Sardine Run Diving, South Africa
What the Tribe Says about Diving the Sardine Run
The Sardine Run off South Africa is the marine equivalent of the massive wildebeest migration that takes place annually in Africa. It should be on everyone’s lifelist as it’s the opportunity to get into the water with more fish, dolphins, sharks and even whales than any other place on the planet. Its a scene right out of Planet Earth or Nat Geo as sardine shoals that can be miles long and look like a gray, impenetrable wall underwater that is disrupted as schools of sharks and pods of dolphins blast through it and come out on the far side with mouth’s full of sardines. It’s wild and woolly diving!
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Why We Think The Sardine Run Kicks Butt! (aka-Why Do We Go Here?)
The sardine run off Kwa Zulu Natal in South Africa may be the largest animal migration on the planet and a swirling mass of high voltage diving. Thousands of sharks, dolphins, whales, sailfish and other predators congregate to feed on enormous shoals of sardines that can reach over a mile in length. We get psyched just thinking about it. It is one of the greatest natural phenomena on planet Earth. For more info on the Sardine Run, click here.
What’s the Adventure?
We base ourselves out of the Port St. John area, right on the South African coast north of Durban. Each AM is an early morning launch from the beach in our RIB (Zodiac) and we head out to look for the passing sardine shoals. We find the sardines by looking for large flocks of seabirds hovering over the water and also use an ultra light aircraft for spotting to ensure the best chance of finding the shoals. We’re out on the water typically from about 7:30am until 2:00pm and the action is dictated by whatever we find. Often, it’s a series of shorter dives, in the water for 10 minutes or less, as the shoals swim past with hordes of predators in tow. Then back out, catch up and back in for another amazing spectacle. In the afternoons, there are walks, scenic drives, ultra light flights or just chill out. Evenings, we gather around the lodge with a glass of South African wine and enjoy the African nights.
Sharkman and Mantagirl Give the Sardine Run 2 Fins UP
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