Join ALIWAL DIVE CENTRE for an amazing fun filled trip on the Sardine Run. Our staff has over 20 years’ experience on the Sardine Run, so we know our stuff!

This is an annual event that takes place along the ‘Transkei Wild Coast’, coast line. During the months of June & July, cold currents move inshore allowing the sardines to move along the east coast of South Africa basically a range extension, in the cold nutrient rich water. Apart from the sardine bait balls that one can see, there is also the annual migration of the Humpback whales that are heading north to give birth. There are super pods of Common dolphin, thousands of Cape gannets, Bottle nose dolphin and sharks galore.

This event known by BBC as ‘The greatest shoal on earth’ is an adventure for everyone, whether you are a diver or a non diver. All nature lovers and adrenalin enthusiasts will thoroughly enjoy this amazing spectacle of nature.

We operate from Wavecrest Hotel and Spa along the Southern Transkei, Wild Coast and have been doing the sardine run on this coast line for over 20 years, therefore our skippers and dive guides have an extensive knowledge and experience of where to find the best “action” for our clients.

Wavecrest is the only lodge in the area and is well removed from the busy, somewhat commercialized hub for the Sardine Run (Port St John’s) – we are one of only two operators at Wavecrest. This means slow and steady is the way to go as there is no overcrowding or rush when we come across Sardine bait balls. Allowing you to have enough time to enjoy the action without having to share with numerous other boats.

Wavecrest has a bar area, TV room, snooker room, SPA, tennis and squash court, swimming pool and many other activities, such as hikes, canoe trips and sundowner trips on the awesome estuary. The whole lodge looks straight down the bay to the ocean, giving you the most spectacular sunrises. All rooms are en-suite with family room options available. This lodge is rural and therefore cell phone signal is intermittent, but the lodge has Wi-Fi. Being on its own and away from any big towns the lodge is safe, giving you the option to explore the area and beautiful beaches on your own after your day’s Sardine action. This place is Africa, how it should be – come and see for yourself and relax.

The greatest shoal on earth’

Included in the Package

• 6 Days of diving/snorkelling/boat based viewing.
  {Duration of time spent out at sea is determined by activity and weather}
• 7 nights accommodation with dinner, bed & breakfast
• Lunch pack and refreshments for boat trip
• Cylinder and air fill
• Weights and weight belt
• Boat fuel included
• Experienced and qualified team of skipper and dive guide / boat guide
• Shared aerial information
• Return transfer from East London airport

Excluded

• Flights & taxes
• Passports & visas
• Personal insurance
• Lunch at the resort
• Drinks
• Equipment hire of: BCD, Regulator, Wetsuit, Mask & Fins.
  We have a full range available should you require any gear. Kindly notify us up front to secure your equipment needs.
• Items of a personal nature
• Gratuities (10% of your trip price is recommended for your skipper and dive guide)
• Transfers can be arranged on request if required. Kindly contact us for details and costs.

A typical day looks as follows

• A buffet breakfast at 6:30 am, after which you will get into your wetsuits.
• We will then launch the boat and look for sardine action according to the daily sardine reports and updates that we receive.
• We will spend the day out at sea looking for and interacting with sardine bait balls and/or other marine life, ie whales , dolphins , sharks etc. The action we get will determine how we engage and interact with the animals, ie scuba dive on stationary bait balls, snorkel on fast moving bait balls, whales and dolphins and boat based viewing in low visibility. So there is always something to see.
• The length of a sea day is determined by the action that we get and weather/sea conditions.

Things to bring

• Sun block
• Hat
• Warm waterproof jacket for the boat
• Sea sick tablets

All prices exclude equipment hire.

View our Terms & Conditions by clicking here.

The Full Experience

7 NIGHT 6 DAY package

(Dinner, Bed & Breakfast)
Price is based on a per person sharing rate.
Arrival and departure days will be non-sea days.

Sardine Run Aliwal Add-On

Includes:

2 Nights accommodation at the Aliwal Dive Centre
Bed & Breakfast
2 Reef Dives on the Aliwal Shoal
Air, cylinder and weights/belts