Explore: Walvis Bay
General Info
This is Namibia’s principal port and a good place from which to visit the game parks. It lies just over 300NM north of Luderitz. If planning on leaving your boat here to travel the country, note the port regulations and recommendations listed under docking below.
This is also a good spot to do a final provision before crossing the Atlantic for South America/Caribbean.
Do check our security section before venturing outside the port.
Note that fog is common here and there is a very large oil rig just off the port entrance.
Location: 22° 57’S, 14° 28.6’E.
Clearance
Call Port Control on VHF Channel 16 for permission to enter the port.
Clearing in at the port office is straightforward and easy. Call at the Port Office in front of the radar towers. Take ships papers, passports and clearance from the last port during office hours.
Clearance out is carried out at first the Customs office near the northern dock gate of the port. They will then direct you to the Immigration office.
Call Port Control for permission to leave the harbor.
Last updated: April 2016.
Docking
- The anchorage at Walvis Bay, Namibia – photo courtesy of SY Gryphon 2 Jan. 2015
The location of the Walvis Bay Yacht Club (WBYC) is not readily apparent. The anchorage area is just past the southern end of the commercial harbor.
The anchorage here is now quite restricted due to dredging, although the holding is good. There is also three meters or more depth between Pelican Point and the Yacht Club, so there is no reason to use the dredged channel or get tangled with the commercial shipping.
Be aware that sometimes the prevailing wind changes to strong winds from the NE and this creates a significant swell in the anchorage and harbor, with at times, breaking waves.
Harbor regulations require an anchor ball to be displayed and that all yachts must have a watchman on board while anchored. Be sure to appoint a watchman if leaving your boat at anchor here unattended, better still, moor your boat to a tried and tested mooring block, to prevent any problems while you are away. The Yacht Club may have a mooring available, for which there will be a charge.
The WBYC has a dock that can only be reached by dinghy. Water is available here.
It is a long walk both from the town centre and from the yacht club, however, the town is safe to walk. Beware of dogs.
Almost everything is available for visiting yachts in Walvis Bay. Repairs are easy to do as there are good mechanics and machine shops with German quality.
Port control will expect you to take the direct route to the anchorage.
The Pelicans and Seals here are king!
Last updated: April 2016.
