Pelican Point: Kayak with Seals Experience

Seal pups may paddle right up to your kayak. That is what makes this Pelican Point trip special: you leave Walvis Bay by catamaran, paddle beside Cape fur seals, and return across Namibia’s striking coastal terrain. I like the close animal contact and the clever mix of boat, kayak, and 4×4 travel. The main drawback is the cold Atlantic water, plus the lack of hotel pickup and drop-off.

The tour also gives you more than a short paddle. You get birdlife, a chance of seeing whales or dolphins, and perhaps a black-backed jackal. The return route across Donkey Bay, salt pans, and Walvis Bay Lagoon adds useful context about the coast, especially when the guide explains the wildlife and local resources.

At $200 per person for four hours, this is not a cheap morning outing. Still, the price covers several moving parts: the catamaran transfer, kayak and safety equipment, a guide, a light breakfast, and a 4×4 journey back to Walvis Bay. If getting close to seals is high on your Namibia wish list, the package offers good value.

Key points at a glance

• About 100,000 Cape fur seals: Pelican Point is home to a huge colony, with seals swimming near the kayaks and resting along the shore.
• A three-part coastal adventure: The morning combines a quick catamaran crossing, guided kayaking, and a 4×4 return through the peninsula and lagoon area.
• Young seals can be very curious: They may approach the kayak and even play around the paddle, creating close encounters without leaving the water.
• Wildlife goes beyond seals: Pelicans and other birds are part of the boat transfer, while whales, dolphins, and a black-backed jackal are possible sightings.
• Warm up after paddling: Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate and a light breakfast are waiting at the beach camp.
• Plan for cold and movement: Splash suits and kayak equipment are provided, but you should bring a change of clothes and avoid this trip if you have serious back or mobility concerns.

Meeting at Walvis Bay Waterfront

Your morning begins at the Walvis Bay Waterfront, next to Anchors restaurant, at the red and blue building. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to this meeting point.

That detail matters in Walvis Bay. The experience is only four hours long, and the schedule likely works best when you arrive ready and on time. Bring only what you need. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, while a storage box at the beach camp is provided for smaller valuables and personal items.

Wear comfortable shoes for the transfer and beach setup. A hat, sunscreen, and spare clothes are sensible choices. The supplied information specifically recommends a change of clothes, and that is good advice for a morning on the cold Atlantic, even with a splash suit.

Crossing the bay by catamaran

The first ride is a quick planing catamaran transfer across the protected bay area toward Pelican Point. This is not just a shuttle from one dock to another. The boat ride begins the wildlife viewing before you even reach the kayaks.

A seal may come alongside the boat, and pelicans can gather near the route. This early encounter helps you see how closely the water, birds, and seal colony are linked. It also gives you a quick look at Walvis Bay from the water rather than from the road.

The ride is short, so you should not treat it as a full sightseeing cruise. Its value is practical and atmospheric: it gets you to the peninsula quickly while giving you a chance to spot animals before the main activity.

Pelican Point and the seal colony

At Pelican Point, you disembark directly onto the beach. The beach camp is set up with what the operator calls a kayak glam-camp arrangement, including storage boxes for bags and important items you do not want near the water.

The setting is simple but useful. You can leave nonessential belongings safely stored, get changed, and prepare for the paddle without carrying a daypack into the kayak. Since large bags are not allowed, pack lightly from the start rather than arriving with luggage and hoping to find space.

Pelican Point is known for its very large Cape fur seal colony, estimated here at about 100,000 animals. You may see seals on shore, but the main appeal is being on the water with them. Some swim around the kayaks, while others rest on the beach or in the shallows.

The youngest seals can be especially entertaining. Close encounters may include curious pups circling your kayak or reaching toward the paddle. That gives you an unusual view of seal behavior, but you still need to follow the guide’s instructions and allow the animals room to move.

The sheer number of seals also changes the feel of the outing. This is not a carefully staged encounter with one trained animal. You are visiting a working wild colony, with animals moving, calling, swimming, and resting around you. That makes the experience feel more natural, though it also means sightings are not fully controlled.

Getting ready for the Atlantic

Before you launch, the guide gives a safety briefing and helps you with the kayak gear. Kayaks, splash suits, and the required equipment are included in the price.

The splash suit is important because the water is cold, and a kayak paddle can send spray across your hands and clothing. Still, do not rely on the suit as your only protection. Bring sunscreen, a hat, comfortable shoes, and dry clothes for afterward.

You should also take the physical demands seriously. The activity is not suitable for people with back problems or mobility impairments. Kayaking requires repeated upper-body movement, and getting into or out of a kayak on a beach can be awkward. If you are unsure about your ability, ask the operator before booking.

The supplied information does not give a minimum age, group size, or exact kayak style. Those details can affect comfort, so ask Mola Mola Safaris directly if they matter to your plans.

Paddling beside Cape fur seals

Once you set out with your guide, the main experience begins. You paddle along the coast near Pelican Point, keeping the kayak close enough to see seals in the water and onshore without turning the outing into a race.

The guide’s presence is valuable here. You are not simply handed a kayak and sent off among the animals. The briefing helps you understand how to handle the boat, and the guide leads the route while pointing out the local wildlife.

You may see birds around the peninsula, including the pelicans spotted during the transfer. Keep looking beyond the seals. Whales and dolphins are possible, though they are not promised, and a black-backed jackal may appear along the shore. These possibilities add interest without changing the fact that the seal colony is the main event.

The water conditions and animal behavior will shape your morning. Some moments may be lively, with young seals close to the boat. Other stretches may feel quieter as you paddle and watch animals at rest. That variety is part of a wildlife outing, so do not expect constant action from start to finish.

A useful mindset is to treat the paddle as a guided nature visit, not a hard workout. The focus is on observing the colony and the coast. You will likely get more from slowing down, listening to the guide, and watching the water than from trying to cover a large distance.

Breakfast beside the beach

After the kayak portion, you return to the camp for a hot drink and food. Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate is included, along with a light breakfast.

This small meal has real practical value. The Atlantic can leave you cold and hungry, and a hot drink gives you time to warm up before the return journey. The food is described as a light breakfast with local cuisine, rather than a full restaurant meal, so you may want to eat something before the tour if you need a substantial breakfast.

The pause also breaks up the morning. You are not pushed straight from kayak to vehicle. You have a chance to change clothes, collect your stored items, and settle down after the water.

Returning by 4×4 across the peninsula

The trip back to the meeting point takes a different route. A 4×4 vehicle carries you across the peninsula, Donkey Bay, salt pans, and Walvis Bay Lagoon.

This return is one of the stronger features of the package because it shows you a side of the area that you would miss if the tour simply retraced the boat route. The coastal setting shifts from open water and seals to broad salt-producing areas, lagoon views, and the connected habitats around Walvis Bay.

The ride is also used for interpretation. One guide named in the experience feedback is Hermann, whose return drive included explanations of the wildlife, natural relationships, coastal life, and resources taken from the area. Photo stops were also part of that return for some outings.

Do not think of the 4×4 as only transport. It gives the four-hour trip a better sense of place. You begin by looking at the coast from a boat, spend the central portion at sea level in a kayak, then finish by road with views across the peninsula and lagoon.

The drawback is that the itinerary moves quickly. You are fitting three transport styles, kayaking, breakfast, and wildlife viewing into one morning. If you want a slow, unhurried coastal day, a longer private outing may suit you better.

What the $200 price buys you

At $200 per person, the cost is significant for a four-hour activity. The value comes from the range of services rather than the length alone.

Your price includes:

• Catamaran transfer to Pelican Point
• Guided kayak experience
• Kayak equipment
• Splash suit
• Storage box
• Light breakfast
• Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate
• 4×4 return to Walvis Bay Waterfront

You are paying for a guided wildlife experience with several types of transport and safety equipment. You also avoid arranging separate boat and road transfers to reach Pelican Point, which would be difficult to organize independently.

The price is easier to justify if your priority is close seal viewing. The kayaks place you at water level, and the young seals may approach with a curiosity that is hard to match from a larger sightseeing boat. It is less compelling if you mainly want a general Walvis Bay tour or a long kayaking session.

The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability when choosing a date.

Who should book this Pelican Point outing?

I would recommend this trip to you if you enjoy wildlife, can handle a few hours of active movement, and like tours that combine several experiences in one morning. It suits visitors who want close seal encounters but also appreciate birds, coastal scenery, and a guide’s explanation of the area.

It is particularly appealing for photographers, though you should protect your camera from spray and keep your setup manageable. The seals may come close, but wildlife never follows a script, so patience matters more than expensive equipment.

This is also a good choice if you have limited time in Walvis Bay. The boat ride, paddle, breakfast, and 4×4 return make efficient use of a morning.

I would think twice if you have back problems, limited mobility, or dislike cold water. The splash suit helps, but it does not remove the physical effort or the chill. The experience also does not include hotel pickup, so you need to manage your own arrival at the waterfront.

Pets, baby strollers, large bags, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed. Those restrictions are straightforward, but they reinforce the point that you should arrive with a small, practical set of belongings.

Should you book it?

Book the Pelican Point kayak experience if your main goal is to get unusually close to a large Cape fur seal colony from the water. The curious young seals, catamaran approach, hot breakfast, and informative 4×4 return create a fuller outing than the price and four-hour duration might first suggest.

Skip it if you want a relaxed sightseeing ride, cannot manage kayaking, or need hotel transport included. For most active visitors staying near Walvis Bay, this is a strong wildlife choice, and the perfect morning may include a seal beside the catamaran, another nudging the kayak paddle, and Hermann explaining the coast on the way home.

FAQ

Where does the Pelican Point kayak tour meet?

The meeting point is at Walvis Bay Waterfront, next to Anchors restaurant, at the red and blue building.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

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

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts four hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

What is included in the price?

The price includes kayak equipment, splash suits, a storage box, a light breakfast, and coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $200 per person.

What wildlife might I see?

You may see Cape fur seals, pelicans, and other birdlife. Whales, dolphins, and a black-backed jackal are also possible sightings, but they are not guaranteed.

Do I need to bring special clothing?

Bring comfortable shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and a change of clothes. Splash suits and kayak equipment are provided.

Is the activity suitable for people with back problems or mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not suitable for people with back problems or mobility impairments.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.