Imagine the ocean suddenly boiling with life: silver flashes below the surface, jagged black fins cutting through the water, and a thunder of wings spearheading the sky. That is the Sardine Run — one of the planet’s most dramatic wildlife events — when vast shoals of sardines move along South Africa’s southeast coast and draw an all-star cast of predators. From aerial gannets and shearwaters to acrobatic dolphins and circling sharks, every surface and airspace becomes part of a raw, cinematic hunt.
What you’ll see
- Massive bait balls: Sardines gather in dense, swirling formations called bait balls. Up close — from a boat, kayak or the surface while snorkeling — these bait balls are dizzyingly tight, alive with frantic movement.
- Hunting dolphins: Common and bottlenose dolphins are often the first to find the shoals, driving and corralling sardines into concentrated pockets.
- Diving seabirds: Cape gannets and other seabirds plunge like missiles from the sky, creating thunderous splashes and vertical columns of activity.
- Sharks and other predators: Bronze whaler and other shark species patrol the edges and plunge into the fray. Seabirds and dolphins sometimes work in near-perfect coordination to herd their prey.
Where it happens
The Sardine Run follows cold, nutrient-rich currents along the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal coastline. Coastal towns along this stretch — from Port St. Johns and East London in the Eastern Cape to hubs in KwaZulu-Natal such as Durban — serve as launch points for guided excursions. Operators range from small, specialized dive and snorkel charters to larger wildlife-boat outfits offering panoramic viewing.
How to experience it best
- Book with reputable operators: Choose licensed operators with experienced skippers and naturalist guides who prioritize safety and wildlife welfare.
- Be flexible: The run is a natural, unpredictable event. Operators monitor sightings daily; staying in-region for several days raises the odds of an encounter.
- Choose your vantage: Boats offer broad views