Adventure Destination Addo

Raggy Charter's permit allows us to approach cetaceans up to 50 metres (no one else may approach closer than 300 metres) and if the cetaceans wish to move closer and are thus in control of the encounter we do not have to move away.

Although there were many factors that counted towards the allocation of the permit, we believe that we were successful because of our commitment to marine conservation and education.

Penguin Island Cruise: During this cruise, guests have the possibility of spotting bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, humpback dolphins, bryde's whales, minke whales, Southern right and humpback whale, Cape fur seals, various species of sharks, Cape gannets and various species of pelagic birds including terns, petrels, shuas, shearwaters and albatrosses

Both catamarans have a specially designed viewing platform which allows the guide to have the best possible view of the bay and thus a chance to see any animals that may be present.

We meet at the Algoa Bay Yacht Club in the Port Elizabeth Harbour at 8.30 a m, departing soon after and returning by 12.00 p m.Light refreshments and snacks are served during the cruise and there is an option of having lunch afterwards at the yacht club.

Penguin Island Cruise

St. Croix Island is home to 22 000 breeding pairs of African penguins, the largest breeding colony found in Africa. It is here where guests will get a close-up encounter with these comical birds.

The African penguin’s breeding season reaches its peak between March and May, when guests may be able to see the chicks from the boat. As well as African penguins, both St. Croix and Brenton Island (a smaller islet close by) are inhabited by the endangered African Black Oyster Catcher, White-Breasted Cormorants and Cape Cormorants.

Dolphin Watching

Indo-pacific bottlenose dolphins are the most frequently observed dolphins in the bay and can be spotted all year round, in groups from 10-400.

These playful dolphins are mostly found in shallow waters either near the beaches or around St Croix Island, and tend to come right up to the boat and ride along in the bow waves.

Common dolphins are also a spectacular sight as they are seen in groups of 1000-2000, swimming along at great speeds. These dolphins are often spotted from January to June as they follow large shoals of bait fish which move past the bay.

We also get humpback dolphins in Algoa Bay, which usually occur in much smaller groups, anywhere between 1 and 20, and are most commonly seen during the summer months.

Whale Watching

In South Africa whale season begins in June when we see humpback whales moving along the coast as they head up the East coast of Africa towards their breeding grounds.

Humpback whales can be seen in Algoa Bay between June and early January, reaching peaks in July / August and again in November / December when they make their return journey, with calves in tow. Southern right whales can be seen from July to October as they enter the safety of the bay to give birth.

Southern right whales are usually seen very close inshore and often nearby to the harbour. They are the most frequently observed whales along the South African coast.