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Operating since 2002
Sardine Run Specialist
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Personally Guided tours
Choosing the Right Sardine Run Tour Package?
Oceans Africa will help you find the package that best matches your interests, experience and schedule.
Choosing a Sardine Run package is not always easy. Different locations, operators and accommodation all offer a different experience, while your travel dates, budget and specific needs will determine which package is best for you.
Oceans Africa has been helping divers, photographers and wildlife enthusiasts plan marine adventures since 2002. Having lived and worked on the Wildcoast, and guided Sardine Run trips ourselves, we have an in-depth knowledge of the strengths and challenges of each sardine run location.
As an independent dive travel operator we will help you evaluate the available options and match you to the sardine run package that best fits your focus, experience, dates and budget.
Why book your sardine run tour package with Oceans Africa?
Booking through Oceans Africa costs no more than booking directly.
We work on a commission-only basis with a carefully selected network of trusted dive operators, transportation and accommodation providers.
Our role is to help you make an informed decision before you book. We’ll discuss what you’re hoping to experience, explain the differences between the available packages, build onto or adapt existing options, and help with logistical planning.
Once we’ve built the right Sardine Run package for you, we’ll coordinate the relevant service providers and provisionally hold your booking until your flights are secured. As your agent for the package we are here for you throughout the journey from inception to departure until you return home safe, tired and fulfilled.
Dive the Sardine Run South Africa in 2027
The Sardine Run is a totally wild, unpredictable event so if you are looking for a real African experience with adventure diving at it's best, you're unlikely to be disappointed.
The sardine run is a movement of fish and predators along coast of South Africa that is driven by a seasonal currents and weather systems. When everything comes together the sardine run is the most spectacular natural spectacle, offering incredible diving opportunities and wildlife encounters.
What to Expect on the Sardine Run?
Every day on the Sardine Run begins with possibility.
The Sardine Run rewards patience, flexibility and realistic expectations. No two seasons are ever the same and wildlife activity can vary dramatically from one day to the next.
While everyone hopes to witness large bait balls, memorable wildlife encounters take many different forms and no two days unfold in quite the same way. There is no fixed itinerary, each day is an expedition where the ocean dictates the rhythm of the day
The sharks, birds and dolphins associated with the run should all be there waiting for the shoals to arrive, so encounters with them are almost a given. Some days you may be in and out the water 20 times on snorkel chasing mobile action. Other days you may find stable activity that allows the use of scuba. On quiet days the activity may be slow for long periods, allowing extended dives on local reef and wrecks, or your guides may choose to explore topside photographic options along the cliffs and landmarks of this spectacular coastal region.
Why Experience Matters!
The best operators are the ones that can deliver on a quiet day.
Good skippers and guides know how to adapt as conditions change throughout the day. They also understand that every guest arrives with different interests, goals and expectations.
Experience and local knowledge become invaluable on quieter days, when adapting to changing conditions and recognising opportunities as they arise, is key to making the most of what nature provides.
Every operator plays to their different strengths, but the values we look for in our preferred partners remain the same. Experience, humility, good judgement and a deep respect for the ocean and its wildlife are non-negotiable. These are the people we enjoy working with. These are the people we trust to look after our clients.
Build Your Own Sardine Run Itinerary
Maximise your dive time!
For scuba divers, adding a few days at Aliwal Shoal or Protea Banks before the Sardine Run is highly recommended.
These dives are your chance to acclimatize to local sea conditions and troubleshoot any equipment and weighting issues before heading down to the Sardine Run.
Additional diving also offers good value, extending your time in the water and spreads the average daily cost of diving holiday.
Oceans Africa will help tailor your itinerary by adding extra diving, accommodation and transfers before or after your Sardine Run package, allowing you to maximise your dive time in South Africa.
Planning your Sardine Run Tour 2027
Our goal is to help you find the right sardine run package.
There are Sardine Run options from the middle of May until the end of July, however matching your dates to location is key!
The most popular dates are the last week in June and first week in July, but that doesn’t necessarly mean its the peak of activity.
Of course your available dates are often the main dictating factor so we usually start there and before reccomending a location.
If you’re serious about experiencing the sardine run you have to put in the time and effort to maximise your chances of finding good sardine related action.
The shortest package we recommend is 4 nights and 3 days, where you’ll spend between 6 and 8 hrs at sea. Think of each day as a safari at sea where you never know what to expect. Some days can be slow while other days can only be described as mind-blowing.
There is also always the chance to lose a day or two to bad weather so give yourself as much time as you can afford. Remember most packages require a full day of travel each side of the package. Does all that effort warrant the risk?
Entering on snorkel allows the fastest response to action, however Scuba comes into it’s own when activity is stable.
There are some great wreck and reef sites to explore, so if sardine related activity is low there are usually alternate scuba options nearby.
Staying top side can also be highly rewarding with the spectacular scenery, diving gannets, jumping dolphins and lunging whales there’s plenty to see and photograph.
Many of the Sardine Run locations are quite remote and difficult to access. Not all packages include transfers, we will advise you on timings and transport solutions for each location.
An overnight stop near your arrival point is often required as the transfer by road can take as much as 8 hrs.
Clients who arrive in Durban may wish to spend additional time diving Aliwal Shoal and/or Protea banks.
Oceans Africa will advise on the best options and arrange the necessary transportation.
Most packages are all inclusive however it’s worth checking the fine print to make fair comparisons. Single supplement, equipment hire and transfers all affect the checks and balances.
Oceans Africa will help you weigh the options fairly.
Group rates may be available on request and subject to availability of services.
For 2026 we recommend you book at immediatley as availabity is limited.
Due to the expeditionary nature of these sardine run packages, sea days lost to bad weather are generally not refunded. Should this situation arise, alternative land- based activities are usually offered to clients and lost time at sea will be added to later trips where possible.
Due to the nature of the surf launch this package is not reccomended for children under 16 years.
You don’t need prior snorkeling experience, as it is possible to just view from the surface.
Participants need to be comfortable swimming in deep open water and have reasonable mobility and fitness to exit back onto the boat. For guests wanting deeper exploration, guides can support basic freediving introduction to enhance the experience.
Sardines arrive in water ranging between 18 and 21°C
Appropriate exposure protection is essential as you are spending a long time at sea each day. We will advise 5mm full suit as a minimum with hood and boots/closed heel socks.
Tank and weights are included in this package
Please provide sizes in advance M/F Height, Weight, Waist and Shoe
Guests to bring, changing towel, sunblock, jacket or windbreaker to keep warm between dives and while traveling.
Still unsure which location is right for you? Comparing operators, or simply want independent advice before booking, we’d be happy to help.
Sardine Run Tours 2027
Choose your Sardine Run Tour Package option
Oceans Africa will be guiding our own groups on select dates for next years sardine run. Select a sardine run tour from the options below and request rates and availability for dates or send us an e-mail with your dates and we can find a sardine run package for you.
Sardine Run Port St Johns
Sardine Run with Oceans Africa SARDINE RUN PORT ST. John’s Join Oceans Africa for this years Sardine Run as we travel and dive our way down to Port St John’s Sardine Run Port St Johns 6 nights KZN and Sardine Run ZAR 56 900 Per Person Sharing 5 days Sardine
Sardine Run Mdumbi
Sardine Run Mdumbi with Oceans Africa Sardine Run, Wildcoast – 7 night package WhatsApp Now! First week starts: 5th July 2026 7 x nights accommodation. LAST MINUTE SPECIAL OFFER: ZAR 44 000 for 6 x sea days or ZAR 22 000 for 4 nights 3 sea days! Mdumbi near Coffee
Sardine Run Mbotyi
Sardine Run Mbotyi 2026 Sardine Run Mboyti, Wildcoast – 8 night Package WhatsApp Now! First week starts: 29th June 2026 8 x nights superior accommodation. 7 x sea days From ZAR 67 995 per person sharing. Mbotyi at the heart of the Wildcoast is regarded by many to be the
Sardine Run Durban South Coast
Sardine Run Durban South Coast 2026 Port Edward Sardine Run – Durban South Coast KZN WhatsApp Now! First week starts: 23rd June 2026 Flexible package options of 5 nights from ZAR 29 500 per person. The Durban South Coast has always been associated with the sardine run. This is where