29/01/2026
See next post for some further comment
Sands of Change at Pelican Point
Walvis Bay's iconic Pelican Point Peninsula is much more than just a sandy stretch of land. This natural sand spit acts as a crucial shield, protecting the busy international port from the powerful swells of the South Atlantic Ocean and creating the calm waters needed for trade along the coast. But beyond its economic importance, Pelican Point is a vital haven for wildlife, home each year to up to 100 000 Cape fur seals and thousands of seabirds including terns, cormorants, and flamingos.
According to Damian Schreiber, Marine Conservation Communications and Field Officer for Ocean Conservation Namibia, the peninsula is a living landscape, constantly shaped by nature's forces. The Benguela Current and strong south-westerly winds carry sand and sediment from the Orange River mouth and southern Namibian coast, depositing it at Pelican Point where it is trapped and reshaped by local winds, currents, and ocean swells.
“Satellite images from 2008 to 2025 reveal the peninsula's remarkable transformation over 17 years. The western side, near Pelican Point Lodge, has eroded by roughly 185 metres, about 11 metres per year, while the northern tip has extended some 474 metres to the northeast, growing about 28 metres annually”, Schreiber told the Namib Times and continued, “this dynamic growth has not been without challenges. The Pelican Point lighthouse, built in 1932 at the tip of the spit, gradually lost its position as the land shifted. Before satellite navigation was widely used, this caused confusion for ships and resulted in at least 15 vessels running aground, mostly fishing trawlers. The peninsula is expected to continue stretching northeast toward the mainland. In several hundred years, this could potentially close off Walvis Bay from the open ocean - a scenario with serious implications for both the port and local marine eco-systems.”
According to Schreiber, more immediately, the peninsula may break apart into one or two islands as narrow sections become increasingly flooded by large ocean swells. This natural fragmentation could create new island habitats, offering seabirds safe breeding grounds free from land predators. Pelican Point is a vivid example of Namibia's natural heritage in action, a place where shifting sands support not only economic lifelines but also vital ecosystems that nurture wildlife and balance the coastal environment.
By Eileen van der Schyff
