Sardine Run
Sardine Run takes place Late May - Jul 2027 (peak activity mid-Jun to early Jul) in Wild Coast, South Africa. The dress code is Wetsuit and dive gear, usually provided by the operator. Bring windproof warm layers and a dry bag for long hours in an open rigid inflatable. Typical cost ranges from 1200 to 5000 EUR per person.
Billions of sardines move north along South Africa's east coast in the southern winter, pursued by dolphins, sharks, Bryde's whales and diving gannets in feeding events that can last hours. It is the premier event on the wildlife-diving and underwater-photography calendar, worked by a small group of specialist operators out of Port St Johns and Coffee Bay. Nothing is guaranteed, which is part of why it draws obsessives.
- When
- Late May - Jul 2027 (peak activity mid-Jun to early Jul)
- Where
- Wild Coast, South Africa
- Dress code
- Wetsuit and dive gear, usually provided by the operator. Bring windproof warm layers and a dry bag for long hours in an open rigid inflatable.
- Cost
- Typical cost ranges from 1200 to 5000 EUR per person.
- Weather
- Cool South African winter air at 18 - 22C, water around 19 - 21C, seas frequently rough
- When to book
- Specialist operators run fixed departure weeks and sell out 6 - 12 months ahead. Build in spare days, since weather cancels a meaningful share of sea days.
- Getting there
- UTT (Mthatha), about 2 hr 30 min drive to Port St Johns; or ELS (East London), about 4 hr
- Where to stay
- Umngazi River Bungalows and Spa (the comfortable base near Port St Johns), Cremorne Estate (riverside, popular with dive charters), Ocean View Hotel, Coffee Bay (simple, well placed for southern launches)
- Official site
- A natural migration rather than an organised event, so there is no official site. Trips are booked through individual dive and boat operators on the Wild Coast.
How to attend
Book a multi-day dive or boat charter with a specialist Sardine Run operator six to twelve months in advance; there is no central organiser or official site, so vet operators on safety record and years running the coast. Packages typically run EUR 1,200 - 5,000 depending on length and accommodation standard, usually all-inclusive from Durban or Mthatha. Open-water certification helps but snorkel and boat-only places exist for non-divers.
There is no organiser and no ticket - the only way to see the run is to book a multi-day dive or boat charter package directly with a specialist Wild Coast operator.
Insider tip
Book a seven to ten day charter rather than a short one - the run is unpredictable and operators who guarantee action in three days are guaranteeing something they cannot control.
Get inside Sardine Run
Booking matters here: specialist operators run fixed departure weeks and sell out 6 - 12 months ahead. Build in spare days, since weather cancels a meaningful share of sea days. Members track that window, what it really costs, and 573 more events across the season.
Free while in beta. One email when your invitation is ready, nothing else.