Sardine Run “A once in a lifetime experience!”
Experience this annual phenomenon that takes place off the coast of Port St Johns – South Africa. Snorkel and dive in the presence of hundreds of dolphins, sharks, cape gannets, whales, seals,…. During the Sardine Run you also have the chance to go diving in one of the top 10 dive sites in the world: Aliwal Shoal
Feel like you’re in a David Attenborough production or filming for Natgeo or the BBC Earth series.
This expedition includes ALL transportation and transfers, accommodation, diving, cylinders, air refills, diving permits and boat lunches as required for your Sardine Run package.
The action normally starts around Port Elizabeth and East London before the sardines reach the Wild Coast.
The area between East London and Port St Johns is the hotspot of the migration route. Common Dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins, Gannets, Bridal Whales, Humpback Whales, Dusky Sharks, Copper Sharks, Bull Sharks, Black Tip Sharks, Ragged Tooth Sharks, Seals and even Sailfish can be seen in this area at the time.
Our main goal is to find “Bait Balls”, but they are not there every day. On a calm Bait Ball day we will mainly dive/snorkel with dolphins, whales and sharks.
This makes it the ultimate Ocean Safari. Nature is unpredictable, the weather is unpredictable, the Sardine Run is unpredictable – but the satisfaction is well worth it!
Join us for what will be an unforgettable experience.
On arrival at Durban airport you will be greeted by our local agent, have a one hour transfer before arriving at the dive resort. In the evening we will meet the other participants in the restaurant, as well as our captain and dive crew. A full briefing will follow on how the Sardine Run will unfold in the coming days. During the briefing we will also test our diving equipment if necessary.
During the next 2 days we will go by boat to Aliwal Shoal. You will have 3 dives, including 1 baited shark dive. So that we can already acclimatize to the South African waters.
Aliwal Shoal is one of Jacques Cousteau’s favorite dive sites.
The reefs of Aliwal Shoal are so vibrant that you would otherwise have to do several trips worldwide to see this diversity underwater.
During the winter the reefs are home to hundreds of Ragged Tooth Sharks as well as a number of other shark species including Blacktip Sharks, Dusky Sharks, Copper Sharks [Bronze Whalers] and sometimes Tiger Sharks & Bull Sharks.
After diving on Day 4, we return to our Dive Resort for brunch before heading south to Port St. Johns [approximately 4 hours away]. In the late afternoon we check in at our accommodation, located on the banks of the Umzimvubu River in Port St. Johns.
The lodge overlooks the river and has a private bathroom. The restaurant and bar are great, enjoy a meal, a drink and a chat with the dive team about diving in the Sardine Run.
Daily continental breakfast at 6am, to be sure to leave around 7am by boat at East London harbour. Don’t forget to bring a fleece wind jacket, because you will definitely need it. We spend the whole day looking for our “Bait Balls”.
The easiest to spot this is the large numbers of Jan Van Gents (Cape Gannets) that will be present in the air and help us find the “Bait Balls”.
If we don’t see Cape Gannets, it means that sharks, dolphins and whales are also waiting in large numbers. We will certainly encounter these on our daily boat trips.
Lunches and drinks are provided on the boats. When we’ve had enough action or it’s about 3pm, we’ll return to our lodge to relax and enjoy the evening.
After breakfast we will get ready and say goodbye to the dive crew and other participants. It will have been an unforgettable adventure, but our driver will take us to Durban airport, where we have to arrive at least 3 hours before arrival.
Nestled on the banks of this river is one of the jewels of the wild coast, the beautiful Cremorne Estate, which offers 4 different accommodation options.
Cremorne is the location for the Sardine Run, with BBQ options in the evening and close to the harbour.
Blue Ocean Dive Resort is the best choice for your diving holiday at Aliwal Shoal, Protea Banks and Sardine Run on the south coast of Kwazulu Natal. Introduce your WOWs to their spectacular service, friendly and professional staff, excellent safety record and superior boats and equipment!
