Walvis Bay's main attraction is its lagoon — a shallow, sheltered estuary that is one of the most important wetlands in sub-Saharan Africa. The lagoon holds enormous flocks of flamingos year-round (sometimes over 50,000 birds), along with pelicans, cormorants, and scores of wader species. Bird-watching from the waterfront and boat trips to see seals and dolphins are the headline activities. Beyond that, the towering dunes immediately south of town and the Sandwich Harbour wetland make this one of the most dramatic coastal settings in southern Africa.