Every year from May to July millions upon millions of small, fast swimming sardines migrate in huge shoals from the cold Cape waters to Southern KwaZula-Natal (KZN) attracting a variety of predators from the sea, air and land. Join us on a Sardine Run Adventure where you can experience the awesome sight of dolphins, whales, seals, sharks, game fish and a myriad of sea birds (and humans!) feeding on these fish.
Who Will Enjoy a Sardine Run Adventure?
This is a boat-based adventure for all nature lovers, including photographers, bird watchers, dolphin and whale enthusiasts, snokeless and scuba divers. The experience is boat based and is an unforgettable experience suitable for most members of the family. Because of the manner of the boat launching and beaching as well as possible uncomfortable sea conditions it is advisable that those of limited mobility, frailty or with back problems limited themselves to land based viewing.
Where Does the Sardine Run Adventure Take Place?
Due to the shape of the continental shelf and the strength of the southerly Agulhas current that forces the sardine shoals closer inshore and shallower, the southern KZN South Coast and the Transkei Wild Coast, offer the best viewing opportunities.
In May the adventure is based on the magnificent Wild Coast around Port St Johns, with Mother Nature providing a backdrop of geological splendor, in the form of high cliffs, offshore rock stacks and awesome water falls. In June we follow the shoals into KZN and embark on our adventures from Port Edward on the picturesque Hibiscus Coast.
How Do We Conduct A Sardine Run Adventure?
From our land bases at Port St Johns or Port Edward, we ride the ocean each day in search of sardine activity – normally located from sightings of large flocks of sea birds or huge schools of common and bottlenose dolphins. We also communicate with the Sharks Board and other boat operators and micro light pilots. The action is huge and involves a massive feeding frenzy involving the entire food chain. Millions of sardines, thousands of dolphins, birds and shark from Zambezi to Copper, Hammers to Killer Whales.
Once the Sardines are located, snorkellers and divers brave enough may enter the water to view the fish being devoured by dolphins, sharks, sea birds, etc. while those that prefer to stay dry, can witness this amazing phenomenon from the boat, which is more spectacular. Join us for an adventure of a lifetime.
We recommend that you take advantage of one of our 5 day, 4 night packages to view the sardines as the weather and sardines may not play ball every day. By committing more time to viewing the sardines you increase your chances of seeing most of what’s on offer – just like in a game park. Day trips are available on request but we offer no guarantees of what you might see over such a short period!
Ok, I’m Hooked! When Can I Go on The Sardine Run Adventure?
You may join us anytime from the 15th June to the 29th June.
Past records from the Natal Sharks Board and our experience indicate that this is the optimal period in which to view the sardine shoals. We have set provisional dates for ease of booking accommodation for our 4 day, 4 night packages, but should you wish to change the dates or increase or decrease the length of the tour we will do our best to accommodate your requirements.
What Do I Bring With Me on the Sardine Run Adventure?
The boats are 7m semi rigid inflatable boats capable of carrying 10 passengers. Carrying space is limited so we recommend you bring a water-resistant hold all, which should have space for:
- Video camera and land camera
- Binoculars
- Snorkelling Equipment (optional)
- Water proof jacket
- Change of dry clothes and a towel
- Sun Hat, Sun glasses and sunscreen
- Personal drinking water
- Refreshments including a picnic lunch are provided while on the boat.
Where Do We Stay During the Sardine Run Adventure?
There are a variety of accommodation options available from campsites to log cabins and hotel rooms at both Port St Johns and Port Edward.
At Port St Johns we have priced the trip for accommodation in log cabins right on the edge of the Umzimvubu River which is also from where we launch the boats. Port St Johns is reached by tar road from Durban or Margate and it is 360 km from Durban.
At Port Edward is 200km by road from Durban. We have priced two accommodation options:
- Riverside accommodation, which is 10 min by car from the launch site.
- Seaside accommodation, which is within walking distance from the launch site.
All accommodation is on a Bed and Breakfast basis. Picnic lunches are provided for the boat trips. Suppers can be taken either at the resorts or the many restaurants in the area.
Remember to bring underwater cameras, video cameras and land cameras. You could be the next award winning photographer, "Its all about being in the right place at the right time!"
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Port St Johns and Port Edward: Riverside Accommodation - R3 900.00 / person
Port Edward: Seaside Accommodation - R4 900.00 / person
Day trip prices available on request.
Price includes:
- Four days boat based viewing of Sardine Run
- Four Nights Accommodation on B&B basis
- Picnic lunch and refreshments on boat trips
- Qualified skipper and guide to conduct trip and inform passengers.
All excursions are conducted on Department of Transport approved boats and have all the required safety equipment on board.
Price is exclusive of transport and transfers, beverages, snorkeling gear, and dive gear.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
South Africa
Outdoor: Water Drifter
Fishing
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