041Online presents Tourism Tuesdays — your weekly peek into Nelson Mandela Bay’s must-visit places and need-to-know experiences, brought to you in collaboration with Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism.
This week’s adventure took me far out of my comfort zone — and straight into the arms of the ocean — with the unforgettable team from Raggy Charters.
By Lelethu Zondani
This was truly one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve ever had, and I’ll never forget it.
1. Our guides were absolute gems.
From the second we left the harbour, the Raggy Charters team had us covered. Every single question we had about dolphins, whales, penguins, and everything in between, they answered with patience and depth. What I loved most was how committed they are to protecting and saving the animals around us. You could feel that passion. It wasn’t just a job to them; it was personal.
2. Bring snacks. And a hat. And maybe skip the water.
The tour is long, but in the best way. You won’t get bored, but you will want snacks, a jacket, sunglasses, binoculars… and definitely a hat. What you don’t want is to drink too much water beforehand. Trust me. There’s only one small toilet under the captain’s steering wheel, and no one was keen to try it out. We all kind of silently agreed to avoid it.
3. The island felt… heavy.
When we arrived at St. Croix, it was strange. The island looked like something bad had happened there. There was this almost eerie vibe in the air, like sadness hanging over the rocks. It’s supposed to be home to a huge penguin population, but we only saw six.
That really got to me. I felt deeply sad — and honestly, helpless. I couldn’t stop thinking: if this is what’s happened to the penguins, what’s next for the dolphins? The whales? It’s terrifying to realise how fast things are disappearing.
4. I saw Gqeberha like I never had before.
Something shifted in me out on that boat. On land, I sometimes get this trapped feeling — like I can’t breathe properly. But out on the water? It all disappeared. It was peaceful, grounding, even healing.
And then — the dolphins. They literally travelled with us from one island to the next, like little ocean guides. We really are the Friendly City, and apparently our dolphins got the memo, too. Also, fun fact: Gqeberha is the only place where you’ll find bottlenose dolphins like this. Watching them swim in perfect formation was like something out of a dream.
5. Who knew we had oyster clout?
Something random but interesting I learned: the oysters served at the Knysna Oyster Festival? They’re actually farmed right here in Port Elizabeth because our waters are so nutrient-rich. Love that for us.
This wasn’t just a boat trip. It was a gentle reminder that our oceans are alive, under threat, and more magical than we even realise.
If you haven’t done the Raggy Charters marine tour yet, I 100% recommend it — but bring snacks, an open heart, and a deep respect for the sea. It will stay with you long after you’re back on land.
You can find out more or book your spot at www.raggycharters.co.za.
Catch you next week for another Tourism Tuesday trip. Who knows where we’ll end up?
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