Dive the Sardine Run 2027
The greatest Shoal on Earth
Sardine Run Adventure takes place at Blue Ocean Dive Resort, Aliwal Shoal, South Africa and in Port St. Johns, South Africa. From the moment you arrive we are your hosts, guides and dive guides for the duration of your Sardine Run Adventure. Our Sardine Run packages include airport transfers, transfers to and from Port St. Johns, accommodation, scuba diving and snorkelling!
- 2 Night's Accommodation
Blue Ocean Dive Resort - 6 Night's Accommodation
Port St Johns - Breakfast & Dinners
- 2 Reef Dives-Aliwal Shoal
- 5 Sardine Run Boat Days
- Boat Lunches on Sardine Run
- Weights & Cylinder (12/15L)
- Nitrox-Aliwal Shoal Only
- Return Airport Transfers
- Transfer from
Blue Ocean to Port St Johns
Package Info
Itinerary
Day 1 :
Arrive at Durban International Airport and Transfer to Blue Ocean Dive Resort in Umkomaas
When you arrive at Durban International Airport [KSIA / DUR] [or other pick-up points as required], we will meet you and transfer you to Blue Ocean Dive Resort which is situated in the diving village of Umkomaas about 80km south of Durban International Airport and about 50kms south of Durban.
When you arrive at Blue Ocean Dive Resort you will be checked into your room, then you can spend the day relaxing on the beach or around the pool and get to meet the team. In the late afternoon we will give you a briefing about the shark diving at the Aliwal Shoal. In the evening enjoy dinner in the on-site restaurant. Overnight Blue Ocean Dive Resort, Aliwal Shoal, South Africa including Breakfast.
Day 2 :
2 X Dives at Aliwal Shoal
The diving today will give you a chance to check your gear and get your weighting comfortable. Our shark dives during the Sardine Run take place on the reefs of the Aliwal Shoal in South Africa. During winter the reefs are home to hundreds of Ragged Tooth Sharks as well as a number of other shark species including Blacktip Sharks, Dusky Sharks, Copper Sharks [Bronze Whalers] and on occasion Tiger Sharks & Bull Sharks.
Day 3 :
Transfer to Accommodation in Port St Johns 10h00
After a leisurely breakfast and packing up your belongings and dive gear, (check that you have everything you need) you will then be transferred to Port St Johns [about a 4-hour drive].
Once there we check in to our accommodation, situated on the bank of the Umzimvubu River in Port St. Johns.
Day 4 – 8 :
5 full days Ocean Safari
Each morning we receive updates about the Sardine Run movements. We launch the boats around 7am and spend the day out at sea diving the Sardine Run. Get up close & personal with many species of marine animal including birds, dolphin, game fish, whales & sharks and millions of sardines.
The Sardine Run offers activity from the boat as well as in the water. We enter the water as many times as possible during the day, sometimes just on snorkel and other times on scuba, depending on how fast the action is moving and how comfortable the animals are as sometimes the bubbles from scuba diving chases the action away.
The Sardine Run is amazing, you are often surrounded by hundreds of dolphins, sharks, diving birds, whales, game fish, seals and millions of sardines. During the Sardine Run, the annual Humpback Whale migration passes Port St Johns, offering some amazing up-close sightings of the Humpback Whales in the water, close to the boats and when the whales are breaching!
In the late afternoon we return to shore where you can enjoy a local excursion, relax, take in the views, go for a walk or go have a meal. Overnight in Port St Johns, South Africa.
Day 9 :
Airport Transfers to Durban International Airport or extend your stay with an optional Big5 Safari
After breakfast you depart at 8am and transfer to Durban International Airport or chosen optional add-on Safari.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING FLIGHTS
Please Note : On the final day of your package you will arrive at Durban Airport at about 14:00 [2PM].
Domestic flights need to depart after 15:00 [3PM] & International Flights need to depart after 16:00 [4PM].
If you cannot get suitable flights, we can arrange overnight accommodation and airport transfers the following day.
Diver Sharing :
4100 Euro per diver
Single Diver :
4400 Euro per diver
- 2 Night's Accommodation
Blue Ocean Dive Resort - 11 Night's Accommodation
Port St Johns - Breakfast & Dinners
- 2 Reef Dives-Aliwal Shoal
- 10 Sardine Run Boat Days
- Boat Lunches on Sardine Run
- Weights & Cylinder (12/15L)
- Nitrox-Aliwal Shoal Only
- Return Airport Transfers
- Transfer from
Blue Ocean to Port St Johns
Package Info
Itinerary
Day 1 :
Arrive at Durban International Airport and Transfer to Blue Ocean Dive Resort in Umkomaas
When you arrive at Durban International Airport [KSIA / DUR] [or other pick-up points as required], we will meet you and transfer you to Blue Ocean Dive Resort which is situated in the diving village of Umkomaas about 80km south of Durban International Airport and about 50kms south of Durban.
When you arrive at Blue Ocean Dive Resort you will be checked into your room, then you can spend the day relaxing on the beach or around the pool and get to meet the team. In the late afternoon we will give you a briefing about the shark diving at the Aliwal Shoal. In the evening enjoy dinner in the on-site restaurant. Overnight Blue Ocean Dive Resort, Aliwal Shoal, South Africa including Breakfast.
Day 2 :
2 X Dives at Aliwal Shoal
The diving today will give you a chance to check your gear and get your weighting comfortable. Our shark dives during the Sardine Run take place on the reefs of the Aliwal Shoal in South Africa. During winter the reefs are home to hundreds of Ragged Tooth Sharks as well as a number of other shark species including Blacktip Sharks, Dusky Sharks, Copper Sharks [Bronze Whalers] and on occasion Tiger Sharks & Bull Sharks.
Day 3 :
Transfer to Accommodation in St Johns 10h00
After a leisurely breakfast and packing up your belongings and dive gear, (check that you have everything you need) you will then be transferred to Port St Johns [about a 4-hour drive].
Once there we check in to our accommodation, situated on the bank of the Umzimvubu River in Port St. Johns.
Day 4 – 13 :
10 full days Ocean Safari
Each morning we receive updates about the Sardine Run movements. We launch the boats around 7am and spend the day out at sea diving the Sardine Run. Get up close & personal with many species of marine animal including birds, dolphin, game fish, whales & sharks and millions of sardines.
The Sardine Run offers activity from the boat as well as in the water. We enter the water as many times as possible during the day, sometimes just on snorkel and other times on scuba, depending on how fast the action is moving and how comfortable the animals are as sometimes the bubbles from scuba diving chases the action away.
The Sardine Run is amazing, you are often surrounded by hundreds of dolphins, sharks, diving birds, whales, game fish, seals and millions of sardines. During the Sardine Run, the annual Humpback Whale migration passes Port St Johns, offering some amazing up-close sightings of the Humpback Whales in the water, close to the boats and when the whales are breaching!
In the late afternoon we return to shore where you can enjoy a local excursion, relax, take in the views, go for a walk or go have a meal. Overnight in Port St Johns, South Africa.
Day 14 :
Airport Transfers to Durban International Airport or extend your stay with an optional Big5 Safari
After breakfast you depart at 8am and transfer to Durban International Airport or chosen optional add-on Safari.
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING FLIGHTS
Please Note : On the final day of your package you will arrive at Durban Airport at about 14:00 [2PM].
Domestic flights need to depart after 15:00 [3PM] & International Flights need to depart after 16:00 [4PM].
If you cannot get suitable flights, we can arrange overnight accommodation and airport transfers the following day.
Diver Sharing :
6500 Euro per diver
Single Diver :
6900 Euro per diver
Blue Ocean Dive Resort is the premier dive operator on Aliwal Shoal
you are assured of only the best service.
Dive sites
- Aliwal Shoal, South Africa
- Port St. Johns, South Africa
Accommodation
- Blue Ocean Dive Resort – Aliwal Shoal
- Coming soon - Port St Johns
Package Details
- Maximum of 8 divers per boat
- No students on the boat
- Experienced Shark Guides
Excluded
- Flights
- Airport Taxes
- Visas
- Passports
- Personal/Travel Insurance
- Gear Hire (available from Blue Ocean Dive Resort)
- Tips / Gratuities (optional cost at guest’s personal discretion)
Check availability
NOTE: BEFORE BOOKING FLIGHTS, PLEASE CONFIRM AVAILABILITY FOR THE ROTATION DATES
We do try to keep the availability up-to-date but sometimes due to logistics we are not able to keep the availability current.
Once we receive your enquiry, we will confirm availability by email and send you all the booking information.
To confirm your booking we require a 30% non-refundable deposit.
Final payment is required 6-weeks before the start date of your Sardine Run package. We accept credit card payments & bank transfers.
Exchange Rates – latest exchange rates www.xe.com
NOTE: THE NON-DIVER PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE GOING OUT ON THE BOAT
8 Nights/9 Days Package
Available dates:
- 17 June – 25 June 2027
- 23 June – 1 July 2027
- 29 June – 7 July 2027
- 5 July – 13 July 2027
13 Nights/14 Days Package
Available dates:
- 17 June – 30 June 2027
- 23 June – 6 July 2027
- 29 June – 12 July 2027
- 5 July – 18 July 2027
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING FLIGHTS
Please Note : On the final day of your package you will arrive at Durban Airport at about 14:00 [2PM].
Domestic flights need to depart after 15:00 [3PM] & International Flights need to depart after 16:00 [4PM].
If you cannot get suitable flights, we can arrange overnight accommodation at Blue Ocean Dive Resort and airport transfers the following day.
