The sardine run along South Africa's Wild Coast is not a destination in the normal sense — it is a few-week annual event that draws divers and snorkellers for one thing: to get in the water with one of the largest marine feeding frenzies on earth. Between late May and mid July, billions of sardines move north along the coast and are intercepted by common dolphins, bronze whaler and dusky sharks, Cape gannets, and opportunistic humpback whales mid-migration. Baitballs form for seconds and minutes at a time and operators chase them by boat. It is unpredictable, weather-dependent, cold, and unlike any other diving in the world.
The year at a glance
- Water
- 22–25 °C
- Viz
- 5–15 m
- Sea
- rough
- Rain
- moderate
- Water
- 22–25 °C
- Viz
- 5–15 m
- Sea
- rough
- Rain
- moderate
- Water
- 21–24 °C
- Viz
- 5–15 m
- Sea
- rough
- Rain
- moderate
- Water
- 20–23 °C
- Viz
- 5–15 m
- Sea
- rough
- Rain
- moderate
- Water
- 19–22 °C
- Viz
- 5–20 m
- Sea
- moderate
- Rain
- low
- Water
- 18–21 °C
- Viz
- 5–20 m
- Sea
- moderate
- Rain
- low
- Water
- 18–21 °C
- Viz
- 5–20 m
- Sea
- moderate
- Rain
- low
- Water
- 19–21 °C
- Viz
- 5–20 m
- Sea
- moderate
- Rain
- low
- Water
- 19–22 °C
- Viz
- 5–15 m
- Sea
- moderate
- Rain
- low
- Water
- 20–23 °C
- Viz
- 5–15 m
- Sea
- rough
- Rain
- moderate
- Water
- 21–24 °C
- Viz
- 5–15 m
- Sea
- rough
- Rain
- moderate
- Water
- 22–25 °C
- Viz
- 5–15 m
- Sea
- rough
- Rain
- moderate
Signature dive sites
The sites you'll hear about in every briefing.
- 01
Port St Johns boat launches
Primary base for sardine run operators, boat-based open-water chase.
- 02
Mboyti
Alternative northern launch point during the peak run.
What you'll see
Top species with their April status.
Bronze Whaler Shark
Bryde's Whale
Humpback Whale
Bull Shark
Marine life by month
Peak Present Rare
Getting there
Gateway
Fly into East London (ELS) or Durban (DUR). Visa: Visa-free for many nationalities, 90 days.
Best months
Jun, Jul
Avoid
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec