South Africa’s iconic Sardine Run, one of the most extraordinary wildlife spectacles on the planet, unfolds along South Africa’s East Coast each winter. The seasonal marine migration of billions of these small silvery fish between late May and July is associated with a drop in sea temperature during winter. This creates a narrow band of cooler water along the coastline, attracting the sardines. And, while the migration is also strongly influenced by ocean currents, it remains one of nature’s great enigmas, as the exact drivers behind the Sardine Run are still not fully understood.
“This thrilling phenomenon is as spectacular as it is unpredictable, as no two seasons are the same due to the variation in timing and scale,” says Shaun Lamont, Managing Director of First Group Hotels and Resorts. It attracts tourists, researchers, and locals alike, offering an unforgettable glimpse into one of nature’s most awe-inspiring events as kilometres of sardines, pursued by massive numbers of predators, spark a marine feeding frenzy. The sheer scale and energy of it all make it a true bucket-list experience.”
The migration typically starts off along the Transkei coast in the Eastern Cape and moves up the Wild Coast and along the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast. Most years, the run doesn’t extend much beyond Durban, as warmer water temperatures and strong currents tend to disperse the shoals. “It’s also important to note that the Sardine Run isn’t one long, continuous shoal,” explains Lamont. “Rather, it consists of multiple shoals arriving at different times, varying in size and location, and typically spans a period of four to six weeks.”
Lamont believes the Sardine Run earns a spot on any adventurer’s bucket list and offers five compelling reasons why :
1. It’s a marine safari like no other
The Sardine Run surpasses even the great wildebeest migration in volume – it’s nature at full throttle and every avid angler’s dream. Game fish like tuna, mackerel, dorado and even marlin follow the sardines, and boat and dive operators offer fishing charters and dive excursions so you can come face-to-face with this ‘Greatest Shoal on Earth’. And for the fishermen…hook into something special here and you’ll have bragging rights for life. It’s the stuff that makes for legendary photos and even better stories.
2. It’s one of nature’s last untamed events
No tanks, no feeding times, no human control. Just raw nature happening in real time. It’s a rare chance to see a wild marine event up close and personal.
3. Boosting Coastal Communities
Every year, the Sardine Run draws local tourists and visitors from around the world to the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast. Accommodation providers see high occupancy rates during the season, which usually coincides with school holidays. Restaurants and local businesses also benefit from the influx, making it one of the region’s key tourism highlights.
4. It’s a photographer’s dream
From swirling bait balls and breaching whales to leaping dolphins and the golden light of early mornings on the ocean, the Sardine Run offers some of the most amazing photo opportunities in nature. For those with an underwater lens, these massive shoals create once-in-a-lifetime shots, so whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just love capturing your holiday’s memories, there’s no shortage of unforgettable sights.
5. See it while the sardines still run
Scientists have observed a gradual delay in the timing of the shoals as ocean waters warm. While the event still dazzles each year, this unpredictability adds some urgency because even the ‘Greatest Shoal on Earth’ is vulnerable to a changing climate.
So, if you’ve never witnessed the Sardine Run, perhaps this is the year to do it. Whether you choose to experience it from the beach watching excited locals haul in nets of fish, venture out by boat, or see it from the air during a helicopter ride, visitors are guaranteed an unforgettable experience.
And comfortable, family-friendly accommodation options in prime South Coast locations place you right in the heart of the action. Properties like Margate Sands, La Côte d’Azur, and Costa Smeralda in Margate, or Club Hacienda in Shelly Beach, offer front-row views for making magical, lasting memories.
“There’s something humbling about standing on the edge of the ocean watching one of nature’s greatest marvels unfold,” concludes Lamont, “and the Sardine Run reminds you just how wonderful our planet still is.”
To book your accommodation for the Sardine Run, visit www.firstgroup-sa.co.za