Shark and sardine baitball with divers, Sardine Run, South Africa

Photo © Shark Explorers

31.6°S 29.5°E · Indian Ocean, Wild Coast of KwaZulu-Natal

Adventure Educational trip Land-based stay

South Africa

At the heart of the Sardine Run, one of the planet’s greatest spectacles

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Dates & availability

30 June to 10 July 2027 4 spots

Location South Africa

Duration 10 nights / 9 days

Level All levels comfortable in the water, an active trip, mostly freediving (snorkelling)

From €4,950

Per diver, based on shared double room; €5,182 in single. Full board at the Jetty River Lodge.

The expedition

Along the Wild Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, the austral winter triggers the Sardine Run: billions of sardines move north, drawing dolphins, sharks, whales and seabirds into a perfectly orchestrated frenzy. Ten nights on site, nine full days in the water, small group and private boat to experience the action from the inside. Nothing is scripted: it is all raw, wild and unpredictable.

The headline encounter

The baitballs: the coordinated hunt of the great predators

What you see

Underwater, in South Africa.

Baitballs

Dolphins

Sharks

Whales

Seabirds hunting

What you do

What you’ll do — or can do.

Freediving entries (snorkelling)
Talks and debriefs
Week filmed by a videographer
Land excursions if weather permits
Scuba entries if conditions are optimal
9 FULL days at sea to live the Sardine Run to the fullest

The journey

Day by day.

29 June

Flight to South Africa (Durban) from Europe.

30 June

Arrival in Durban, transfer to Port St Johns (6 h drive), check-in at the Jetty River Lodge, briefings.

1 to 9 July

Sardine Run: 9 full days at sea from 7 am (baitballs, birds, dolphins, whales…), multiple freediving entries, talks at 5 pm. Land excursions if the weather is unfavourable.

10 July

Transfer to Durban and return flight to Europe.

Good to know

Before you go.

Austral winter, cool and damp

Water: 20 to 22 °C Air: 18 to 23 °C
The boat

Private RIB, max. 8 divers
Wetsuit

5 to 7 mm full wetsuit, hood and gloves
Seasickness

Bring seasickness tablets

Conservation

Going further.

Every evening, talks and debriefs led by two naturalist guides decode this unique phenomenon and sharpen the reading of hunting strategies and marine dynamics. The whole week is filmed by a professional videographer.

The trip