 4×4 return across the peninsula.
• Curious young seals: The smaller seals can approach the kayaks and may play near the paddles.
• A warm finish: Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and a light breakfast are served after the kayak trip.
• More than a boat ride home: The return drive can include explanations about coastal wildlife, salt pans, and local resources.
• Four hours and $200 per person: That price covers equipment, transfers during the activity, breakfast, and a live English-speaking guide, but not hotel pickup.

Reaching Pelican Point from Walvis Bay

Your morning begins at the Walvis Bay Waterfront, next to Anchors restaurant in the red and blue building. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to this meeting point and arrive ready for an active outing.

From there, a fast planning catamaran carries you across the protected bay toward Pelican Point. This first transfer is not just a way to get from A to B. It gives you an early look at the bird life and marine animals around Walvis Bay, and a seal or pelican may come close to the boat.

That is a good start for anyone who likes wildlife before breakfast. You are already watching the water before the kayak is unpacked, and the crossing helps you see how Pelican Point sits at the edge of the bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

The boat transfer is also worth keeping in mind if you are sensitive to cold or wind. You will want comfortable clothing and a change of clothes, even though splash suits and kayak equipment are supplied later. A hat and sunscreen are useful too, since the open water offers little shelter from the sun.

Landing on a beach beside the seal colony

At Pelican Point, you disembark directly onto the beach. A kayak camp is set up there, with storage boxes for bags and important items that should not get wet.

This camp is practical rather than fancy. Its value is that you can leave bulky or water-sensitive belongings behind before paddling. The activity does not allow luggage or large bags, so bring only what you need for the morning.

A guide gives you a safety briefing and helps you put on your kayaking gear. Splash suits are included, which matters in the cold Atlantic. You should still wear comfortable shoes and bring dry clothing for afterward.

The briefing is especially important if you have little kayaking experience. You are not simply handed a boat and sent into open water. The guide explains the setup and leads the group along the coast. Even so, you should expect to paddle and balance in a kayak, not sit in a covered sightseeing boat.

Paddling among Cape Fur seals

The kayak section is the heart of the experience. You follow your guide into the cold water near Pelican Point, where about 100,000 Cape Fur seals live, swim, and rest along the shore.

That number can sound abstract until you are close to the animals. Seals may be in the water around you while others lounge on the beach. The setting gives you a clear view of their movement without the barrier of a large boat or enclosed vehicle.

The young seals are often the most entertaining part. They can be curious about the kayaks and may approach your boat or play near your paddle. You should keep your movements calm and listen to your guide, but the close encounters are part of what makes this outing different from a standard coastal cruise.

I like the kayak because it puts you low on the water. You see the seals at their level, hear the water around the hull, and move quietly through the colony. That said, the kayak is also more exposed than the catamaran. The sea may feel cold, and you will need enough strength and comfort to paddle for part of the outing.

The experience is not built around speed or distance. The point is to stay near the coast, watch the animals, and take in the setting. Your guide leads the route and helps you focus on the wildlife rather than on navigation.

Keep your eyes open beyond the seals. Pelican Point has abundant bird life, and the open water may produce a dolphin or whale sighting. A black-backed jackal is also possible in the area. These sightings are not promised, so book this for the seal encounter first and treat other animals as welcome extras.

Warming up with drinks and breakfast

After the kayaking, you return to the beach camp cold and ready for something warm. Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate is served, along with a light breakfast.

This pause is more useful than it may sound. After time on the Atlantic, you get a chance to warm up, change if needed, and settle before the drive back. It also keeps the morning from feeling like one long physical effort.

The food is described as a light breakfast with some local cuisine, not a full restaurant meal. If you need a substantial meal early in the day, eat beforehand or plan lunch after the tour. For most people, though, the hot drink and small meal should be a welcome reset.

Returning by 4×4 across the peninsula

The return trip takes a different route. A 4×4 picks you up and drives across the peninsula, through Donkey Bay, past salt pans, and along the Walvis Bay Lagoon before returning you to the meeting point.

This is one of the best features of the outing because you do not simply retrace the morning by boat. The drive shows another side of the Walvis Bay area, including the connection between coastal wildlife and the salt industry.

The return also offers time for explanation. Hermann, who has been involved in the return drive, is noted for discussing the wildlife, coastal life, and natural resources in the area. Stops for photographs may be possible along the way, depending on the day and the route.

Think of this as a guided transfer with sightseeing rather than a separate safari. Wildlife sightings are possible, but the value lies in the added setting and commentary. By the time you return to Walvis Bay, you have seen Pelican Point from the water, the beach, and the road.

What the $200 price includes

At $200 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see seals around Walvis Bay. The price makes more sense when you count the different parts included in the four-hour outing:

• Catamaran transfer to Pelican Point
• Guided kayak trip
• Kayak and safety equipment
• Splash suit
• Storage box
• Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate
• Light breakfast
• 4×4 transfer back to Walvis Bay
• Live English-speaking guide

You are paying for a coordinated half-day experience rather than a single kayak rental. The boat crossing, equipment, guide, food, and return drive are arranged as one route, which saves you from organizing separate transfers to Pelican Point.

The value is strongest if you want several ways to see the coast and prefer a guided wildlife activity. It is weaker if you only want a short paddle or if you already have transport and equipment. Hotel pickup is not included, so add the cost and time of getting to the Waterfront.

The high rating of 5 from six recorded ratings fits the activity’s strongest points: close seal encounters, careful organization, and a return trip that adds information instead of ending abruptly at the beach.

Who will enjoy this outing most

This is a good match for active visitors who want close wildlife encounters without spending a full day at sea. You do not need to be a specialist paddler based on the information provided, but you should be comfortable with a kayak and with cold water conditions.

It suits you particularly well if you enjoy:

• Marine wildlife viewed from a small craft
• Short, guided outdoor adventures
• Birdwatching alongside a main animal encounter
• Scenic transfers that are part of the experience
• Learning about Walvis Bay’s coast and salt pans
• A morning activity that ends back in Walvis Bay

It is less suitable if you have back problems or a mobility impairment. Baby strollers, pets, luggage, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed. The activity also requires you to manage several transitions, including boarding a catamaran, stepping onto the beach, entering a kayak, and riding in a 4×4.

Families should check the operator’s current age requirements before booking, since no minimum age is given in the available details. The same applies to group size and exact departure time. Availability changes by date, so check the schedule when you reserve.

Practical preparation for the cold Atlantic

Wear comfortable shoes and bring a hat, sunscreen, and a complete change of clothes. The supplied splash suit helps, but it is sensible to prepare for spray and damp gear.

Do not bring a large bag. The storage boxes are designed for small personal items and valuables, not a full daypack or suitcase. Keep cameras and phones protected from water unless you have suitable waterproof protection.

The tour is conducted in English. If you need detailed safety instructions in another language, ask before booking. A live guide is present, and the safety briefing takes place before you launch.

The outing is four hours long, but the exact starting time depends on availability. Plan the rest of your day with some flexibility, especially if you want lunch or another activity afterward. The meeting point is central to the tour, but you must arrange your own hotel transfer.

Cancellation is forgiving: you can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Walvis Bay plans are still shifting.

The main strengths and limitations

The strongest feature is the closeness to the seals. From a kayak, you are close enough to notice the young animals’ curiosity and their interest in the paddles. The number of seals gives the outing a real sense of place, rather than making it feel like a quick animal sighting.

The second strength is the full route. The catamaran ride gives you a marine view, the kayak provides the close encounter, and the 4×4 return adds the peninsula, Donkey Bay, salt pans, and lagoon. Each section has a different purpose.

The guides also add value. The safety briefing keeps the kayak section organized, while the return commentary can connect the animals, coast, and local resources. Hermann is specifically associated with informative explanations and photo stops on the drive back.

The limitation is physical comfort. The Atlantic is cold, and paddling requires effort. You also need to handle several changes in transport and move around a beach setting. People looking for a warm, passive cruise should choose a different Walvis Bay activity.

Should you book the Pelican Point kayak tour?

Book it if you want the closest available seal encounter in a compact morning outing and like the idea of combining boat, kayak, and 4×4 travel. The young seals, bird life, and chance of dolphins or whales give the morning plenty of variety, while the hot drink and breakfast make the cold-water portion easier to manage.

Skip it if you have back or mobility problems, dislike cold water, or want hotel pickup and a completely relaxed ride. At $200, the value comes from the complete route and the included equipment, food, guides, and transfers during the activity. For an active half-day centered on Cape Fur seals, it is a strong choice from Walvis Bay.

FAQ

Where does the Pelican Point kayak tour meet?

Meet at the Walvis Bay Waterfront, next to Anchors restaurant, at the red and blue building.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts four hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What animals might I see?

You can expect to see Cape Fur seals and abundant bird life. You might also spot pelicans, a black-backed jackal, dolphins, or whales.

Are kayak equipment and splash suits included?

Yes. Kayak equipment, splash suits, and a storage box are included.

Is food provided?

Yes. After kayaking, you receive a light breakfast along with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach the Walvis Bay Waterfront meeting point yourself.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.