Bird Island (Guano Platform) | Walvis Bay

Bird Island is a man-made wooden platform located in the Atlantic Ocean between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, Namibia. It stands approximately 400 meters offshore and is situated 9km north of the Walvis Bay town center.

Visual Characteristics

The landmark is a rectangular, flat-topped wooden structure supported by hundreds of iron stilts embedded in the seabed. It covers an area of approximately 17,000 square meters. The platform is entirely white, a result of deep accumulations of bird guano, and is typically obscured by thousands of Cape Cormorants, White Pelicans, and Crowned Cormorants.

Location & Access Logistics

The platform is situated offshore along the B2 coastal road (and the parallel C34 salt road). There is no land-based access. Observation is conducted from the shoreline parking areas along the highway or via boat tours departing from Walvis Bay. No public transport serves the coastal viewpoints, necessitating a private vehicle for land observation.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Constructed in 1930 by entrepreneur Adolf Winter, the platform was built to collect high-quality guano without the sand contamination found on natural islands. It is a significant ecological site, providing a safe breeding and roosting ground for marine birds away from terrestrial predators like black-backed jackals.

Key Highlights & Activities

Birdwatching is the primary activity, with the site hosting one of the densest concentrations of cormorants in the region. Guided boat tours provide close-range observation of the structure and the surrounding marine life, including dolphins and seals. Photography of the massive bird swarms during takeoff and landing is a common pursuit.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The structure is purely industrial and inaccessible to the public; it has no restrooms, shade, or facilities. Shoreline viewing areas lack formal amenities, offering only gravel pull-offs. Cellular signal (5G) is consistently strong due to the platform’s proximity to the coastal telecommunications infrastructure between the two towns.

Best Time to Visit

The late afternoon is the most visually significant time, as thousands of birds return to the platform to roost, creating massive aerial formations. The platform is productive for guano harvesting during the winter months when the breeding season concludes. Calm sea conditions in the morning provide the best boat access for closer viewing.

Facts & Legends

Adolf Winter originally built a much smaller version that was destroyed by the sea; the current reinforced version was so successful that it paid for its construction costs within one year of guano harvesting. The platform produces roughly 700 to 1,000 tons of guano annually, which is mechanically scraped and sold as high-potency fertilizer.

Nearby Landmarks

Langstrand (Long Beach) – 6.5km North

Walvis Bay Salt Works – 14km South

Dolphin Park – 7km North

Walvis Bay Lagoon – 9.5km South