Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise
5
Whale, Dolphin & Penguin Island Cruise
By Raggy Charters
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
About
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 0-99, max of 20 per group
Duration: 4h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Live guide: English
More
Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best
2024
- We provide spring water on tap and fresh croissants to snack on during our crusies
- Start:
- Nelson Mandela Bay Yacht Club, Dom Pedro Jetty, Port Elizabeth Harbour, Gqeberha Central, Gqeberha, 6001, South AfricaEnter the harbour and follow the road to the right and sign in at harbour security. Continue straight for approximately 370m, turn left and PE Deep Sea Angling Club is located just to the right of the following intersection.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Pushchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 261461P1- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Most travellers can participate
- Disabled who can board with assistance from family and crew are welcome to join. There is no age restriction. Life jackets are available for all ages
- Please join at your own discretion regarding health and fitness
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 261461P1
From
£142.98
per adult
Select date and travellers
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Similar experiences
Itinerary
- Dom Pedro Jetty, Port Elizabeth Harbour, Gqeberha Central, Gqeberha, 6001, South AfricaEnter the harbour and follow the road to the right and sign in at harbour security. Continue straight for approximately 370m, turn left and PE Deep Sea Angling Club is located just to the right of the following intersection.
- 1We meet our guests at 8am and after a short briefing before we head out into PE's beautiful Algoa Bay on our twin-engine catamaran. The 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 from June to early December. They make their return journey from October, females with calves in tow. Southern right whales can be seen close in shore from July to September.Pass byPort ElizabethPort ElizabethPort Elizabeth
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- AherinFos0 contributionsGREAT Experience for the whole familyWhat an experience and what and learned so much about the wild ocean. I can recommend this tour enough and with such lovely people tooo that own the business. WELL DONE ! I will be booking for another adventure with Raggy Chasers.Written 24 April 2024
- Sunkate1270 contributionsBeyond a DreamThis experience was beyond anything I could have imagined. I thought I would see some penguins unique to South Africa. We did see penguins, but the stars of our day were the three separate pods of bottle nosed dolphins we encountered; up to 1000 in the day. First pod was the smallest and closest to the harbour, magic watching them hunting for food. But further out on our way to the Penguin Island we came across a larger pod. Beautiful to watch, soo many we thought. Our third pod was the largest and there were so many you couldn't count them all. up to 600 in this pod at least. This was the BEST tour I had ever done. To see so many and to be as close as we were was beyond any dream. I am not a good photographer, but I am sharing some photos.Written 4 April 2024
- lisawT3368YB0 contributionsPenguin island trip. Amazing boat trip. Excellent!!The crew were fab from the beginning. Good explanation of the trip before we boarded and of course the understanding that they cannot guarantee what you will or won’t see! Lovely boat. We were on My Bru. Very clean and plenty of space even though we were full. Whilst the penguins on penguin island seemed to be having a sleepy indoor day we sort loads of different birds and were blessed to see a shoal of around 1,000 dolphins 🐬!!! So amazing. Got some wonderful pictures. A wonderful all round experience and am going to come back to do some more trips with this company another time. Highly recommend them.Written 11 March 2024
- StephenXXXXX0 contributionsTHE EXPERIENCE WAS WAY BEYOND WHAT I WAS EXPECTINGFor a long time I have wanted to do a Raggy Charter trip into Algoa Bay and recently the opportunity arose. Wow, I was blown away by the diversity of what we saw and how beautiful it is out in Algoa Bay. Jake, Tertius and Purity make a great team and are most knowledgeable in regards to what we saw. We even saw a Brydes whale, which was totally unexpected. I can but only heartily recommend that if in PE and want to see saline then Raggy Charters will be your best betWritten 14 January 2024
- lifetimetraveller60 contributionsAloga bay cruiseVery professional, and beyond professional. All staff members are sincerely taking account of every single visitor.Written 15 December 2023
- GoPlaces272721363270 contributionsSea safari in GqeberhaA superb experience by Keith and Purity. The sighting of whales, seals, playful dolphins and penguins provided an exhilarating experience. A well managed business being aware of safety for its customers, the environment and sea life.Written 9 December 2023
- Infullflight0 contributionsSEA SIGHTINGS SENSURROUND!On the ocean wave, spray in the face, salt on the skin, the exhilaration of landlubbers being at sea .... even before the first sighting of marine wildlife, and that was less than 10 minutes from leaving harbour! Mommy and calf humpback whales obliged, though we didn't bother them for too long. After that we saw a succession of gambolling dolphins, more whales, a few seals, and one 'raft' of penguins floating happily on the surface. But the seabirds' real domain were the islands we sailed past, St Croix and Brenton - teeming with colonies of cormorants, terns, penguins, gulls, a few oystercatchers, with their guano (no longer exploited) giving the rocky islands a white sheen. Avuncular Skipper Keith and his bubbling assistant Purity (who's made her way to a maritime career from Bushbuckridge in landlocked Mpumalanga) were mines of information on the marine fauna, conservation issues, the islands' history etc - and also ensured our comfort and optimal pelagic sightseeing at every turn (of the helm).Written 5 December 2023
- Curiosity386737844970 contributionsTop NotchRaggy charters staff, facilities and a joyful professional attitude made our trip unbelievable. We saw everything, whales, dolphins, seal, etc. It was such a humbling privilege to be so close with nature. Thank you all, for making our year end function a top notch event.Written 2 December 2023
- Freedom538132449300 contributionsFantastic from start to finishThere was a Large group of us with numbers changing a lot the staff were really accommodating for our group. The tour itself was spectacular we saw dolphins, penguins and humpback whales. The staff made sure we got to see as much as possible, getting a close as we could to get some amazing views and pictures! The staff made the tour, they were friendly and really informative about the animals, local area and impacts things are having on the local wildlife. Overall incredible trip! Would highly recommend to anyone in the area!Written 13 October 2023
- Lindy27120 contributionsAbsolutely incredible experience!Absolutely amazing trip. An absolute must do! The staff were fantastic and so knowledgeable. We saw so many seals, dolphin and whales. Raggy Charters are just the best!Written 2 May 2023
- anti0nette0 contributionsRaggie charters the best!! Cannot wait to do a bird island trip with them.A pleasant day out on sea. The highlight was a big group of dolphins on our way back. Always nice to spend time with them. Such an intelligent specie.Written 1 May 2023
- Psyche3690 contributionsMagical, Spectacular and Deeply Humbling!We had the most incredibly magical, spectacular Eco-Ocean Cruise with Raggy Charters on Saturday 29/04/2023. We were so incredibly lucky that after a general and safety information talk given by Lloyd Edwards, Owner, we were very safely and expertly skippered by a very competent Keith, directly into a huge sardine run feeding frenzy, by what seemed like hundreds and thousands of Common and Bottlenose Dolphins, three Bryde’s Whales, Oyster Catchers, Cory’s Shearwaters, Storm Petrels, Gannets - many youngsters included which is so encouraging - a Turtle, Seal and Common Gulls. A subAntarctic Antarctic Skua decided it was going to share energy with me and find out about humans a bit more - I am an animal communicator trained by Anna Breytenbach - and after hovering above us and dropping in on us again and again for many minutes then landed very briefly on my outstretched hand. Purity, our Guide is incredibly competent, friendly, and highly experienced in her lazer eye spotting of whales, dolphins, turtle etc and made absolutely sure each and every one of us was completely comfortable and remained safe and included in staying safe whilst on board. It was truly a most magical, awe inspiring and deeply humbling experience with each breath we took as we were completely enraptured by the spectacular display and grateful for the extremely competent Raggy Charter team expertise. We also encountered the Raggy Charter research and filming crew working tirelessly on a documentary to be screened on the BBC Channel Blue Planet, hopefully by 2024. An unforgettable experience to be remembered forever. My nearly seven year old grandson who had been gifted this cruise for his 6th birthday last year, was completely enraptured from beginning to end. And remains so. Much gratitude and respect to the Raggy Charters team. We can highly recommend a cruise with them.Written 1 May 2023
- Q225LJjessicar0 contributionsUnique sea safari experienceThis is an exceptional and unique experience of the ocean and marine wildlife. We have been more than once and have had the most memorable sightings of whales, dolphins, seals, penguins and many sea birds. The guides are professional, knowledgeable and committed to preserving the natural resources in the area. There is a focus on safety for both people and wildlife. It is impossible to recommend this highly enough. Raggy Charters does so much to protect and raise awareness of the issues impacting the marine life in the area. It feels good to know that we are supporting them.Written 21 April 2023
- T6106UKdennisw0 contributionsamazing experience with hundreds of dolphinsThe experience with the Raggy Charters is definitely in our top 3 moments of our vacation in South Africa! It was worth every little penny! First off, the Captain and his 2 crew members were such lovely people. We learned a lot about their mission to protect the environment and tons of information about dolphins, penguins, whales and lots of other animals living in the bay. First we got a funny speech and some necessary safety instructions. After we went on the boat and as soon as we were driving we saw dolphins coming everywhere to the water surface. We didn’t know where we should look first, because they were all over the place. We also saw a little seal/robberg at a propeller of a big tanker ship. Pretty sweet to see how it played around the propeller. But the most special moment was in front of a little island where we saw hundreds of dolphins catching some air. The captain explained they are resting. And then we saw a little white dolphin. An albino dolphin. We were able to take some pics and videos of it. You can see it at the photo section (Sorry for the bad quality. We took photos of my laptop screen.) This is such a special moment, because the captain searched his last 30 years for one - and on this day, he finally saw it! He was jumping like a kid on Christmas evening. Here and there we also saw penguins and a lot of birds. Pretty awesome how many different animals we could see. All in all it was definitely worth it every minute. After the tour we had an amazing sea food platter at the restaurant right next to the starting point of the Raggy trip. It’s called „Of the Hook“. When you want to see lots of animals and have a nice boots tour, you need to check this out. Thank You for everything!Written 15 April 2023
- sophielL733VB0 contributionsA dream became true…WE had a famous and wonderful day seing killer whales, pingouins, seals, whales, dolphins… We slept this night with lovely dreams… Thanks a lot for all the crews.Written 14 April 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
5.0
640 reviews
Excellent
627
Very good
11
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
0
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
Giorgio
10 contributions
Review for Raggy Charters
★★★★★
An unforgettable experience! The team at Raggy Charters is incredibly professional and passionate, sharing a deep respect for the marine environment and the amazing creatures that inhabit these waters.
Our excursion was flawlessly organized: the boat was comfortable and safe, and the crew was always ready to answer questions and share fascinating insights about marine wildlife. The guide made the tour even more engaging with detailed and captivating explanations.
We were lucky enough to spot several whales and dolphins, always maintaining a respectful distance to avoid disturbing them. It’s clear that this center operates with a strong ecological ethic, following strict protocols to protect the animals and their habitat.
If you love nature and want to experience something truly special, I highly recommend Raggy Charters. A genuine and respectful adventure that will leave you in awe!
★★★★★
An unforgettable experience! The team at Raggy Charters is incredibly professional and passionate, sharing a deep respect for the marine environment and the amazing creatures that inhabit these waters.
Our excursion was flawlessly organized: the boat was comfortable and safe, and the crew was always ready to answer questions and share fascinating insights about marine wildlife. The guide made the tour even more engaging with detailed and captivating explanations.
We were lucky enough to spot several whales and dolphins, always maintaining a respectful distance to avoid disturbing them. It’s clear that this center operates with a strong ecological ethic, following strict protocols to protect the animals and their habitat.
If you love nature and want to experience something truly special, I highly recommend Raggy Charters. A genuine and respectful adventure that will leave you in awe!
Written 3 February 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Marco, firstly for joining us and thus assisting us on our conservation road, for noting a very detailed review and lastly for the high recommendation. We all appreciate. Hope you can join us again one day. Until then take care.
Written 4 February 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
dani
Ulm, Germany3 contributions
I went on a whale and dolphin watching cruise and it was an incredible experience! The crew was knowledgeable and eco-conscious, which was important to me. Our guide shared detailed information about the animals and the area, and our skipper, Jake, was friendly and approachable.
We saw dolphins, penguins, and two different kinds of whales, each with their calves! The boat fits 20 people, but it wasn’t full on our trip, so there was plenty of space. Everyone had a seat, with options to sit in the front or stand on top. There’s plenty of shade, and they even provided a small snack.
Although it’s a bit pricey, knowing the money goes towards conservation makes it worth every cent. I highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in marine wildlife and eco-friendly experiences!
We saw dolphins, penguins, and two different kinds of whales, each with their calves! The boat fits 20 people, but it wasn’t full on our trip, so there was plenty of space. Everyone had a seat, with options to sit in the front or stand on top. There’s plenty of shade, and they even provided a small snack.
Although it’s a bit pricey, knowing the money goes towards conservation makes it worth every cent. I highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in marine wildlife and eco-friendly experiences!
Written 14 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you very much for joining us and thus supporting our conservation efforts. And thank you for noting such a lovely review. We really appreciate all.
Written 22 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
elizarenn
Chattanooga, TN384 contributions
Whether you’re interested in thrill seeking, bird watching, or animal conservation, Raggy Charters has the adventure for you. Plan to spend a full day (7am - 5pm) on a well-equipped, comfortable boat with experts who make the experience of seeing whales, dolphins, seals, penguins, sharks, and a number of birds even more enthralling with their informative details and lively stories. Snacks and (non-alcoholic) drinks are provided, as well as a delicious lunch.
Here are some tips to make the journey even more pleasurable:
— If you plan to do the shark diving, which I recommend, bring your own goggles or mask if you have them. The mask they provided was a little large for me, and I couldn’t get it to seal, so I missed seeing the sharks up close. Fortunately, there were a few circling the boat, so I did not leave disappointed!
— Wear clothes that dry easily. You’ll get wet from the spray as the boat cruises through the water, and cotton clothing isn’t the best choice. Dress in layers for the chilly air, and make sure your clothes dry quickly.
— If you think you might get seasick, take your medicine before getting on the boat! It can be a rolling, rollicking ride!
— The ride back in the afternoon is fairly long. A comfortable place to enjoy it is sitting on the floor of the top deck with your back against the life raft. You are protected from the wind and spray, and you have a great view of the water.
— Keep your expectations low. No one can make whales or sharks or penguins appear on demand. Having said that, take delight in everything you see and hear. You’re immersed in the natural world. How often do you get to watch seals play and listen to them make barnyard noises? (Seriously — they quack, bleat, moo, bark .. they are really fun to listen to!)
— There’s more to the day than just looking at marine life. Take in the cliffs and the dunes, the multiple colors of the flora and waters. You’ll see some of the most gorgeous landscapes and seascapes in the world.
What makes a trip with Raggy Charters even more memorable is knowing that your ticket price contributes to their conservation efforts. Highly recommended!
Here are some tips to make the journey even more pleasurable:
— If you plan to do the shark diving, which I recommend, bring your own goggles or mask if you have them. The mask they provided was a little large for me, and I couldn’t get it to seal, so I missed seeing the sharks up close. Fortunately, there were a few circling the boat, so I did not leave disappointed!
— Wear clothes that dry easily. You’ll get wet from the spray as the boat cruises through the water, and cotton clothing isn’t the best choice. Dress in layers for the chilly air, and make sure your clothes dry quickly.
— If you think you might get seasick, take your medicine before getting on the boat! It can be a rolling, rollicking ride!
— The ride back in the afternoon is fairly long. A comfortable place to enjoy it is sitting on the floor of the top deck with your back against the life raft. You are protected from the wind and spray, and you have a great view of the water.
— Keep your expectations low. No one can make whales or sharks or penguins appear on demand. Having said that, take delight in everything you see and hear. You’re immersed in the natural world. How often do you get to watch seals play and listen to them make barnyard noises? (Seriously — they quack, bleat, moo, bark .. they are really fun to listen to!)
— There’s more to the day than just looking at marine life. Take in the cliffs and the dunes, the multiple colors of the flora and waters. You’ll see some of the most gorgeous landscapes and seascapes in the world.
What makes a trip with Raggy Charters even more memorable is knowing that your ticket price contributes to their conservation efforts. Highly recommended!
Written 29 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elisabeth E
2 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
We can recommend this whalewhatching provider without restriction. Although I am in a wheelchair, there was no question that I would be given this ride. Upon our arrival, several men stood by.
The trip was wonderful. We have seen many dolphins and were able to admire them extensively. Our guide Jake provided us with valuable information without any hassle. We saw several whales, some penguins and seals. At Raggy Charters, such a tour is not unlovingly unwound. The operators take time for explanations, questions and a careful, respectful approach to the animals. The price may not be cheap, but firstly it is worth every second, and secondly it benefits in large part the very purpose of Raggy Charters - to protect nature.
The trip was wonderful. We have seen many dolphins and were able to admire them extensively. Our guide Jake provided us with valuable information without any hassle. We saw several whales, some penguins and seals. At Raggy Charters, such a tour is not unlovingly unwound. The operators take time for explanations, questions and a careful, respectful approach to the animals. The price may not be cheap, but firstly it is worth every second, and secondly it benefits in large part the very purpose of Raggy Charters - to protect nature.
Automatically translated
Written 30 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were so happy that you could join us Elisabeth and thank you for your lovely review. The team were more than happy to assist you. Enjoy your travels and hope you visit again, til then take care.
Written 2 September 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
susieBirmingham
The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield, UK230 contributions
Jan 2023
Had a fabulous trip this morning with Jake on our boat and Lloyd on the other. Started off seeing 3 humpback dolphins with a calf, then crossed the bay to see brydes whales and a couple of thousand common dolphins who entertained us! We them went towards St Croix island where we saw bottlenose dolphins, penguins, cormorants and gannets. So sad to see so few penguins compared to my last visit a few years ago...............
An excellent morning, would always recommend Raggy Charters, they do so much good work with conservation and education, not just boat trips for tourists. All the staff are excellent and give you loads of information during the cruise.
An excellent morning, would always recommend Raggy Charters, they do so much good work with conservation and education, not just boat trips for tourists. All the staff are excellent and give you loads of information during the cruise.
Written 6 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thank you Susie - we just love to hear that we are rated as high as excellent! makes us proud and makes our passion grow for what we do. Your contribution to conservation is greatly appreciated and know that you did help towards our constant battle to conserve marine life in Algoa Bay.
Kind regards
Written 26 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Alex1979
South Yorkshire, UK194 contributions
Excellent communication prior to the excursion. Comprehensive and precise regarding what to expect and how to dress. This was the same as the cruise ship excursion offered, booked direct and at a fraction of the price. Great communication from staff during the experience about the wildlife we could see. Sightings of bottle nosed dolphins, humpback dolphins ( quite rare), a bride’s whale quite elusive, colonies of penguins and a humpback whale. A superb experience for 4 hours, excellent so do it. Would recommend.
Written 10 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Alex, we were very happy to host you and so good to hear you enjoyed all.
Written 4 January 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Emma C
1 contribution
Jan 2025 • Family
Karen was very clear and honest with setting expectations when I contacted her and explained the whale season is over. She explained that the crew do everything they can show marine life, but nothing is a guarantee. There wasn’t a mammal we didn’t see. We saw 2 Brydes whales, 1 humpback whale, hundreds of dolphins, some penguins, birds, and the crew were even able to find 2 white sharks that were fully emerged in the water.
The boat crew Shane & Jake were very knowledgeable. My mum and I were with another group. The crew kade sure everyone has a chance to be at the front of the boat and on the top of the boat so that everyone has a great experience. The crew’s passion is out of this world. They got very excited with us and shared the moments with us. They were communicating well with each other and over the radio to ensure the best experience for everyone.
The memories are very magical and they hold a very special place in my heart. I’d do it everyday if I could.
Please make sure you take cash with you as this is their preferred method for tipping. You leave the boat in awe and you WANT tip.
The best thing is that they also care a lot for the environment. They plant trees, explain the impact on the commercial fishing industry and get involved in conservation projects.
Thank you to everyone.
The boat crew Shane & Jake were very knowledgeable. My mum and I were with another group. The crew kade sure everyone has a chance to be at the front of the boat and on the top of the boat so that everyone has a great experience. The crew’s passion is out of this world. They got very excited with us and shared the moments with us. They were communicating well with each other and over the radio to ensure the best experience for everyone.
The memories are very magical and they hold a very special place in my heart. I’d do it everyday if I could.
Please make sure you take cash with you as this is their preferred method for tipping. You leave the boat in awe and you WANT tip.
The best thing is that they also care a lot for the environment. They plant trees, explain the impact on the commercial fishing industry and get involved in conservation projects.
Thank you to everyone.
Written 2 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you SO much for such a lovely review. Can hear the excitement in your words and makes us very proud. Hope you can join again one day.
Written 4 January 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
tstark9119
Sarasota, FL101 contributions
Jan 2023
We were very lucky to have been booked on a tour with Raggy Charters. Shortly after we arrived, Captain Jake arrived and gave us a rundown on what Raggy Charters was all about and we were stoked as these are things we cherish and love to see and hear. We were extremely lucky as we were by ourselves for the tour with one exception; a local student interested in working charters; to which we felt blessed to share this experience with him. Upon arriving at the boat, we were greeted by First Mate Purity and their student trainee Zusiphe. The boat was clean and in great shape and after a short safety training session we were off. The seas were calm and we were on our way…. shortly after cruising the shoreline (and seeing a hammerhead shark) we started to head towards the island where the penguins are and while heading in that direction Captain Jake stated he saw some unusual bird activity and we were head in that direction to see what was going on. As we drew near, we were greeted by a raving sea of chaos! A large school of anchovies was being devoured by no less than 800 to 1,000 dolphins, 3 to 5 whales and a too numerous to count barrage of birds. Captain Jake kept the boat in a great distance for the safety of the animals, but close enough for an unlimited amount of photos! The action continued for about 30 to 45 minutes when the seas calmed back down and probably all the anchovies had been gobbled up. What a show! We then turned course and headed towards the island. We were lucky enough to see sharks jumping in the air! I kid you not; Purity got us up to speed on the sharks and what they were doing and informed us that we were very lucky to have see it occur. Upon reaching the island, we were surrounded by Bottled Nosed Dolphins swimming and playing and having a good time and putting on an awesome show! Captain Jake worked us in and around the island to see where there penguins were (and there were plenty of penguins to be seen) while Purity updated us with interesting information and the plight/struggles of these small creatures. While circling back around, the water came alive with hammerhead sharks! There were a lot and we kept hearing the crew say they had never seen so many! The boat returned safely back to the dock and we bid a fond farewell to our crew. This is an excellent company, focused on ecology and community and they did and outstanding job and shared with us memories that will last a life time! Thank you, team!! We cannot recommend this company enough!
Written 28 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi tstark
WOW - thank you for such a comprehensive account of your trip. Really creates a picture of the day for future guests to have an idea of what we are about and all that can be seen on a given day. We are seldom disappointed with what we all see in the Bay. Is just beautiful!
Keep well and thank you again!
Written 26 June 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tara D
Dublin, Ireland17 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Great trip. Jake our guide was very nice and very knowledgeable about the sea life and environmental issues in the local area. We saw whales - mothers and babies together and one of these was breaching which was amazing.
I really liked where Raggy Charters are with all the environmental work. Was not aware of this when we booked but nice to know money is going to help marine projects in the area.
Would highly recommend
I really liked where Raggy Charters are with all the environmental work. Was not aware of this when we booked but nice to know money is going to help marine projects in the area.
Would highly recommend
Written 5 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wonderful to hear you had such a great time in the bay with our team. We really appreciate your support, review and recommendation. Thank you.
Written 6 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
George Meiring
10 contributions
Dec 2022
Wow!, what an experience!
Lloyd and team are a professional group. Good communication, education and information sharing.
I am from Gqaberah and have never before had the opportunity to come really close and personal with the whales in our bay.
During the morning briefing, Lloyd informed us (Me from South Africa, Four guests from Australia and Five guests from Germany) that he had to inform us that they think the whales have left for their feeding ground. We were obviously disappointed on hearing the news. On the trip out to St Croix Island we passed a fleet of "Choka" squid fishing boats. Interesting to see these up close. We normally only see them in a distance, from the shore.
We saw seral species of birds, in flight and on the water.
When we arrived at the Island I enjoyed the bird sightings, Cape Cormorant, White breast Cormorant, Sacred Ibis, Little tern, Guls and the penguins that are molting at the moment.
This seemed to be our sightings for the day. The skipper then tuned the boat towards the coast and Purity the Naturalist on the boat informed us that we will now be looking for bottle nose dolphins. Then yey! there was a Whale mother and her calf. We approach them and had some good sightings of them. The mother was very protective of her calf and the skipper respected that. Good to see this interaction. The once again yey!, there in the distance closer to the St Croix Island we saw a whale bridge. Exciting! The boat tuned and sped in that direction. Exhilarating! Arriving close we counted four whales in this pod. Wow what an experience. I could now use my camera and it was a great exiting experience. Time passed by and we saw tale flapping, bridging and more. The whales really entertained us. The Skipper knows how to position us relative to the whales and surrounding for excellent photos. I got some real good shots.
For me this brought the the relaxation that I needed after a tough and busy year. This half day our with Raggy Charters feel like a whole week's holiday.
Thank you so much!
Lloyd and team are a professional group. Good communication, education and information sharing.
I am from Gqaberah and have never before had the opportunity to come really close and personal with the whales in our bay.
During the morning briefing, Lloyd informed us (Me from South Africa, Four guests from Australia and Five guests from Germany) that he had to inform us that they think the whales have left for their feeding ground. We were obviously disappointed on hearing the news. On the trip out to St Croix Island we passed a fleet of "Choka" squid fishing boats. Interesting to see these up close. We normally only see them in a distance, from the shore.
We saw seral species of birds, in flight and on the water.
When we arrived at the Island I enjoyed the bird sightings, Cape Cormorant, White breast Cormorant, Sacred Ibis, Little tern, Guls and the penguins that are molting at the moment.
This seemed to be our sightings for the day. The skipper then tuned the boat towards the coast and Purity the Naturalist on the boat informed us that we will now be looking for bottle nose dolphins. Then yey! there was a Whale mother and her calf. We approach them and had some good sightings of them. The mother was very protective of her calf and the skipper respected that. Good to see this interaction. The once again yey!, there in the distance closer to the St Croix Island we saw a whale bridge. Exciting! The boat tuned and sped in that direction. Exhilarating! Arriving close we counted four whales in this pod. Wow what an experience. I could now use my camera and it was a great exiting experience. Time passed by and we saw tale flapping, bridging and more. The whales really entertained us. The Skipper knows how to position us relative to the whales and surrounding for excellent photos. I got some real good shots.
For me this brought the the relaxation that I needed after a tough and busy year. This half day our with Raggy Charters feel like a whole week's holiday.
Thank you so much!
Written 7 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
As I know, whale observations can be best experienced during south african wintertime, i. e. between July and October.
Written 6 April 2022
We are arriving on an Azamara Cruise at 7am Feb 22. Is there transportation from the cruise line terminal to this cruise departure site? If so what is the cost? I did not see the departure time in your information.
Thanks,
Jean
Written 5 November 2021
Good morning Jean, thank you for your message and thank you to Michael and Diane for assisting Jean. Jean please can you send me your email address and I will send you all details.
Many thanks, will be lovely to have you on board.
Kind regards
Karen
Written 8 November 2021
Showing results 1-2 of 2
Top rated
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.