Sardine Run Coffee Bay / Mdumbi
Sardine Run, Wildcoast - 7 night package
First week starts: 13th June 2025 7 x nights accommodation. 6 x sea days From ZAR 39 500 per person sharing.
Mdumbi near Coffee Bay is at the heart of the Wildcoast and is one of our favorite Sardine Run locations. This is rural Africa by the sea, an unspoiled coastal village with pristine beaches, estuaries and mangrove. The launch site at Mdumbi is one of the safest on this coastline allowing access to the Coffee Bay and Hole in the Wall areas to the south and the Huleka Nature Reserve to the north.
Sardine Run Package Overview:
- Mdumbi Lodge 7 x nights
- ZAR 39 500 pp sharing
- Single Room + ZAR 4 000
- All meals, DB&B
- 6 x Sea Days
- Afternoon Activities Available
- Experienced Skipper & Guides
- O2 first aid on-board
- Transfers E. London + ZAR 3 000
- Add Scuba Option + ZAR 4 000
- Photography Expert Operator
Sardine Run Coffee Bay Itinerary
Sardine Run Tour Package Information:
This is a 7 night sardine run package based in Mdumbi near Coffee Bay on the Wildcoast. The package includes 6 days on the water in search of sardine run activity.
Arrival Durban or East London: Oceans Africa can arrange all you transfer requirements. The transfer from East London takes approx. 6 hours. It is best for your flight to arrives in before midday so as not to drive on the roads in the dark.
At the Accommodation you will settle in and prepare your gear for the next days sardine run adventure.
Sardine Run Action: After an early breakfast it’s a mere 2min walk to the launch site. The beautiful Mdumbi river mouth is sheltered from prevailing wind and swell an provides one of the best launch sites on the Wildcoast. The goal is to find shoals of sardines and and observe the feeding activity of predators. The crew will decide the best route for the day based on recent activity and conditions. Once activity has been found the crew assess the action and decide on the best approach for entering the water. Usually this will be done on snorkel initially. If a stable sardine action is found then divers may choose to enter on scuba.
Sardine run action is often fast and furious requiring you to climb in and out of the boat many times. The boat carries enough food and refreshment to sustain you through the day. The boats used on this package are especially kitted out for photographers with built in Camera table and safe secure stowage for topside and underwater setups.
You return to base no later than 15h00. Clients meet again in the evening for sundowners overlooking the bay, where the lodge often serves locally harvested oysters. Dinners are usually buffet style servings of homecooked traditional and European dishes prepared by the lodge and available from 18h00. Vegetarian and vegan options are always available.
Due to the logistics of remote operation the can be no refund for any no-launch days. Sea days lost to bad weather will not be refunded. Alternative land- based activities will be offered to clients and lost time at sea will be added to later trips where possible.
Sardine Run Accommodation
Accommodation at Mdumbi
Mdumbi near Coffee Bay is in the heart of rural South Africa. Your accommodation for this sardine run package is at the award-winning Mdumbi backpackers, a community run lodge promoting social responsibility and sustainable tourism. Your private rooms are in traditionally built rondavel huts with comfortable double and twin bed options.
Tourism plays and vital role bringing jobs and income into the community and the Sardine Run is a very important part of the local tourism industry.
A variety of activities offered at Mdumbi by the tourism co-op bring income directly into the community. Guided hiking, kayaking and village tours are available to all clients that would like to keep active in the afternoons and experience more of the traditional culture of the area.