Paddling with Seals, Pelicans & Pink
If you ever find yourself in Walvis Bay, or the nearby town of Swakopmund, I would highly recommend you join Jeanne, of Eco Marine Kayak Tours, on one of her early morning excursions with the seals at Pelican Point. Jeanne has been running these trips for many years now and this is amply evident in her knowledge of the area and its inhabitants, as well as the smoothly professional manner in which the morning unfolds. But what struck me the most about Jeanne was her infectious enthusiasm and passion, particularly for her seals, as she calls them.
On the day I partook in this adventure we all met, as is done at 7.30 each morning, at the Dolphin’s Coffee Shop on the southern side of Walvis Bay town. Jeanne took us from there to Pelican Point in her purpose made vehicle, towing a bunch of sea kayaks. The plan, according to Jeanne, was to get to our destination as quickly and as comfortably as possible in order to get the most of the best sea conditions and we would spend some time on the return journey admiring the bird life and more.
In spite of that by the time we arrived at the launch spot we had all ticked off Curlews, Avocet, Sanderlings, Cinnamon banded plover, Greater and Lesser flamingo plus the Great white pelican from our birding lists.
Kitting up was quick and Jeanne provides everything one would need from warm tops to life jackets to neoprene booties. Then off you go! It isn’t a tiring paddle, that’s not the intention. Rather it’s a cruise amongst the most playful young Cape fur seals you can imagine. They follow in your wake leaping out the water to take a better look at you and then chase each other around your kayak.
The faster you go the more fun it appears to be for them. I swear you can see them smiling. And when you stop to take photos of them they pop their heads out of the water to stare back at you for a while before heading off to find another kayak that is moving, and
therefore more fun. I couldn’t tell you how long we were out there, am sure it was a substantial time, but as the saying goes, “time flies when you’re having fun”. We all clambered out of the water excitedly telling each other all about the seal antics, as if everyone else hadn’t been there experiencing exactly the same thing alongside you - what’s that all about?
A warm cup of tea or coffee to wash down a delicious Broodschen (German bread roll), again provided by Jeanne - she thinks of everything - was such an awesome way to finish of this wonderful experience before packing up and heading off on the trip back. Along the way we stopped off to photograph various birds and black-backed jackal as well as spend some time learning about what makes the water in the salt evaporation pans here pink. Would you believe it’s an algae; fascinating stuff and quite beautiful too.
Back at the Dolphin’s Coffee Shop we said our goodbyes and headed off in our various directions. An altogether wonderful experience ... easy adventure that is amazingly fulfilling.
