Itinerary

Last years Sardine Run was an qualified success.

We were based in East London, and all 7 of our clients who made up the expedition which ran from June 18 through June 25, definitely hit the jack-pot. Daniel Botelho, a professional underwater photographer from Brazil said after his first day at sea:-  www.danielbotelho.com

“If I don’t see another fish for the duration of this Sardine Run I’ve enough images taken on the first day to make the whole expedition worthwhile”.

He was so thrilled with his first week, that he stayed on for a second week!

We can’t guarantee you that type of success on the first day, but no matter what Mother Nature throws at us we will do the utmost to make sure your time spent on the Sardine Run will be a memorable one.

The Sardine Run is a natural phenomenon which can take place any time from mid-May, through the whole month of June, through to about mid-July. The shoals could appear anywhere from just south of Port Elizabeth to north of Durban. An area stretching over 1 500 km’s of mainly rugged, inaccessible coast, with very limited access to the beaches by road. The trick is to try and be at the right place and at the right time, nobody can foresee both of those, so the Sardine Run is a bit of a lottery. The only “given” is that the water temperature must drop to below 19ºC in order for the Sardines to “run”.

With 10 years experience of doing the Sardine Run, from being based at Margate on the Kwa Zulu/Natal south coat, to being based at Mbotyi on the Transkei Coast, to being based at Port St Johns, we have come to the conclusion that by being based in East London, we stand the best chance of being part of this amazing spectacle of nature.

Its not all about being in the middle of a huge shoal of Sardines and getting to witness a bait-ball, although that would be first prize. Its about being out at sea, amongst the thousands of  predators. Sharks, whales, dolphins, seals, gannets, petrels, cormorants, penguins etc. All of whom are waiting for the same thing that we are waiting for. The shoals of Sardines. Even if the Sardines don’t arrive, the sea is alive with animals and birds, and this alone is a spectacle of a lifetime.

The Sardine Run expedition is therefore aimed at the nature enthusiasts who want to be close to where the action is likely to be, with the idea being that unless you are out at sea for most of the day you are not going to be part of the action!!
 
The 2010 Sardine Run Expedition will be 7 nights / 8 days adventure. Starting on Tuesday, June 8 and finishes on Tuesday, June 15, 2010. Days Wednesday, June 9 thru to Monday, June 14  are boating days, weather permitting.
 
The itinerary is as follows:-

Day 01
Tuesday, June 8, 2010:
Arrive at East London Airport, own arrangements. On arrival you will be met by Dive The Big 5 and you will transfer to your hotel. Rest of the afternoon free. Overnight at a hotel in East London on a dinner bed and breakfast basis. The exact hotel will depend on availability at the time of booking.
Included: Transfers; dinner; overnight accommodation.
Not included: Domestic air; lunch; bar; items of a personal nature.
 
Day's 02 to 07
Wednesday, June 9 to Monday, June 14, 2010:
Sardine Run boating day, weather permitting. See itinerary below. Overnight at a hotel in East London on a dinner bed and breakfast basis.
Included: breakfast; transfers; full day at sea; tanks, weights & air; aerial spotter support; services of a Marine Biologist; packed lunch on the boat; dinner; evening presentation; overnight accommodation.
Not included: Dive equipment other than weights, tank and air; nitrox; bar; items of a personal nature. 
 
Day 08
Tuesday, June 15 2010:
After breakfast you will transfer back to East London Airport. End of services.
Included: breakfast; transfers.
Not included: Domestic air; lunch; dinner; overnight accommodation.
 
A typical Sardine Run boating day itinerary will be as follows:-
 
06h00 – 07h00: Breakfast.
06h00 – 07h00: Kit collection from cottages.
07h00 – 07h30: Divers proceed to launch site
07h30 – 08h30: Boat launch, could be river or beach launch depending on the tide.
14h00 – 15h00: Return to shore.
17h30: Dive planning and evening presentation on specified evenings.
18h00: Dinner.
 
Each of the 6 dive days will have the same itinerary, weather permitting, and the evenings presentation will differ on each day but will be on a subject directly related to the Sardine Run.

Please note:
Should weather prevent us from launching on any of the 6 boating days there will be no refund as this expedition is sold on a package basis.

Costs: Valid for 2010 - from 1 January to 31 December 2010

Cost:
ZAR 27 665 net, per person sharing.

A single supplement will apply for single accommodation.
 
The above cost includes; all accommodation on a shared basis; meals as specified; all dives as indicated; the hire of weight belts, weights, tanks and all air-fills; all indicated transfers; services of a local dive master to lead all dives; services of a micro light spotter plane; Sardine run / marine biologist to lead expedition and to give daily evening presentation; 14% VAT. 
The above cost excludes; International and domestic air-fares; all items of a personal nature; drinks; gratuities; porterage; tours and transfers etc. not specified in the itinerary; the hire of all diving equipment other than weights, weight belts, tanks and air-fills; cancellation, baggage or medical insurance; visas; new Government taxes; DAN Insurance.

Note:
A minimum of 4 divers is needed in order to ensure that the above expedition takes place on the dates as detailed above.

Please also remember that the 2010 Sardine Run falls during the same period as FIFA’s 2010 Soccer World Cup. Air and hotel accommodation is going to be at a premium. If you leave this to the last minute you are not going to get space – even if the Sardines do run!