The Sardine Run, off South Africa’s tempestuous Wild Coast, has been said to be one of the ocean’s most dramatic events. Each year, during May to July, countless millions of sardines (Sardinops sagax) leave their feeding grounds off the Eastern Agulhas banks and embark on a treacherous spawning migration that takes them onto the Kwa-Zulu Natal coastline. The fish move within a cold finger of water that creeps up the coast and facilitates their movement. They can travel, up to 60km a day, in pulses up that coast comprising many small pockets, or in a massive shoal resembling an oil slick. They are highly affected by ocean conditions and in some years they are not seen at all, possibly passing the coastline at depth, away from the predators’ scanning eyes.
An army of marine predators pursues these rich oily fish, prized as a meal – and predators go to great lengths to gorge themselves in this short-lived time of plenty. Long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) can form super-pods of up to 5000 individuals as they travel in search of the sardine shoals; ten’s of thousands of Cape Gannets closely follow them from above. Below the surface, unknown thousands of Copper (Carcharhinus brachyurus) and Dusky sharks (Carcharhinus obscurus) concentrate along the inshore waters in anticipation of the sardines.
This year Animal Ocean will be providing two ways for you to access this amazing event. We will be providing a 6 days diving package, including accommodation, breakfast and lunch. For those who just want to come for a single day, we will make that happen for you at short notice.
The day with us
6 Days dive – Sardine Run Package
Join us for six day diving adventure as we rise each morning in the Outspann Inn on the banks of the Umzimvubu River in Port St Johns. Head out, each morning in search of the shoal of sardines. This package includes accommodation, lunch and breakfast. You will also be provided with a weight belt or a dive cylinder. This does not include transport to Port St Johns. The experience is amazing and you will wake up each morning with the air of excitement of you immerse yourself in the phenomenon.
Cost : R15,000 p/p sharing
Dates available for packages
Arriving 9th June – leaving 16th June
Arriving 17th June – leaving 24th June
(more dates to be opened if full)
Sardine Run on a budget
If you are passing through Port St johns or want to take it easy without any commitments, then book a single day or 2 on the Run. If you are willing to roll the dice and gamble on hitting the action of your chosen day, we can book you out the best boat to get you on the action. The cost is the same for surface viewing or diving. The trip includes lunch, tank and weight belt. Dive equipment can be hired and it accommodation is your own choice.
Dates for a single day’s sardine run access are anytime between 15th June to 15 July
Cost : R1500
Full dive equipment hire : R300 p/d
General Info
Location -
We will be based in the quaint Eastern Cape town of Port St. John’s, historical home of the proud Pondo nation and peppered with influences from its Portuguese and British settlers. Daily travel to dive locations is dependent on animal activity and weather conditions.
Diving and water conditions -
SCUBA diver experience: Advanced SCUBA divers only. A high level of physical fitness and competence in the water is expected.
Snorkeler experience: Novice snorkelers are welcome, but a high level of physical fitness and swimming competence is expected.
Dive rules: No bright equipment colours (especially yellow and silver). No touching of animals. Follow skipper’s instructions at all times.
Depth: Surface to 20m. Type: Snorkeling, SCUBA and boat-viewing.
Visibility: 0 – 20m (minimum 5m visibility for bait-ball dives).
Water temperature: 17° – 22°C.
