New: Port Elizabeth’s First Shark Cage Diving Tours

First pics, plus (WATCH) the maiden test voyage video of the first official Port Elizabeth shark cage diving tours new boat My China

The new boat for Port Elizabeth’s first shark cage diving tours with Raggy Charters was officially launched on 6 November. It’s a 9-metre catamaran built in SA. And she’s powered by two Suzuki DF250s, fitted by Nauti-Tech Suzuki.

“We’re extremely impressed with the new boat,” says Lloyd Edwards, owner-operator of Raggy Charters who recently secured the first-ever license to do shark cage diving in Port Elizabeth. “It’s such a step up from our previous vessel.”

POWERED BY SUZUKI

The new boat, My China, is powered by two Suzuki DF250s. An excellent choice in motor that won the international innovation awards when it launched for being the first 250 engines to produce over 184kW in power. It was also the first to introduce variable valve timing, which helps control power better and conserves fuel. See the Suzuki DF250 outboard and all our Suzuki boat engines here.

And My China is going to need the extra power and reserves. Because Raggy Charters’ planned great white shark cage diving tours will take divers about 65km outside of Port Elizabeth harbour towards Bird Island on the east side of Algoa Bay. That’s about 8km offshore. And you need a dependable vessel for doing regular trips.

Fortunately, My China showed in her tests that she has what it takes.

WATCH: THE BOAT’S MAIDEN TEST VOYAGE

PORT ELIZABETH’S FIRST SHARK CAGE DIVING TOURS

In May this year, Edwards and Raggy Charters presented a plan to the Department of Environmental Affairs at the Durban Tourism Indaba. And the first and only license to do shark cage diving tours in Port Elizabeth in Algoa Bay was granted in April 2018.

Mandela Bay Tourism also expressed their excitement about the new shark cage diving venture, because it could help boost tourism in Port Elizabeth and the Eastern Cape.

ABOUT RAGGY CHARTERS’ NEW SHARK CAGE DIVING IN PE

Raggy Charters, who already holds several whale and shark watching tour licenses in Port Elizabeth, is an eco-tour operator that feeds into various important conservation projects. They do a variety of marine tours catering to tourists, photographers, film crews etc. to generate funds for the Baywatch Project and the Penguin Research Fund.

Edwards says that they spotted the opportunity to expand to shark cage diving in Port Elizabeth because the water is so clear in Algoa Bay and there is plenty of great white shark activity in winter. That said, PE’s first shark cage diving tours will only start officially departing from April next year. The season will run from April to September every year.

But you can enquire and book your tour in the meantime.

HOW TO BOOK A SHARK CAGE DIVING TOUR IN PE

The exact timelines are still being finalised. And the first tours are set to start in April 2019. But Raggy Charters welcomes you to contact them via email or phone and enquire to secure your spot. Here’s the info:

Raggy Charters

Algoa Bay Yacht Club, Dom Pedro Jetty, Port Elizabeth
+27 (0)73 152 2277
info@raggycharters.co.za
Open 8am–5pm daily

—

Also see where you can buy skis, tubes, towables and other awesome new water toys in Port Elizabeth. Also, see how to find our shop at our new address.

See all the new boats we launched recently. Plus: Check out the latest new Suzuki outboard models.

Also discover what kind of performance you need from outboards on a hard-working science research vessel in the repower of uKwabelana. Plus: See all out recent boat and outboard repowers and get all the info you need under our section on boat repower.

Also, be there when the first humpbacks arrive in Algoa Bay at the Port Elizabeth Whale Festival.

Plus: What happens when you fit two 140s on a 6.7-metre boat specced for max 115? Find out with recently launched brand-new boat Seadation.

Also check out Robin Vermaak’s all-new CarryCat 760 game fisher, Piromero.

Plus: See all our custom-built new boats and all our favourite new launches under our full collective post on our boats.

—

DISCOVER MORE

Check out PE’s biggest ski-boat club PEDSAC and discover nearby Algoa Bay Diaz Deep Sea Club.

SEE ALL THE UPCOMING FISHING COMPETITIONS

You might also want to invest in the most economical and best boat outboard motor available.

BE THE FIRST TO KNOW

To ensure you always get first dibs on the latest deals and be the first to know about new, events and special offers by joining our Facebook community and signing up for our newsletter.

Need to refurbish, refit and revive your boat? Take a peek inside our award-winning Suzuki Marine workshop.

For easy access on the go, add our site to your phone’s home screen and get all the latest boating, fishing and Suzuki Marine news instantly.