With a steady hum, the engines came to life, and we drifted away from the harbour, Lüderitz slowly shrinking into the horizon. Just as we settled into the gentle rhythm of the waves, the unexpected happened—a whale! A majestic, elusive silhouette breaking the surface of the water. It wasn’t the typical season for whale sightings, but that didn’t stop Christo from making the moment last. Carefully, he adjusted course, keeping a respectful distance while ensuring we had the best possible view, following the whale for as long as it allowed before it disappeared into the deep.

As we continued, Eslon and Christo painted the seascape with stories—tales of Lüderitz’s history, its explorers, and the rich marine life that called these waters home. Their knowledge made the journey all the more immersive, giving life to the sights around us.

We approached Diaz Point, where, in 1488, Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias planted his stone cross, a symbol of early European voyages to the southern African coast. While the original cross has long since succumbed to time, a replica now stands in its place, keeping the story alive. Nearby, a striking red-and-white lighthouse has stood watch over the coastline since 1915. Not far from this historical landmark, we came upon a rocky outcrop teeming with Cape fur seals, sprawled lazily in the faintly glowing sunlight, their dark coats contrasting against the greenish-yellow moss clinging to the rock. Below them, the waves crashed in rhythmic bursts, the morning light playing over the frothy surf.

Further out, the ocean stretched vast and blue, and as we neared Halifax Island, the island, a protected breeding ground for African penguins, appeared like a rugged sanctuary rising from the water. From the hammock-like nets, we watched as the penguins waddled across the terrain, their black-and-white figures standing out starkly against the weathered cliffs. Once a guano mining site, the remnants of abandoned buildings dotted the island—a silent reminder of its past, now reclaimed by nature as penguin nesting sites. Flamingos, seagulls, and cormorants added to the avian symphony, each species carving out its own place in this unique ecosystem.