Sardine Run Tours

6-Day / 7-Night Expedition Itinerary

Wild Coast, South Africa | Sunday to Sunday

Day 1 — Sunday: Arrival, Transfer and Expedition Briefing

Clients arrive at East London Airport and are welcomed by the Offshore Adventures team. The group transfers by road to The Dunes Beach Resort. After check-in, guests have time to settle in before a full welcome and orientation briefing. The briefing covers the Sardine Run, the week’s programme, boat and snorkelling safety, wildlife interaction guidelines, environmental practices, emergency procedures and daily departure arrangements. Guests are fitted with wetsuits, masks, snorkels and fins before enjoying dinner and a briefing for the first ocean day.

Included: airport transfer, accommodation, equipment fitting, welcome briefing and dinner.

Day 2 — Monday: Ocean Day 1 — Orientation and First Sardine Run Expedition

After an early breakfast, guests transfer to the launch site for a detailed beach, boat and surf-launch safety briefing. The crew begins searching the coastline for marine activity by monitoring dolphins, diving gannets, whale movement, currents and water conditions. When suitable activity is located, the skipper and guides assess visibility, currents and animal behaviour before allowing guests to enter the water. Possible sightings include dolphins, humpback whales, Bryde’s whales, Cape gannets, sharks, seals and sardine shoals. After the expedition, guests return to the accommodation for lunch, relaxation and a review of the day’s sightings.

Expected ocean time: approximately 4–6 hours, depending on conditions.

Day 3 — Tuesday: Ocean Day 2 — Following the Marine Migration

Following breakfast, the group heads back to sea for another full Sardine Run expedition. Because marine activity can move considerable distances overnight, the skipper may travel north, south or farther offshore depending on recent sightings and ocean conditions. Guests remain ready throughout the day, as wildlife action can develop quickly. When a feeding event or bait ball is found, the guides brief guests before each water entry and assist with safe entries and exits. After the expedition, the group returns to the accommodation to relax, review photographs and discuss the day’s marine behaviour.

Day 4 — Wednesday: Ocean Day 3 — Bait-Ball Search and Predator Encounters

After an early breakfast, the expedition launches for another full day at sea, focusing on locating active feeding events. Sardines may form tightly packed bait balls when pursued by dolphins, sharks, whales, gamefish and diving seabirds. Some encounters may last only minutes, while others may continue for longer periods, so guests may complete several shorter snorkelling entries rather than one long swim. During quieter moments, the guides share insights into the Sardine Run, dolphin hunting strategies, shark identification, whale migration and Wild Coast marine ecology.

Day 5 — Thursday: Ocean Day 4 — Offshore Exploration

Following breakfast and the daily safety briefing, the boat launches for another day of ocean exploration. Depending on the location of the marine activity, the expedition may travel farther offshore or cover a longer section of coastline. A quiet stretch of ocean can change rapidly when dolphins begin feeding or gannets gather above a sardine shoal, so guests must remain ready to enter the water when instructed by the guides. Guests who prefer not to enter during a particular encounter may remain on the boat and enjoy surface wildlife viewing.

Day 6 — Friday: Ocean Day 5 — Marine Wildlife and Citizen Science

The fifth ocean day combines wildlife exploration with marine observation and responsible-tourism education. Guests may assist the guides by recording species observed, approximate numbers, feeding behaviour, locations and weather or water conditions. Marine students and interested guests may participate in more detailed observational or citizen-science activities, depending on the programme and sea conditions. The boat continues searching for dolphins, whales, sharks, sardines, diving birds and other marine wildlife.

Day 7 — Saturday: Ocean Day 6 — Final Sardine Run Expedition

Saturday is the final ocean day of the expedition. After breakfast, the group travels to the launch site for one last full day at sea. The crew uses sightings from the previous days, current weather information and local reports to determine the most promising search area. The objective is to make the most of the final opportunity to experience the Sardine Run and enjoy suitable snorkelling and wildlife-viewing encounters. After returning to shore, guests wash and return their equipment before a farewell dinner and a review of the week’s highlights.

Included: final ocean expedition, accommodation and farewell dinner.

Day 8 — Sunday: Breakfast, Check-Out and Departure

Guests enjoy breakfast before checking out of the accommodation. The group transfers by road to East London Airport for onward flights. Guests should preferably book later departures to allow sufficient time for the transfer and check-in.

Included: breakfast and scheduled airport transfer.

Important Notes

• The Sardine Run is a natural wildlife event and sightings cannot be guaranteed.
• Daily launch times, routes and water entries depend on weather, sea conditions and safety.
• The skipper’s decision on launches and water entries is final.
• Alternative land-based or educational activities may be arranged when the ocean is not launchable.
• Guests should be comfortable swimmers with basic snorkelling ability.