Location: Port St. Johns on the Wild Coast of South Africa
The South African Sardine Run
“The greatest shoal on earth!”
The South African sardine run
Possibly the most spectacular event you will ever have the chance to witness in the ocean, the world famous Sardine Run is an epic migration of millions of baitfish along the coast of Southern Africa. This yearly spectacle attracts marine mega fauna in their thousands. You may see enormous whales, schools of sharks, super-pods of dolphins and flocks of diving birds, all feasting on the river of fish at the same time. Witness nature in all its glory!
PLUS…
The wild coast shark safari
Weather permitting, when the action is slow we will chum for offshore pelagic shark species. Anything can show up on the Wild Coast but the three species that we regularly attract are bronze whaler sharks, dusky sharks and oceanic blacktip sharks.
If the visibility is suitable inshore, we will also reef dive to see ragged tooth sharks aka sandtiger sharks. There are one or two reefs close to Port Saint John where these ferocious looking sharks sometimes gather in great numbers.
THE ENCOUNTER
Scuba diving and snorkeling around giant bait balls with sharks, dolphins and whales. Plus shark diving on South Africa’s ‘Wild Coast’
2025
DATE
June 30-July 10 4 SPOTS AVAILABLE
PRICE (USD)
$5,695 per person double occupancy
$5,895 per person single occupancy
LEADER
Jennifer Idol
2026
DATE
June 30-July 10 7 SPOTS AVAILABLE
PRICE (USD)
$TBA per person double occupancy
$TBA per person single occupancy
LEADER
Jennifer Idol
2027
DATE
June 30-July 10 8 SPOTS AVAILABLE
PRICE (USD)
$TBA per person double occupancy
$TBA per person single occupancy
LEADER
Jennifer Idol
DETAILS
ACCOMMODATION
Land based lodge
EXPERIENCE LEVEL
Intermediate. Open Water certification required. Must have good buoyancy and be comfortable around big animals.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- 10 Nights accommodation in Port St Johns
- All meals while in PSJ
- Airport transfers from Durban
- Daily transfers to launch site
- 9 mornings of chasing bait balls attended by dolphins, whales and sharks
- Spotter plane
- Occasional afternoon shark feeds and reefndives whenever logistics permit
- Professional Dive Guide
- Weights and tanks
- All meals & hot and cold drinks
NOT INCLUDED
- Flights
- Alcohol
- Personal dive gear
- Crew gratuities
- Spotter plane rides (if you want to see the Sardine Run from a different perspective)
ITINERARY
| Day 1 | Pick up at noon at Durban Airport and transfer to our lodge in Port Saint Johns. |
| Days 2-10 | Weather permitting, each day we will head out on our sturdy RIB and hunt for birds diving on bait balls. Even if we do not immediately locate bait balls, we will likely still encounter transiting whales and dolphins to free dive with.
On some afternoons we will head to the reef and look for raggedtooth sharks or catsharks or chum offshore for pelagic species such as dusky sharks, bronze whalers and smooth hammerheads. Our daily movements will be based on the latest reports from our spotter plane and from local boats that we communicate with. |
| Day 11 | Early morning transfer to Durban Airport. |
Ready to sign up or have a question about this trip?
Contact Big Fish about this Expedition
Delivering world-class wildlife encounters since 2010
Big Fish Expeditions Founder Andy Murch has spent the last three decades chasing big animals all over the world. Few people have Andy’s knowledge and organizational skills necessary to put together a professional expedition. Have a look through some of the comments from our guests: testimonials.
Guest Feedback
GO. YOU WILL NEVER REGRET IT!
I have been on 3 Big Fish Expeditions trips by now and have more trips to look forward to in the near future. First of all I share a big passion for sharks, whale and other big marine life and Big Fish Expedition is all about that. As an amateur photographer is great to be among equals and even better to get new tips and ideas from professionals.
Andy is very helpful showing new tricks and talk about UW photography in between dives. Sure the destinations offers world class diving but it’s also about the people and the relation to people and Andy surely gives everyone the feeling of being very welcome and try to give everyone a lifetime experience.
Another good thing is that Andy is maybe the only pro shooters who offers trips to very reasonable prices. I won’t go into details about all the good dives I’ve done with Big Fish but instead say GO, you will never regret it!
Br, Rasmus Raahauge
Denmark
AMAZING TRIPS
Amazing trips, just finish my 7th with Big Fish Expeditions, many more to come! 
Sene M.
Canada
ANOTHER GREAT ADVENTURE WITH BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
Just returned from my second trip with BFE and it went off perfectly. The true adventure of these trips always present challenging logistics but they pulled it off flawlessly. I would highly recommend BFE to anyone looking to get “off the grid” and experience a wildlife trip of a lifetime. I am looking forward to my next adventure with them. Thanks again!!
Scott O.
Detroit, Michigan
ABOUT BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
5 stars!
I’ve been on three trips with Big Fish Expeditions. Each one was well organized and jam packed with unique wildlife encounters. I am booked for another trip next year and for many more to come. Highly recommended!!
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING TIME WITH BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
Andy is one of the best in the business. I would highly, highly recommend anyone interested in an animal focused trip to go with big fish expeditions.
The quality of experience and knowledge of the trip leader really sets them apart. Expect to get your fill of animals no matter what the trip is. Andy is also great at finding other animals to incorporate within the trips.
If you’re looking for a shark trip or big animal experience, this is your place. Period.
Enjoy!
Jesse B.
Ontario, Canada
BIG FISH EXPEDITIONS
I have been on a couple of Big Fish Photography Expeditions trips now. They are always well organized, and exceed my expectations! Andy puts together unique and action-packed trips. I’m looking forward to my next dive experience with him.
Trisha S.
Vancouver, BC
