Dolphin Catamaran Cruise & Sandwich Harbour 7-hour Tour

Watch dolphins bow-ride and seals swim alongside your catamaran, then drive the dunes where sand meets sea.

A full-day tour from Swakopmund that pairs a catamaran cruise in Walvis Bay with a dune drive through Sandwich Harbour. The morning catamaran departs at 08:30, taking you to Pelican Point to see a 50,000-strong Cape Fur Seal colony and dolphins. Sparkling wine, oysters and snacks are served on board. After returning to the waterfront, a guide drives you south along the shore and into the Namib Naukluft Park, where you travel the narrow beach strip where dunes meet sea, spot wildlife including oryx and ostrich, and stop for a light lunch at a viewpoint in the dunes. The tour runs about seven hours total and includes pickup from your Swakopmund accommodation.

Step-by-step itinerary

Catamaran cruise and Sandwich Harbour tour

• Pickup from Swakopmund accommodation
• Board catamaran at Waterfront
• Catamaran cruise to lighthouse and seal colony
• Watch dolphins and enjoy snacks with sparkling wine
• Return to Waterfront and meet Sandwich Harbour guide
• Dune drive through Nara Valley and past Pink Salt Lakes
• Stop at viewpoints and short dune walks
• Light lunch with local beverages in dunes
• Game drive spotting wildlife like Oryx and Ostrich
• Return to Walvis Bay and drop off at hotel or cruise liner

The experience

The catamaran leaves the Swakopmund waterfront at 08:30 and returns around 12:00, giving you roughly three and a half hours on the water. The boat heads out to Pelican Point, where you'll watch the massive seal colony from the sea (the animals swim and play around the hull), and look for dolphins riding the bow. On good days the crew spots sunfish and, during whaling season, whales. Pelicans often fly close overhead. Snacks, sparkling wine and fresh oysters are served on board. Allow about twenty minutes for boarding and disembarking before the catamaran leaves the dock.

Once back at the waterfront around midday, your guide meets you and drives south toward Sandwich Harbour. You'll pass the Pink Salt lakes of the salt mine, then head onto the shore and travel 60 kilometres along the beach. The route takes you through the Namib Naukluft Park and along the "Lange Wand": the narrow strip of beach where the towering dunes of Sandwich Harbour meet the sea. Tide matters here, so timing is built into the drive. You'll stop at viewpoints for short walks and scan the desert for wildlife: oryx, ostrich, springbok, jackals and a wide range of seabirds including flamingos, pelicans, avocets and terns. A light lunch and local beverages are served at a spot along the route before you head back along the beach to Walvis Bay and return to your hotel or cruise ship.

The tour includes pickup from your Swakopmund accommodation, an air-conditioned vehicle for the dune drive, bottled water, coffee and tea, lunch, alcoholic beverages, and a restroom on the catamaran. Your guide speaks English or German. The full day runs approximately seven hours from pickup to drop-off.

What’s included

• Pickup from your Swakopmund accommodation.
• catamaran cruise with sparkling wine, fresh oysters and snacks.
• light lunch and local beverages during the dune drive.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the Sandwich Harbour portion.
• bottled water, coffee and tea throughout the day.
• a guide fluent in English or German.
• parking fees.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30Last departure this season: 31 Dec

Book up to6h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (under 13)

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish and German

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 19 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Pelican Dolphin Cruises

Is this one for you?The seven-hour commitment means you'll need most of a day, but the split between water and dunes gives you variety within a single booking (catamaran in the morning, dunes in the afternoon) rather than choosing between them.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 13).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What time does the catamaran leave and when does it return?

The catamaran departs the Swakopmund waterfront at 08:30 and returns around 12:00, giving you roughly three and a half hours on the water before the dune drive begins.

Will I actually see dolphins and seals on the catamaran?

Dolphins regularly ride the bow of the boat, and you'll see the Cape Fur Seal colony (around 50,000 strong) swimming and playing around the vessel at Pelican Point. On good days you may also spot sunfish and, during whaling season, whales.

What wildlife might I see during the dune drive through Sandwich Harbour?

The dune drive takes you through the Namib Naukluft Park where you can spot oryx, ostrich, springbok and jackals on land, plus a wide range of seabirds including flamingos, pelicans, avocets and terns along the shore and salt lakes.

Is lunch included, and what kind of food is served?

Yes, a light lunch is included and served at a viewpoint along the dune drive route, accompanied by local beverages. Sparkling wine, fresh oysters and snacks are also served during the catamaran cruise.

Does the tour include pickup from my hotel in Swakopmund?

Yes, pickup from your Swakopmund accommodation is included. You'll be collected and returned to your hotel or cruise ship at the end of the day.