Pelagic Birding Excursion

For the dedicated ornithologist and birding enthusiast, the waters off Walvis Bay offer one of the most productive pelagic environments on the planet. Our specialized excursion ventures 20 to 25 nautical miles offshore where the nutrient-rich Benguela current triggers a "superabundance" of avian life.

The Masters of the Open Ocean:  Pelagic birds are marvels of biological engineering, and on this tour, we observe their unique adaptations firsthand. Witness the effortless glide of species with exceptional aspect-ratio wings designed to stay aloft for weeks at a time—even sleeping in flight.

Observe the specialized behaviors of these ocean-dwellers, from the complex salt glands that allow them to hydrate from the sea, to the diverse hunting strategies of plunge-divers, surface-skimmers, and the bold kleptoparasites that trail the local seal colonies.

The Itinerary: A Deep-Sea Journey
08:00 | Departure: We depart from the Catamaran Charters office at the Walvis Bay Waterfront, heading due West into the Atlantic.
The Transit: We pass the iconic Pelican Point and its 60,000 Cape Fur Seals while enjoying hot coffee and tea. During the two-hour transit, keep your binoculars ready for the Marine Big 5—Dolphins, Mola Mola, Leatherback Turtles, and (seasonally) Humpback and Southern Right Whales.
At about 20 Nautical Miles offshore, we enter a zone of intense biological activity. Our on-board pelagic expert will guide you through sightings that often reach a climax during the winter months (May–July) but remain spectacular year-round.

Target Species & Rarities
Navigate through dense concentrations of near-shore and true pelagic species, including:

The Great Albatrosses: Shy, Black-browed, and Yellow-nosed Albatrosses.
Petrels & Prions: White-chinned Petrels, Northern and Southern Giant Petrels, Wilson’s Storm Petrels, and Broad-billed Prions.
The Divers & Skimmers: Sooty Shearwaters, Cape Gannets, Cape Cormorants, and the aggressive Sub-Antarctic Skua.

Culinary Comfort on the High Seas
The return journey is a time to log your sightings and enjoy a premium coastal lunch. We serve fresh Namibian oysters paired with crisp sparkling wine, and a curated selection of savory morsels and pastries. Celebrate a successful morning on the water with ice-cold Namibian beer, or a range of chilled soft drinks.

13:00 | Arrival: We return to the Waterfront jetty, concluding a world-class birding experience.

Why Book This Expedition?
Expert Guidance: Our guides are specialists in pelagic identification and behavior.
Seasonal Peak: While sightings are guaranteed year-round, May through July offers a unique window into the migration of southern breeding birds.
Advanced Navigation: Our vessels are equipped with the radar and tracking technology required for safe, deep-sea excursions.

⚓ The Atlantic Frontier: Species Checklist
Catamaran Charters – Walvis Bay, Namibia

Use this guide to track your sightings as we navigate the nutrient-rich waters of the Benguela Current:

🦅 The Masters of the Wind (Albatrosses)
Known for their massive wingspans and effortless gliding.

[ ] Shy Albatross (Thalassarche cauta)
[ ] Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris)
[ ] Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross (Thalassarche chlororhynchos)

🌊 The Deep-Sea Specialists (Petrels & Shearwaters)
Often seen following the wake or skimming the wave troughs.

[ ] White-chinned Petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis)
[ ] Southern Giant Petrel (Macronectes giganteus)
[ ] Northern Giant Petrel (Macronectes halli)
[ ] Sooty Shearwater (Ardenna grisea)
[ ] Wilson’s Storm Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus)
[ ] Broad-billed Prion (Pachyptila vittata)
[ ] Sub-Antarctic Skua (Catharacta antarctica)

🏖️ Coastal & Near-Shore Icons
Commonly sighted between the Waterfront and Pelican Point.

[ ] Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus)
[ ] Cape Gannet (Morus capensis)
[ ] Cape Cormorant (Phalacrocorax capensis)
[ ] Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus)
[ ] Hartlaub’s Gull (Chroicocephalus hartlaubii)

🐋 The Marine Big 5 & Friends
Beyond the birds, keep an eye on the water's surface for these legends.

[ ] Common Bottlenose Dolphin
[ ] Heaviside’s Dolphin (Endemic to the Benguela ecosystem)
[ ] Dusky Dolphin (Look for the acrobatic leaps!)
[ ] Cape Fur Seal (60,000+ residents at the Point)
[ ] Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola)
[ ] Leatherback Sea Turtle
[ ] Humpback Whale (July – November)
[ ] Southern Right Whale (July – November)

📝 Expedition Notes
Location: 20–25 Nautical Miles West of Walvis Bay
Best Viewing: Use the transit time (the first 2 hours) to scan for Dolphins and Mola, and the Shelf time for the Albatross and Petrels.
Pro Tip: Look for "bird boils" on the surface—these often indicate predatory fish or mammals pushing baitfish to the top!