Pelican Point Lodge: Our full report
Pelican Point Lodge stands near the end of a long, flat peninsula of sand (known as Pelican Point) which ...
... stretches into the South Atlantic Ocean and protects the port of Walvis Bay. It's in an amazing location; see our satellite image. It's very exposed to the elements, but in a rich area for marine life and very close to a Cape fur seal colony.The Lodge stands right next to the iconic Pelican Point Lighthouse: a 35-metre high black-and-white tower which is still working and used by local seafarers. This was built in 1932, and the adjacent harbour control building has been renovated and become Pelican Point Lodge.
The isolated setting, 32km from Walvis Bay, gives it a feeling of real seclusion. Pelican Point Lodge offers very comfortable accommodation amidst the beautiful scenery and prolific marine wildlife of the protected habitat of Walvis Bay, home to thousands of Cape fur seals.
As Pelican Point Lodge opened only recently, and whilst most of the Expert Africa team have been to Pelican Point to go kayaking from there, none of us have had the chance to visit the lodge yet. Here is the information about Pelican Point Lodge, written by the team behind it:
There are nine spacious suites, including the Captain’s Cove Suite, at Pelican Point Lodge. All of them come with a king-size bed, a sitting area, a hair dryer, gowns and slippers, a telephone, an iPhone charger, a clock and a private deck with blankets.
Each of the eight individually decorated suites has got two wash basins, bedside lamps, a dressing table, a safe and mostly two showers. From each private balcony, you can watch hundreds of seals and sometimes also dolphins, whales and mola-mola (ocean sunfish). These eight suites are warmly-lit and dominated by hues of brown and beige, which forms a nice contrast to the rough sea and windy beaches just outside the windows.
Located in the former harbour control tower, the Captain’s Cove Suite offers spectacular 360° views of Atlantic Ocean’s beaches on one side and the Lagoon of Walvis Bay on the other. Unlike the other suites at Pelican Point Lodge the Captain’s Cove Suite is fitted with a shower and a bath. You will find the king-size bed, armchairs, wash basins and bath all in one large room. You can enjoy lovely views of the windy sea and beaches beneath you, while staying in a cosy, very stylishly furnished room dominated by warm colours like red, brown and orange.
The common areas at Pelican Point Lodge include a lounge, a fireplace, a deck area and a secure, on-site car park.
Activities at Pelican Point Lodge naturally involve around marine wildlife and the coastal landscape. Kayaking with seals, dolphin cruises, watching Cape fur seals, jackals, dolphins, porpoise, sharks, whales and mola-mola can introduce you to marine wildlife here. Watch the seals’ colonies on a walk to the Peninsula Point or the old Jetty.
The area is also excellent for birdwatching. Great flocks of damara terns, cormorants, flamingos and pelicans can be seen nearby.
Please note that most of the activities offered by Pelican Point Lodge will be subject to an extra charge. (NB: It’s essential that you read the Quadbike warning in the ‘Health & Safety’ section below for our comments on insurance issues regarding this activity.)
Our view
Pelican Point Lodge is exceedingly isolated with panoramic views of ocean all around. So don’t even think about using this as a quick stop-over, or eating out in the evening; but do expect fog on some mornings, and sometimes a bracing breeze. Some will find this location exhilarating; others may find it intimidating – we love it, but are mindful that it won’t suit everyone.
Country manager: Namibia
Geographics
- Location
- Swakopmund & Walvis Bay, Namibia
- Directions
- Pelican Point Lodge is located at the end of the peninsula that form the Walvis Bay Lagoon, Walvis Bay is around 300km due west of Windhoek, as the crow flies.
- Accessible by
- Self-drive
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Half Board
- Food quality
- Pelican Point Lodge itself describes its cuisine as ‘wholesome, unpretentious yet sophisticated, […]paired with excellent local and South African wines’.
A dinner of three nicely arranged courses is served daily, depending on the weather either in the dining room or on the deck. A light lunch is available on request. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Breakfast can be served in the dining room, on the deck or in the privacy of your room.
Breakfast packs, picnic lunches or sundowners can be arranged to take on a walk to the Peninsula Point or the old Jetty. A 24-hour room service is available. - Drinks included
- Complimentary tea/coffee/soft drinks and water
Special interests
- Birdwatching
- Pelican Point Lodge is a secluded base for part of a Namibia birdwatching holiday. Come for flocks of sea-birds, including damara terns, cormorants and pelicans – and nearby perhaps flamingos in the protected Walvis Bay Wetlands.
- See ideas for Birdwatching
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children of all ages are welcome. However, Pelican Point Lodge can only accommodate two children sharing at a time.
- Notes
- Children aged four years or under stay for free; children’s rates apply to children aged four to 12.
Communications
- Communications
- There is a wireless internet hotspot at Pelican Point Lodge. Each suite possesses a telephone and an (old-style) iPhone charger.
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- No
- Medical care
Quadbike warning: quad-biking is sometimes available as an activity in this area. As with any potentially dangerous activity, it’s vital that you take responsibility for ensuring that you have adequate travel insurance prior to getting involved. Be aware that some insurances cover quad-bike activities only for bikes with lower engine ratings: check such clauses particularly carefully before you get on a bike.- Dangerous animals
- Low Risk
- Fire safety
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Dune-boarding
Fishing
Kayaking
Mountain biking
Quad-biking
Extras
- Disabled access
- Laundry facilities
- A laundry service is available.
- Money
- Each of Pelican Point Lodge’s suites has got a safe.
- Accepted payment on location
- You can either pay by Visa card or cash with N$ at Pelican Point Lodge.
Other lodges in Swakopmund & Walvis Bay
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Cornerstone Guesthouse
Cornerstone Guesthouse is a small friendly B&B in a peaceful residential area. It's just a short walk from Swkopmund's waterfront & amenities.
Sam's Giardino
Welcoming, professionally run, and mildly eccentric, Sam’s Giardino lifts the level of hospitality in Swakopmund to unusual heights.
Strand Hotel
One of the larger hotels in Swakopmund, the Strand is well-placed on the seafront with good access to restaurants and the centre of town.
The Stiltz
Not your typical guesthouse, The Stiltz occupies a glorious location over the Swakop River on the edge of Swakopmund.
Villa Margherita
Villa Margherita is a beautifully renovated B&B in the heart of Swakopmund, with comfortable, well-appointed rooms, and friendly and attentive staff.
Beach Lodge
Right on the sea front, Beach Lodge offers good standard accommodation and its own restaurant, 15 minutes’ drive from Swakopmund.
Lagoon Lodge
Lagoon Lodge is a quirky little guesthouse located right on the edge of Walvis Bay Lagoon, a good spot for watching the flamingoes that frequent the area.
The Delight
Colourful and contemporary in style, The Delight is a relatively large hotel within a short walk of Swakopmund's waterfront, restaurants and main attractions.
Swakopmund G'house
Swakopmund Guesthouse is a family-run B&B, boasting comfortable and high-quality rooms with a maritime touch.
Brigadoon
In a quiet residential location, Brigadoon is conveniently located for the Swakopmund waterfront and amenities.
Sandfields Guesthouse
Friendly Sandfields guesthouse is a cosy and inviting place to stay just north of Swakopmund town centre, and is particularly suitable for families with children.
Hansa Hotel
With a very central location in Swakopmund, the traditional Hansa Hotel is reliably good, though it is quite formal.
Secret Garden
Secret Garden Guesthouse is well located in the centre of Swakopmund not far from the sea. With a seaside feel, it has its own small restaurant and bar.
Sea Breeze
Just north of Swakopmund, the delightful Sea Breeze Guesthouse is bright and well-looked after with welcoming and helpful owners.
Organic Square
Organic Square is a modern guesthouse across two properties in the centre of Swakopmund.
Desert Breeze
Not your typical Swakopmund guesthouse, Desert Breeze occupies a glorious location overlooking the Swakop River and the desert beyond.
Cornerstone Apartments
Cornerstone Guesthouse’s three self-catering apartments, each in its own unique location, work well for families or groups of travellers seeking space & privacy within a comfortable, contemporary setting.
Intermezzo
In a quiet residential area just north of the town centre, Intermezzo Guesthouse is a comfortable and bright place to stay while in Swakopmund.
Oyster Box Guesthouse
Oyster Box Guesthouse is a small, modern and comfortable B&B, overlooking Walvis Bay Lagoon.
Zum Kaiser Hotel
Hotel Zum Kaiser (formerly Swakopmund Boutique Hotel) is fairly large by Swakopmund standards, but has a good location in the centre of town, near to the beach.
Namib Guesthouse
The Namib Guesthouse is a small, modern B&B, set in Swakopmund's peaceful Kramersdorf area. It's just a short walk from the coast and many amenities.
Pearls Beach Pods
With a beachfront location, superb sea views and easy access to the amenities of Swakopmund, The Pearls Beach Pods combine privacy with a high standard of luxury.
