Group 1
10 – 15 June 2026
6 spaces · R 60,000 pp
Fixed small group, all-inclusive, photographer-led. No guests swapped in or out mid-trip.
Reserve this group
2026 Departures · Port St Johns
Six fixed small-group expeditions.
Six 6-day sardine run charters from Port St Johns, each capped at six guests, all-inclusive at R 60,000 per person. Each group is fixed — no rotating divers mid-trip — with dedicated reset days between departures. More days on the water means a higher chance of peak baitball action; the run is unpredictable and weather can cost a day, so book early and book the dates that suit you.
New here? Read our field guide to the sardine run or our Port St Johns vs Umkomaas comparison before you book.
2026 Departures
Pick the dates that suit you.
Per guest
R 60,000
Duration
6 days
Group size
Max 6
Per day
R 10,000
All-inclusive. 2-day crew reset between every group. 8-day, 10-day, private full-charter and full-season bookings available on request.
Group 2
18 – 23 June 2026
6 spaces · R 60,000 pp
Fixed small group, all-inclusive, photographer-led. No guests swapped in or out mid-trip.
Reserve this groupGroup 3
26 June – 1 July 2026
6 spaces · R 60,000 pp
Fixed small group, all-inclusive, photographer-led. No guests swapped in or out mid-trip.
Reserve this groupGroup 4
4 – 9 July 2026
6 spaces · R 60,000 pp
Fixed small group, all-inclusive, photographer-led. No guests swapped in or out mid-trip.
Reserve this groupGroup 5
12 – 17 July 2026
6 spaces · R 60,000 pp
Fixed small group, all-inclusive, photographer-led. No guests swapped in or out mid-trip.
Reserve this groupGroup 6
20 – 25 July 2026
6 spaces · R 60,000 pp
Fixed small group, all-inclusive, photographer-led. No guests swapped in or out mid-trip.
Reserve this group
Fixed Small Groups
Six guests. No rotation.
Each expedition is a fixed small group of six — no rotating divers mid-trip — with dedicated reset days between groups. That means the same crew briefings, the same boat positioning logic, the same divers in the water from day one to day six. Trip rhythm compounds; you spend day six diving with people you already trust.
More days on the water raises your odds. The sardine run is wild and weather-driven; a single day can be lost to swell. Six days of fixed group time inside the migration window is the floor we recommend — extend with an 8-day or 10-day booking if you want greater margin against weather.
Reserve your placeAll-inclusive
What's included.
R 60,000 per guest covers everything below. No hidden costs, no surprise add-ons.
- Daily boat-based dives during peak baitball activity
- Aerial microlight spotting to locate baitballs before surface signs appear
- Beachside lodge accommodation
- All meals & ground transfers
- Marine guide & in-water safety crew
- Dive accident cover is NOT included — all guests must hold their own valid DAN Southern Africa cover (or equivalent) for their expedition. It's quick and inexpensive; we'll guide you after booking.
- Tanks, weights & weight belts
- Daily marine briefings & dive planning
- Surface support and topwater spotting
Daily Rhythm
A day on the water.
06:30
Briefing & surf launch
Crew briefing over coffee, gear check, surf launch from the Umzimvubu River mouth. The microlight is up by first light, radioing baitball coordinates to the boats.
07:00 – 14:00
The hunt
Daily 7-hour window on the water following the action. Negative entries onto baitballs, dolphin super-pods, gannet dives and predator passes.
~15:00
Return & debrief
Surf landing, gear rinse, lunch at the lodge. Daily image review, weather and tide planning for the next morning.
Optional
Add-ons & customisation.
8-day and 10-day expeditions, private full-charter (sole-use of the vessel) and full-season bookings are quoted on request. Tell us what you need on the booking form.
Gear rental — BCD, regulator & cylinders
R 500 / day
Extended 8-day or 10-day expeditions
On request
Private full-charter (sole-use of vessel)
On request
Full-season charter (Jun – Jul)
On request
Gear rental covers BCD, regulator and cylinders only. Bring your own mask, fins, wetsuit and dive computer — or contact us for additional rental options.
Spaces released first-confirmed