Research of Sardine Run Diving

[timz]

Hi everyone,

Sardine run has always been one of my must dive experience within my lifetime... However, most of my friend have never done any research on Sardine Run diving at South Africa.

Some question I would like to ask.
-How are the packages for Sardine Run goes in terms of price, accommodation, dive per day?
-How would the water temperature be during the Sardine Run season
-Is there any LOB doing Sardine Run..? Most of the packages I saw online are land base accommodation.
-What are the recommended amount of days for the Sardine Run diving trip..?

Is there anything else I should know..?

Thank you in advance. Appreciated.

Tim

 

[FettSolo]

Hi Tim,

I'll preface by saying this is all from my personal research. I have an interest in diving the Sardine Run as well; just have not had the opportunity yet. But I'll share what I've learned so far, and maybe someone more experienced can chime in.

-I've seen Sardine Run packages from $2,000 USD up through $5,000 USD. These are all full board, with long days on the water (unless there's nothing going on, see below).
-Water temperature is 15 – 22ºC (59 – 71 ºF)
-There are no Sardine Run LOB.
-The package trips seem to all be a minimum of 5 days, up to 14 days. This is because some days can get blown out due to weather. In addition, the sardines obviously need to appear on schedule in order for the action to take place, and sometimes this does not occur right away.

Hope that helps!

 

[timz]

Hi Tim,

I'll preface by saying this is all from my personal research. I have an interest in diving the Sardine Run as well; just have not had the opportunity yet. But I'll share what I've learned so far, and maybe someone more experienced can chime in.

-I've seen Sardine Run packages from $2,000 USD up through $5,000 USD. These are all full board, with long days on the water (unless there's nothing going on, see below).
-Water temperature is 15 – 22ºC (59 – 71 ºF)
-There are no Sardine Run LOB.
-The package trips seem to all be a minimum of 5 days, up to 14 days. This is because some days can get blown out due to weather. In addition, the sardines obviously need to appear on schedule in order for the action to take place, and sometimes this does not occur right away.

Hope that helps!

Thank you so much... Good to know... Looks like a 7mm suit is required for Sardine Run.

I will continue my research and post on this page.

 

[JacoVisage]

Hi Tim

Have a look at African Dive Adventures, they have detailed info on their website http://www.afridive.com/eb213/sardine-run-south-africa.html

I'd rather go for a 5mm suit.

Cheers

 

[bartolia89]

Hi, I am looking to do the sardine run either from Port Elizabeth/East London in June or Port St Johns in July. Which one would be the best location ? Thanks

Alex

 

[Sbiriguda]

Hi, I am looking to do the sardine run either from Port Elizabeth/East London in June or Port St Johns in July. Which one would be the best location ? Thanks
Alex

I am no expert but I learnt from people who organize these trips that this question must be addressed to them directly. The idea is that in June the migration is closer to west and south coast of South Africa, in July and especially in late July it's more in south west coast of South Africa. Anyway the perfect match of place and timing is probably not even possible to assess, but for sure the ones who can give you an approximated but informed feedback are those who organize the trips

 

[MrBigfins]

Thoughts on east London sardine run trip at end of June beginning of July. Planning a mixed trip of 7 days sardine run diving, 4 days Safari, 4 days shark diving cape Town area.

 

[greenpearlin]

I just came back from diving in Aliwal Shoal in SA where the dive shop also operates sardine runs (Agulha's House, highly recommend!) and asked the staff quite a bit about sardine run packages. From what they say it's very unpredictable how many dives you will get a day, and that most of the time will be on the boat chasing the sardines starting from just after day break to afternoon. Two things of note is that 1) most of the action will be very near surface since dolphins will be herding the sardines to the surface and 2) everything will be swimming extremely fast in a hunt. So the net result is that a lot of it will be snorkelling rather than scuba. Hope it was helpful!

 

[Sunn]

I confirm what greenperlin says, I've asked the same to south africans (was in Mozambique and South Africa in november) and the answer is : it may be good, it may be nothing...
The dive center must work with an excellent organization, aerial survey is better but is expensive...

That was also a must-dive for me, but I think I'll forget it.

 

[uwgreg]

Thoughts on east London sardine run trip at end of June beginning of July. Planning a mixed trip of 7 days sardine run diving, 4 days Safari, 4 days shark diving cape Town area.

Just want to mention that White sharks haven’t been seen around False Bay in over a year and a half and they got the first sighting a week ago. I don’t know if you wanted to cage dive with whites or general scuba dives with sharks.
Worth mentioning I’m also planning a trip there