Entering by boat: Namibia
What to do to enter Namibia by sea: the procedures, the papers to present and the ports where you can clear in.
Check with the authorities before you leave (last checked on 28 October 2026).
Before you arrive
- Online procedure: Visa en ligne (e-visa) du ministère de l'Intérieur — eservices.mhaiss.gov.na/
The steps
- Get the e-visa if needed (especially for Lüderitz).
- Call Port Control to enter (Lüderitz VHF 16, Walvis Bay VHF 12).
- Crew to Immigration, then the skipper to Customs (form DA1 in two copies).
- Port Health may board; ask Port Control whether to see the Harbour Master.
Papers to have on board
- Passports for the whole crew
- Visas, if your nationality requires them
- Crew list
- Boat papers (registration certificate)
- Outward clearance from the previous country
Good to know
- Since 1 April 2025 a visa is required for many nationalities, including France (N$1,600 on arrival, or e-visa); visa on arrival is possible at Walvis Bay but NOT at Lüderitz.
- New Immigration arrival form, to be filled in before arrival if possible.
- Clear out each time you move between Namibian ports.
- Weekend or holiday arrival: warn in advance, overtime fees possible.
Ports of entry
The ports where you can clear in, and the services available there.
Prepare your arrival with Hullteam
In the app, free: the map of every port of entry and its offices with their contacts, the crew list and the entry forms filled in for you, ready to print or send to an agent.
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- noonsite.com/place/namibia/formalities
- noonsite.com/place/namibia/walvis-bay/view/clearance/
- namibia-botschaft.de/visa-updates/
This information is gathered from public sources and sailors’ experience. It does not replace the country’s authorities, whose word is final: check before you leave.