The History of Walvis Bay, Namibia
Walvis Bay has one of the richest histories on the Namibian coast. Its sheltered natural harbour has drawn explorers, whalers, traders and empires for more than five centuries, and the story of the town is really the story of its harbour.
This guide gives an overview of Walvis Bay’s past, with links to more detailed articles on each chapter.
Before the Explorers
Long before European ships arrived, the coast and the nearby Kuiseb River were home to local communities, including the Topnaar (≠Aonin) people, who have lived along the Kuiseb for generations and still live in the area today.
The Portuguese Explorers
In the late 1480s, the Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias sailed into the bay on his voyage down the African coast. It was one of the first recorded European visits to the Namibian coast.
The Whaling Years
By the 1700s, the bay was a well-known stop for whaling ships, drawn by the whales that fed in the rich coastal waters. The name Walvis Bay comes from this period: walvis means “whale” in Dutch and Afrikaans.
A British Enclave
In 1878, Britain claimed Walvis Bay and a small area around it, and the territory was later made part of the Cape Colony. When Germany colonised the rest of what is now Namibia a few years later, Walvis Bay stayed British. This is one reason the Germans developed Swakopmund as their own port just up the coast.
Under South African Control
After the Union of South Africa was formed, Walvis Bay became part of South Africa. For much of the 20th century it was administered together with the surrounding territory, but its status remained separate.
When Namibia became independent in 1990, South Africa kept Walvis Bay. After several years of negotiations, the town was finally reintegrated into Namibia in 1994.
Walvis Bay Today
Today, Walvis Bay is Namibia’s main port and a centre for fishing, shipping, salt production and tourism. The harbour has grown to include modern container facilities, and the Waterfront at the Light Craft Harbour has become one of the town’s favourite places to eat, shop and set out on the water.
Historic Sights to Look For
- The Rhenish Mission Church: One of the oldest buildings in Walvis Bay, dating from the 1880s.
- Pelican Point Lighthouse: Built in the early 1930s to guide ships into the bay. Read more about Pelican Point
- The harbour itself: Walk around the Waterfront to see working fishing boats alongside tour boats and yachts.
Explore more: Walvis Bay Travel Guide | Attractions Around Walvis Bay