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Sardine Run 5 Star Option

GweGwe Beach Lodge, Mkambati Nature Reserve, South Africa

The Sardine Run
The Greatest Shoal on Earth

The sardine run off southern Africa’s shoreline occurs from June through July when billions of sardines spawn in the waters off the Agulhas Bank and then congregate and move northward along the east coast of South Africa.

The best place to view the sardine run is between Port St Johns and Port Edward in June and July. Mkambati is right at the heart of the action! The sheer number of sardines (sometimes a shoal will be many kilometres long) creates a feeding frenzy along the coastline where every conceivable predator feasts on the migrating fish – both in the sea and from the air. Schools of thousands of dolphins, sharks and Bryde’s whales are common at this time of year.

GweGwe is a registered boat launch site and our guests will be able to travel out to sea to view and photograph this spectacle, as well as snorkel and scuba dive in the warm waters and at some of the offshore reefs. And maybe even a bit of offshore sightseeing, fishing for the pot (within the designated fishing area) and whale watching (if regulations permit).

GweGwe Beach Lodge
Mkambati Reserve, Wild Coast

Set within the 7,500-hectare Mkambati Nature Reserve, the lodge’s private concession is a protected area known for its diverse ecosystems, including coastal forests, grasslands, and riverine habitats, with so many fascinating pockets to explore. View the property.

Sample Itinerary

Day1:

Land at or drive to Margate, road transfer to Port Edward (30 minutes) and boat to GweGwe (75mins). Overnight in GweGwe’s luxury suites.

Day 2-5:

GweGwe with daily full or half day sardine snorkelling including early morning spotter helicopter and the option of reserve-based activities (MTB, kayaks, Sups) at any time, all equipment hire etc included.

Day 6:

Morning in GweGwe or with a last reserve based activity and fly out to Margate by helicopter (25 mins) to land in Margate in time for the CemAir flight back to Johannesburg – or road transfer to Durban.

2025 Rates:
Please send a request for rates.

For more information
Contact:
Dive Discovery
@
1 800 886-7321
(415) 444-5100
or
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