Birds of Walvis Bay: A Birdwatching Guide
Walvis Bay is one of the best places for birdwatching in southern Africa. The lagoon, the salt pans and the coast around town attract enormous numbers of birds, from flocks of flamingos and pelicans to rare shorebirds and migrants that fly here from the Arctic every year.
Whether you’re a keen birder with a checklist or just enjoy watching flamingos from the promenade, this guide covers what to look for, where to go and when to visit.
Why Walvis Bay Is So Good for Birds
The Walvis Bay lagoon is a Ramsar site, a wetland of international importance, and one of the most important coastal wetlands in Africa. Its shallow water and mudflats are rich in tiny organisms, fed by the nutrient-rich Benguela Current. Together with the salt pans and the sheltered bay, it supports tens of thousands of birds, and many more in the summer migration season.
Birds to Look For
Flamingos
The star attraction. Both greater and lesser flamingos feed in the lagoon and salt pans all year, often in their thousands.
Read more: The lagoon and flamingos | Flamingo season
Pelicans
Great white pelicans are a common sight on the lagoon and around the harbour. At the Waterfront, they often glide in close to the boats, and some follow the dolphin cruises out into the bay.
Cormorants
Several species of cormorant live along this coast, including the Cape cormorant, which gathers in huge flocks. Look for them on the water, flying low over the bay in long lines, and resting on the guano platform known as Bird Island along the coast road to Swakopmund.
Terns and Gulls
Look out for Caspian terns, swift terns and Hartlaub’s and kelp gulls. The Damara tern is a special find. This small tern breeds on the gravel plains along the Namibian coast and is found in very few places in the world.
Shorebirds and Waders
The mudflats and salt pans are full of smaller birds, including:
- Chestnut-banded plovers: A specialty of the region, and Walvis Bay is one of the best places to see them
- White-fronted plovers
- Pied avocets and black-winged stilts
- African black oystercatchers: Look for their bright red bills along the shore
Summer Migrants
From around October to April, thousands of waders arrive from the northern hemisphere, some flying all the way from the Arctic. Look for curlew sandpipers, little stints, sanderlings, ruddy turnstones, grey plovers, bar-tailed godwits and whimbrels.
Where to Go Birdwatching
- The lagoon promenade: An easy, flat walk with some of the best flamingo and wader viewing in town.
- The road to the salt works: Drive south past the lagoon to the salt pans, where flamingos and waders feed in the shallow ponds. Read about the salt pans
- Bird Paradise: A small bird sanctuary on the edge of town, with a viewing point over the water.
- Pelican Point and Sandwich Harbour: 4×4 tours to these areas pass excellent birding spots. Pelican Point | Sandwich Harbour
- On the water: A morning boat cruise from the Waterfront is a great way to see pelicans, cormorants, terns and gulls up close.
Book a cruise: Catamaran Charters | Mola Mola Safaris
When to Go
Time of year: Walvis Bay is good for birds all year. The summer months, from around October to April, bring the most species, when the migrant waders arrive.
Time of day: Early morning and late afternoon are best. The light is soft and the birds are active.
Tides: Around low tide, birds feed on the exposed mudflats, and they often gather closer to the shore as the tide rises.
Birdwatching Tips
- Bring binoculars, and a spotting scope if you have one
- Move slowly and keep your distance so the birds keep feeding
- Never chase or flush flocks for photos
- Dress in layers, as it’s often cool and windy by the water
- Take a field guide or a birding app to help identify waders
Make a Day of It
Start with coffee at La Vida Coffee House, take a morning cruise on the bay, and walk the lagoon promenade in the afternoon. Finish with a sundowner at Pirates Wreck Sports Bar & Grill or dinner at Anchors Restaurant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What birds can you see in Walvis Bay?
Flamingos, great white pelicans, cormorants, terns, gulls and many kinds of shorebirds, including chestnut-banded plovers and, in summer, thousands of migrant waders.
When is the best time for birdwatching in Walvis Bay?
Birding is good all year, but the summer months from around October to April bring the most species.
Where is the best place to see birds in Walvis Bay?
The lagoon promenade is the easiest spot. The salt pans, Bird Paradise and a boat cruise on the bay are also excellent.
Do I need a guide?
No, the lagoon promenade is easy to explore on your own. A guided tour or boat trip can help you find and identify more species.
Back to: Walvis Bay wildlife through the seasons | Attractions Around Walvis Bay