Sardine Run & Safari – South Africa
Travel period
Features
Starting from
Combining Sardine Run with safari in South Africa
During this trip, you will first go on Sardine Run and then on safari to spot the Big Five. A fantastic trip that you really must have experienced.
The Magic of the Sardine Run
Discover the magic of the Sardine Run on this unique trip to South Africa. The Sardine Run, a natural spectacle that takes place every year, is a phenomenon in which millions of sardines swim in enormous schools along the east coast of South Africa. This event attracts an abundance of marine life, including dolphins, sharks, birds, and whales, creating a fantastic spectacle. Your vacation begins with two local dives at Aliwal Shoal to test your diving gear and get acclimated, before you head out to sea for five days from St. Johns To experience the Sardine Run up close and personal.
On Safari to the Big Five
Your adventure then continues with a safari in beautiful St Lucia. On the first day you will enjoy an evening excursion into the Isimangaliso Park, followed by dinner at a local restaurant. The next day you will experience a full day in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, where you will be treated to breakfast, a BBQ lunch and refreshments while trying to spot the Big Five. Day three takes you to Isimangaliso and Cape Vidal for a day of adventure, including an afternoon boat ride to see hippos and crocodiles.
Best travel period for the Sardine Run & Safari in South Africa
The Sardine Run takes place annually only in June and July. The rest of the year, however, you can just dive with sharks in South Africa at Aliwal Shoal.
The best time for a safari in South Africa is from May to September, during the dry season. During this period, vegetation is thinner and animals gather around water sources, making them easier to spot. In addition, temperatures are milder, making it more comfortable for safari activities.
Snorkelers beware – this trip is also suitable for non-divers, as the Sardine Run is almost exclusively snorkeling (because of the fast moving baitballs). So you don’t dive, but you snorkel? Then this one is also for you! Ask us about the (reduced) price for snorkelers.
Are you a diver? Then you need to be at least Advanced Open Water certified to dive. Otherwise, it will be snorkeling anyway.
Average Temperatures
Wetsuit advice for diving in South Africa
Between November and May, 5mm is sufficient for most divers. For the other months, a 7mm can even be considered. The Sardine Run can also be done in a 5mm, which gives more freedom of movement, but a 7mm is warmer.
What will you experience on this diving vacation in South Africa?
View itinerary here
Days 1 & 2 | Arrival in Durban
This diving vacation begins with a flight from Europe to Durban. The flight likely includes a short layover at Johannesburg, in the Middle East or Turkey. Total travel time will be between approximately 13 & 17 hours. On day 2, you land at Durban International Airport. At Durban airport you will be picked up and taken to the Blue Ocean Dive Resort in Umkomaas, about 80 kilometers south of the airport and close to the coast.
Upon arrival at the resort, check in. The rest of the day is devoted to relaxation. You can take a walk on the beach or relax by the pool. In the late afternoon you will receive a comprehensive briefing on shark diving at Aliwal Shoal, a preview for tomorrow.
Day 3 | Diving at Aliwal Shoal
Today your diving vacation really begins, and you’ll be diving at Aliwal Shoal, one of Jacques Cousteau’s top 10 dive sites worldwide. This breathtaking spot is famous above all for its many sharks—and rightly so. At Aliwal Shoal, you can spot sharks year-round, from ragged-tooth sharks during their mating season to impressive hammerhead sharks, tiger sharks, and imposing bull sharks. In June and July, you’re most likely to see: humpback whales, ragged-tooth sharks, and oceanic blacktip sharks. The other sharks are most commonly seen in the winter. So you’ll really need to come back at least one more time to check them all off your list….
Day 4 | Transfer to Port St. Johns
After a leisurely breakfast and packing your belongings and diving gear, your journey to Port St. Johns begins—a picturesque drive of about four hours. Upon arrival, you’ll check in at your accommodations, N’taba River Lodge, on the banks of the Umzimvubu River. This comfortable lodge offers stunning views of the river and features en-suite facilities. In the restaurant and bar, you can enjoy delicious meals and drinks while chatting with the dive team about the Sardine Run.
Days 5–9 | Sardine Run
The next five days are all about the Sardine Run, an unforgettable ocean safari. Each morning begins with updates on the movements of the sardines, then you launch the boats around 7 a.m. for an action-packed day at sea. These days are chaotic, fantastic, special…. it is actually impossible to describe how special it is to come face to face with so many different marine life, including birds, dolphins, whales, sharks and, of course, millions of sardines.
Depending on the pace of the action and the animals’ comfort level, you’ll head into the water several times a day— usually snorkeling , and if you’re lucky , diving as well —but don’t count on it. The baitballs often move too quickly. The sardine run also coincides with the migration of humpback whales, which makes for even more spectacular encounters.
After a day of adventure, you will return to the coast in the late afternoon. Here you can enjoy local excursions, relax at the bar or explore the surroundings. In the evening, a delicious meal awaits you at the restaurant. You also spend these days at the Spotted Grunter.
Days 10 & 11 | Umkomaas & Isimangaliso Park Safari
Today you leave St. Louis. Johns and return to the Blue Ocean Dive Resort in Umkomaas. Here you will stay another night, since it is just a little too far to drive in one day to St. Petersburg. Lucia – the central point for the safaris planned over the next few days. Start charging your camera ahead of time, because you will be using it a lot over the next few days.
After your breakfast, you will leave the next day for St. Lucia , where you will arrive during the afternoon and check into your hotel. This afternoon a Sunset Safari to the Isimangaliso Park is scheduled. This three-hour safari offers incredible views and wildlife in South Africa’s first-ever World Heritage Site. Your ranger, with years of experience, will give you fascinating insights about this unique area.
In the park you can encounter leopards, elephants, buffalo, rhinos, hippos and several antelope species, among others.
Don’t forget to bring a light jacket, camera and comfortable clothes for this unforgettable sunset safari, where nature and time seem to stand still.
Day 12 | Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve
Day 13 | iSimangaliso Wetland Park Safari Tour
Days 14 & 15 | Back Home
Unfortunately, your trip through South Africa has come to an end. Today you will be transferred back to Durban airport, from where you can continue your flight home. You can look back on a fantastic trip through South Africa, full of unforgettable adventures and memories.
Haven’t had enough of this adventure yet? We are happy to discuss together various extension options, such as a customized tour of Cape Town, including diving at Simon’s Town. Or how about a wonderful week of diving in Tofo, Mozambique, staying in a beach bungalow to completely unwind?
The accommodation
The stay and surroundings
Blue Ocean Dive Lodge
The first two nights of this trip, and from day 10 to 11, you will stay at the Blue Ocean Dive Lodge. The resort is beautifully situated overlooking the Indian Ocean and the Umkomaas Golf Course, and features a fully licensed ocean-view restaurant and bar, and of course a dive center. The historic 1934 building combines comfort and convenience.
With space for large groups of up to 24 (expandable to 32 with an additional boat) and a dive lodge that can accommodate up to 54 guests, they are perfectly equipped for any diver or dive association.
N'taba River Lodge - Port St. Johns
From Day 4 through Day 10, N’taba River Lodge & Spa will be your home base on the Wild Coast, located on the banks of the Umzimvubu River in Port St. Johns. The lodge is nestled among green hills and tropical gardens. From the lodge, you can enjoy a variety of activities, including canoeing and boat trips on the river.
N’taba River Lodge & Spa is a four-star lodge with an outdoor pool, restaurant, bar, terrace, and spa. The rooms are air-conditioned and feature a private bathroom, television, safe, coffee and tea-making facilities, and a refrigerator. Many rooms have a patio overlooking the river. The more spacious suites are located directly on the river and feature a sitting area.
The restaurant serves freshly prepared dishes with influences from South African and European cuisines. There are à la carte options and buffets, and dietary requests can be accommodated upon request. Breakfast is included and served at the lodge.
Heritage House - St. Lucia
From day 11 to day 14 you will stay at the Heritage House in St. Louis. Lucia, or similar accommodation there. This depends for a moment on availability. The Heritage House in St. Lucia is a small-scale bed and breakfast with five rooms. The guesthouse offers a cozy indoor lounge where you can relax after a day of adventures, or enjoy a beautiful African sunset on the outdoor terrace next to the pool. Key amenities include an information desk and reservation service, free Wi-Fi throughout the property, safe and secure parking, and a convenient location just a two-minute walk from downtown. The friendly and helpful staff is always ready to make your stay as pleasant as possible.
Travel costs
What is included
This trip is available from US$ 4.853 per person based on two people in one room. The diving trip can be expanded as desired. A number of things are included by default in this travel package.
Prices are subject to price changes, increases or changing exchange rates. Flights are always based on the cheapest possible booking class.
Want to know more about the Sardine Run in South Africa? Get in touch with us!
Included in this diving trip, from US$ 4.853 p.p.
- 3 nights at the Blue Ocean Dive Lodge
- 6 nights at N'taba River Lodge
- Half board accommodation
- Boat lunches during the Sardine Run days
- 3 nights in St. Louis. Lucia
- Half board accommodation
- During safari days lunch day on 12 & 13
- Return airport transfers Durban
- Dive package consisting of 1 day, 2 dives at Aliwal Shoal and 5 days Sardine Run*
- Nitrox at Aliwal Shoal
- VZR & Administration fee
* During Sardine Run, it is common for baitballs to move quickly. Therefore, sometimes it doesn’t make sense to go into the water in full scuba gear and snorkeling is chosen so you don’t miss any of the action.
Excluding
- Flight to Durban from US$ 1.062 p.p.
✈︎ The quoted (international) flight prices are indicative prices and based on departures from Europe. However, we can arrange flights from any location worldwide. Booking your own flights is of course also possible.
Optional
- BCD & Breathalyzer US$ 157 p.p.
- Full diving equipment US$ 235 p.p.
Email this Sardine Run diving vacation
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Frequently asked questions about the Sardine Run
Sardine Run general
During the Sardine Run, you will primarily snorkel from the boat (zodiac). This is because the baitballs can move at lightning speed. Should a stable baitball arrive, you can also dive. We always bring tanks & scuba gear in case this opportunity arises.
During the Sardine Run, you go from baitball to baitball. So you are at sea all day.
For the Sardine Run, this is hard to say – it depends on whether there are stable baitballs.
Diving equipment
The tanks are DIN tanks, but there are inserts to make them INT.
Yes, by request.
You can only dive with Nitrox at Aliwal Shoal. This is free for certified Nitrox divers.
BCD & Respirator are US$ 157 p.p. for this trip and you can extend this with mask, snorkel and fins for a total of US$ 235 p.p.
Activities, Excursions and Wellness
During the sardine run you can do some fantastic snorkeling! Therefore, this trip is ideally suited for snorkelers.
Yes definitely! We work with several partners in South Africa and can offer customized safari tours. While you’re there….
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