The Walvis Bay cruise port is located near the city and serves as a starting point for many excursions. Despite the industrial surroundings, the Lagoon Promenade offers great opportunities for athletic activities. This 23-km long run takes you through the city, along the promenade, and then for many kilometers to Pink Lake and back.
After leaving the port area via the northern exit, the route begins right at the cruise port. First, you'll cross the railroad tracks, then the route turns right onto 6th Street. You'll follow this street for about 2 kilometers until it turns into Peter Dixon Street and finally ends at the Lagoon Promenade.
On the promenade, the route initially runs for about 2.5 kilometers right along the water. At the end of the promenade, the route turns right onto a larger road. Although there is a bit more car traffic there, next to the asphalt lane there is also a wide sand and gravel strip that runners can easily use.
The route then continues for about 6 kilometers along this road to the end of the lagoon. There, it turns right, and on the left side, the so-called Pink Lake appears – an artificial salt lake that offers a special natural spectacle with its reddish color. The turnaround point is at Pink Lake, after which the route follows the same path back to the cruise port.
The promenade in Walvis Bay is excellent for running. The path through the city is scenically less spectacular, but the sidewalks along 6th Street are well-maintained, and traffic is usually light. The same applies to the longer section to Pink Lake.
Since the path to Pink Lake is relatively monotonous, the route is long, and taxis are hardly available along the way, you should be confident in your ability to cover the distance. For a long run starting directly from the cruise port, this route is still the best choice in Walvis Bay. The long, straight sections also make it well-suited for faster runs.
A real highlight in Walvis Bay is an excursion to Sandwich Harbour. The combination of huge dunes, the desert, and the Atlantic coast is one of the most impressive natural experiences in Namibia and is far more spectacular than classic city tours.
A perfect day in Walvis Bay, therefore, consists of a trip to Sandwich Harbour followed by a long training run along the Lagoon Promenade to Pink Lake. This combines an extraordinary natural experience with a solid workout right from the cruise port.
The running route starts in the immediate vicinity of the cruise port.
You can either follow the route directly on the map on this page or import the GPX file into a navigation app like Komoot. We recommend navigating with the GPX file, as it is much more precise and provides clear guidance via GPS during your run. After saving the GPX file in your app, you can usually use the map offline. We recommend testing the navigation in airplane mode without active Wi-Fi beforehand to ensure it works without an internet connection.
**Tip:**
For extra safety, it's still a good idea to have internet access on the go. For cruises, a global data plan that works in many countries is suitable, such as from eSIM.sm (advertisement).
The area around the routes is generally considered very safe. The streets in the city are not too busy and have sidewalks. The road to Pink Lake mainly serves the local salt company and as a connection to the tourist destination of Sandwich Harbour, so traffic is moderate. Since there is also an unpaved strip to move onto, the road is also suitable for running.
Especially for afternoon runs, plan for an adequate time buffer. If you're running short on time, you should check if you can shorten the route or if returning on the same path is faster. For emergencies, it's also a good idea to save the ship's phone number, which is usually listed in the daily program, beforehand. Apps like Uber or Bolt are not very suitable in Namibia. While regular taxis are available in Walvis Bay, you'll need to get lucky to find one on the route to Pink Lake. For this reason as well, you should plan for plenty of time.
There are no known public restrooms or drinking fountains along the route. There are some shops in Walvis Bay where you can buy something to drink.
The route consists of paved and cobblestone paths, partly with unpaved sand and gravel strips. We recommend normal, well-cushioned running shoes. Depending on the weather, we also recommend bringing sun protection (ad), enough water, and a phone or running watch for navigation. It's also a good idea to have a payment method with you, although you can often pay with a card or smartphone in Walvis Bay.