Sandwich Harbour Website

The Sandwich Bay is also known as Sandwich Harbor. It is located in the Erongo region of Namibia, inside the Namib-Naukluft National Park. It is a great place for birdwatching and is listed as a RAMSAR site. The wetland around the harbor is very natural and has little human activity.

This area is home to about eight endangered animal species. It is quite surprising because the area is very dry, like a desert, but you will still see large sand dunes, many archaeological sites, lagoons, and a bird sanctuary.

Sandwich Harbour 4K Video by Traveling Zam

Location of Sandwich Harbour

The harbor is on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. It is about 60 km from Walvis Bay. This distance makes it a good place for day trips if you are coming from Swakopmund.

History of Sandwich Harbour

People have lived in this area for many years. In the early days, most of the people who stayed here hunted animals and gathered fruits. There is proof that people depended a lot on seafood more than 2,000 years ago. It is believed that about 1,000 years ago, animal herders also moved into this area. In recent times, the area has been abandoned.

The port was called D’llheo by Diego Cao, who came here in 1486. By the 19th century, the harbor had become an important place for fishing and trade. It was used for whaling, processing fish, canning, and collecting bird droppings (guano). It was a very important port during the German occupation in the 1880s.

In 1890, the sandbar that protected the harbor broke. After that, the bay became too shallow for ships to dock. That is when they moved the docking area to Swakopmund and left this place to the desert.

In 1930, sand was pumped into the lagoon to create Guano Island. By 1942, the harbor had no commercial use and was made part of the Namib-Naukluft National Park.

Top Things to Do at Sandwich Harbour

It is important to use a 4×4 car when touring this area. Here are some activities and attractions to enjoy:

• Sundowner Photography Outings: A bright sunset can be seen over the Kuiseb River delta, with some chances to see local animals. You may spot springbok, oryx, and jackals. The tour includes a drive along the beach to see one of Namibia’s five RAMSAR sites.
• Visiting the Shawnee Shipwreck: This tour through the Shawnee Shipwreck lets you walk through the desert and see some wetlands from hidden viewing spots.
• Fashion Photoshoots: This special photo session lets you make great memories. There are oysters, champagne, tasty snacks, a makeup artist, and a professional photographer available.
• Scenic Tours: During these half-day trips, you can see and take photos of many birds while enjoying the desert and sea views.
• Catamaran Rides: On these boat trips along the wild coast, you can get close to many birds, and sometimes see whales and dolphins.
• Cultural Tours: The Kuiseb Delta Concession, which is four hours from Walvis Bay, gives you a look into the traditional life of the Topnaar people.
• Animals and Plants: More than 100 kinds of birds have been seen in and around the harbor. Bird-watching is very popular here. The lagoon at Sandwich Harbor is home to over 40,000 birds. If you walk along the shore, you may also see a group of seals.

Top Things to See at at Sandwich Harbour

Some of the most unusual places in the world can be found in Namibia, from the wide stretches of the Pink Salt Pan to the depths of the Fish River Canyon. Browse our travel packages to learn more about these locations and others, then start planning your trip to one of the most interesting places on earth.

Driving Through Sand Dunes

In Namibia’s Sandwich Harbour, dune bashing is an exciting off-road driving activity. It is a popular adventure activity. In a 4×4 vehicle, people drive over sand dunes, giving an exciting experience among tall dunes and great views.

The unique land of Sandwich Harbour, with its steep and uneven sand dunes, is perfect for people who enjoy dune bashing. As they climb each dune, drivers can feel the thrill of moving through the rough land. Visitors can fully enjoy this fun activity while also following safety rules and caring for the environment.

Observing Avian Species

Sandwich Harbour is a birdwatcher’s paradise because its wetlands attract many kinds of birds. There are many types of birds in the harbor, including terns, sandpipers, flamingos, and pelicans, giving bird lovers many chances to spot them.

For people interested in bird-watching, guided tours are available. These tours give helpful information about the types and behavior of the local birds.

Sandwich Harbour is especially good for bird-watching during the wet season, which runs from November to April. This is when the lagoon reaches its highest water levels and attracts more birds.

Sandwich Harbour Lagoon

Sandwich Harbour Lagoon, located in Namibia near the mouth of the Kuiseb River, is a quiet coastal place with tall sand dunes around the water. This special area is a popular spot for birdwatchers from all over the world because of the many birds, such as terns, pelicans, and flamingos.

The lagoon also has many water animals like fish, crabs, and octopuses. Visitors can enjoy activities like sandboarding and dune climbing during guided tours that show the natural beauty of the area.

Seals

Namibia’s Sandwich Harbour is known for its large Cape fur seal colony, which brings in many visitors. People can learn about the seals and watch them in their natural home through guided tours.

It is fun and interesting to watch the seals play on the beach or swim in the ocean. Visitors can also enjoy the special coastal view, with rocky shores and tall sand dunes, by joining seal-watching tours.

Seeing the seal colony at Sandwich Harbour is a memorable experience for people who love animals and nature. It shows the rich animal life of the area.

Wildlife

Sandwich Harbour in Namibia is a popular place for wildlife tours. It offers the chance to see many birds and animals in their natural homes. Guided tours give visitors the chance to see flamingos, dolphins, seals, and other sea animals living in the lagoon and nearby dunes.

People on these tours also learn about the land and behavior of other local animals like octopuses, fish, and crabs. These trips are led by experienced guides who share useful information about the area’s history, land, and culture.

Namib Desert Touring

Sandwich Harbour is in Namibia’s Namib Desert, one of the oldest deserts in the world. It has tall dunes, rocky hills, open plains, and different types of land.

Visitors can explore this special place through different tours. Sandboarding and dune climbing are popular because the sand dunes can be as high as 100 meters.

Yachts and Ships for Vacationing

Cruise ships that travel along Africa’s west coast often stop at Namibia’s Sandwich Harbour.

From the nearby port of Walvis Bay, where the ships dock, visitors can take guided tours of Sandwich Harbour and nearby sights. On these tours, guests can see local animals, tall sand dunes, and a peaceful lagoon.

A Recreational Park in Long Beach

Namibia’s Walvis Bay is a town near the famous Sandwich Harbour and is home to Long Beach Leisure Park.

Known for its great ocean views, Long Beach Leisure Park offers many outdoor activities such as windsurfing, fishing, and camping. It is a popular vacation spot for families and tourists who want a peaceful break in nature.

Flamingo Lagoon

Sandwich Harbour is not in Rhode Island, but in Namibia. It is true that the Flamingo Lagoon is one of the highlights of Sandwich Harbour, Namibia.

Located in the Namib-Naukluft National Park, Sandwich Harbour is known for its beautiful views and large number of animals, especially the many flamingos that live at Flamingo Lagoon.

The lagoon attracts birdwatchers and nature lovers from around the world and is an important nesting place for flamingos.

Visitors can enjoy many activities at Sandwich Harbour and the Flamingo Lagoon, such as sandboarding, hiking, and bird-watching.

A popular activity near the dunes is sandboarding, which means sliding down the dunes on a board.

When to Visit Sandwich Harbour

The dry winter months from June to mid-September are the best time to visit Sandwich Harbour in Namibia. The weather is cooler and there is less rain during this time, which is great for spending time outdoors.

There are also more animals to see and clearer skies, which are good for taking photos. Try to visit at sunrise if you want the best light for your pictures. At that time, the light makes long shadows on the sand dunes, creating a perfect time for photos. You can book a private tour, but it will cost more.

It is best to visit Sandwich Harbour during low tide, since the tides are very important. If you choose a guided Namibia tour, there should be no problems, because many tour companies plan around the tide times to avoid the risks of high tide.

Popular Sandwich Harbour Questions & Answers

Below are some of the most popular Sandwich Harbour questions and answers that you should know about.

• What is Sandwich Bay also called? Sandwich Bay is also called Sandwich Harbour.
• Where is Sandwich Harbour located? It is in the Erongo region of Namibia, inside the Namib-Naukluft National Park.
• Is Sandwich Harbour good for bird-watching? Yes, it is a great place for bird-watching and has many birds.
• Is Sandwich Harbour a protected area? Yes, it is listed as a RAMSAR site.
• Is the area around the harbour natural? Yes, it is very natural and has little human activity.
• Are there endangered animals at Sandwich Harbour? Yes, about eight endangered animal species live there.
• Is Sandwich Harbour in a desert? Yes, the area is very dry and part of a desert.
• What natural features can I see there? You can see large sand dunes, lagoons, and a bird sanctuary.
• How far is Sandwich Harbour from Walvis Bay? It is about 60 km from Walvis Bay.
• Can I visit from Swakopmund in one day? Yes, it is good for a day trip from Swakopmund.
• Did people live in Sandwich Harbour long ago? Yes, people lived there many years ago.
• What did early people do there? They hunted animals, gathered fruits, and ate seafood.
• Who gave the port its name? Diego Cao called it D’llheo in 1486.
• What was the harbour used for in the 1800s? It was used for fishing, whaling, and collecting bird droppings.
• Why was the port abandoned? A sandbar broke in 1890, making it too shallow for ships.
• What is Guano Island? It is an island made in 1930 by pumping sand into the lagoon.
• Is Sandwich Harbour still a working port? No, it became part of a national park in 1942.
• What kind of car should I use to visit? You should use a 4×4 car.
• What is dune bashing? It is driving a 4×4 over sand dunes for fun.
• Can I take pictures at sunset? Yes, there are sunset tours for photography.
• What birds can I see there? You can see flamingos, pelicans, terns, and more.
• When is the best time for bird-watching? From November to April during the wet season.
• Can I see seals at Sandwich Harbour? Yes, there is a large Cape fur seal colony.
• Are there boat tours? Yes, you can take catamaran rides to see sea animals.
• What is the Sandwich Harbour Lagoon? It is a quiet place with many birds and water animals.
• What animals live in the lagoon? Fish, crabs, octopuses, and birds live there.
• Can I go sandboarding there? Yes, sandboarding is a popular activity on the dunes.
• Are there cultural tours? Yes, you can learn about the Topnaar people’s way of life.
• What is the best time to visit Sandwich Harbour? June to mid-September is the best time to visit.
• Is it better to visit during low tide? Yes, low tide is safer and better for tours.