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Superbly set on the shores of Algoa Bay, "The Friendly City" is the fifth biggest city in South Africa and the largest on the coast between Cape Town and Durban.
A popular leisure resort, Port Elizabeth beckons with an attractive atmosphere of year-round holiday fun against a backdrop of urban activity. Its warm, welcoming nature is matched by a climate which boasts more sunshine than any other coastal town in the country. Algoa Bay encourages all forms of water sport; in, on and under the sea, where there is a colourful diving region. The beaches are always alive with sun worshippers, and conditions are excellent for surfing, sailing, diving and angling. Close by, the Swartkops River offers endless opportunities for enjoyment. In addition to sport, land-based leisure options encompass a wide range.
Port Elizabeth has beautiful parks, botanical gardens and nature reserves with an abundance of bird life. Many inland and coastal walking trails can be explored in the area. In Port Elizabeth, the 1820 Settlers were introduced to their new land, and there they built some of the graceful period homes that still enhance the city's landscape. Since then, the tiny settlement has grown into a busy commercial, industrial and educational city with attractive shops, parks, theatres, museums and restaurants.
If coming by air, fly into Port Elizabeth from Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban.
For Further information click here for Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism website
Click here for maps of PE http://www.ibhayi.com/maps/maps.asp
NOT TO BE MISSED OPPORTUNITIES
When in Nelson Mandela Bay, please try and take advantage of two activities which attract tourists from around the world.
PRO DIVE (SCUBA DIVING CENTRE)
EXPLORE THE BEAUTIFUL AND COLOURFUL REEFS OF THE EASTERN CAPE. COME FACE TO FACE WITH RAGGED TOOTH SHARKS IN THEIR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, AND EXPERIENCE THE EXHILARATING ANNUAL SARDINE RUN, GETTING UP CLOSE TO DOLPHINS, WHALES, SEALS, PENGUINS, SHARKS AND BIRDS.
Algoa Bay embraces a Marine Reserve that includes two island groups. It also has a Wildside, on South of Port Elizabeth’s coastline, and together there are an enormous variety of reef and wreck dive sites.
The beautiful and colourful reefs, drop-offs, pinnacles, deep gullies and an exceptional diversity of soft corals and marine life makes Algoa Bay a rewarding and exciting scuba diving destination.
Evans Peak needs a special mention and is situated close to St. Croix Island and showcases some of the best diving in the area.
Algoa Bay is also on the migration route of many large mammals, sightings of Humpback and Southern Right Whales, dolphins, seals and jackass penguins are common.
During April & May you can experience the start of the exhilarating Sardine Run when dolphins, whales, seals, penguins, sharks and birds chase the Biggest Shoal On Earth up the South East Coast of South Africa.
The Spotted Ragged Tooth commonly referred to by the locals as “Raggie’s” are often found swimming through the network of gully formations at various dive sites. Get up close to these large fearsome looking (yet docile) sharks in their natural environment without bait or cages. Our best location is merely a 5-minute boat ride from Hobie Beach at a maximum depth of 18m making this an ideal dive for beginner divers.
The accessibility of shore diving and the ease of boat diving, the close proximity of reefs to the launch site and the professional and personal care ensures that diving is a pleasure, an adventure and thrilling every time.
- April to May – Sardine Run
- November to April – Best Raggie dives
- Boat dives and shore dives
- Min temperature: 14 °C (July/August)
- Max temperature: 20-22°C (December/January)
- Depth: 6m – 40m
- Visibility: 1m – 20m+
- Recommended wetsuit: 5mm, 2 piece and hoodie
- Equipment rental and airfills available on site
- Hot showers & washing up facilities available
Website: https://prodive.co.za/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProDivePortElizabeth/
RAGGY CHARTERS
Raggy Charters is a licensed boat-based Whale Watching permit holder and now also has a permit for Shark Cage Diving in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The most amazing marine life can be found in the Algoa Bay, also known as the Bottlenose Dolphin Capital of the World, this was an initiative of Raggy Charters in 2016.
What to Expect on Sea Cruises
African Penguins, Bottlenose Dolphins, Common Dolphins, Humpback Dolphins, Bryde’s Whales, Minke Whales, Southern Right Whales, Humpback Whales, Cape Fur Seals, various species of sharks (Great White Shark), Cape Gannets and various species of Pelagic Birds including Terns, Petrels, Skuas, Shearwaters and Albatrosses can be found in the Algoa Bay.
Website: https://www.raggycharters.co.za/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raggycharters/
Africa's TOUGHEST Indian Ocean Swim - Algoa Bay, South Africa