After the Rössing National Marathon: Walvis Bay Cruise

The Route: Swakopmund → Walvis Bay → Swakopmund Logistics: The cruise leaves from the Walvis Bay Waterfront jetty. Transfers are not included in the boat price, so book a private car or ask the operator to arrange one for a small extra fee. Marathon Month: March Duration: Day trip

Swakopmund ──(short drive south by the coast road)──> Walvis Bay Waterfront ──(3.5 hours by boat)──> Pelican Point ──> Walvis Bay ──> Swakopmund

The marathon finishes on a Saturday, which leaves Sunday for the water. A boat is the kindest thing you can do to your quads. You sit, you hold a hot drink, and someone else does the moving.

March in Walvis Bay. The Namibian coast is cool and often misty in March, with very little rain. At Pelican Point the mean daily maximum is about 20°C and the minimum about 15°C. The operator provides woollen blankets and recommends warm clothing, sunblock and a hat, and the wind off the water is cooler than it feels on shore. Whales are usually seen between July and November, so March is not a whale-watching month. Seals, dolphins and seabirds are the draw.

Getting there and back

Check in at 08:30 for a 09:00 departure from the Walvis Bay Waterfront jetty. The boat returns at about 12:30. The weekday commuter shuttle between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay does not run at weekends, so book a private car or a transfer with the operator. Ask your hotel for a driver the evening before, and agree a return time.

The cruise

The boat passes oyster farms on the way out, then heads for Pelican Point, a sand spit about 2 km long that shelters the harbour, with a lighthouse and a large seal colony. The operator puts the Cape fur seal count at 50,000 to 60,000. Bottlenose, Heaviside's and dusky dolphins are regular visitors. Mola (sunfish) and leatherback turtles have been sighted but are never guaranteed, and pelicans, cormorants and gulls follow the boat.

Hot coffee and tea are served at the start, and a lunch stop on board offers fresh Namibian oysters, sparkling wine, snacks and pastries. Soft drinks and water are included. The adult price for 2026 was N$1,450, with children aged 4 to 12 at N$800, so confirm the current rate. Wear flat shoes, because the deck can be wet. Tell the operator in advance if you need physical assistance, and mention any food allergy at the time of booking.

Lunch and the afternoon

The on-board oysters are lunch for most. If you want a proper meal, eat at a waterfront restaurant in Walvis Bay or drive back to Swakopmund for a late lunch at Café Anton or the Strand Hotel. The afternoon is for a long, slow walk along the Mole in Swakopmund, which is level and close to the finish venue.

Getting home

You are back in Swakopmund by mid-afternoon. If you fly out from Walvis Bay the same day, leave a generous gap, because the airport is outside the town and boat departures can shift with weather.

Practical notes