14-Day / 13-night Sardine Run Adventure

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 Cremorne Estate 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.

The upmarket lodge overlooks the river and has en-suite facilities. The restaurant and bar are awesome, enjoy a meal, some drinks & to chat to the dive team about diving the Sardine Run. Overnight Cremorne Estate, Port St. Johns, South Africa.

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 or relax at the bar. There are fantastic views and walks. In the evening enjoy a meal at the restaurant. Overnight Cremorne Estate, 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 Cremorne Estate 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.

Excluded

• Flights
• Airport Taxes
• Visas
• Passports
• Personal/Travel Insurance
• Tips / Gratuities (optional cost at guest’s personal discretion)

Dive Sites

• Aliwal Shoal, South Africa
• Port St. Johns, South Africa

Accommodation

• Blue Ocean Dive Resort, Aliwal Shoal, South Africa
• Cremorne Estate, Port St Johns, South Africa

Booking Conditions

NOTE: BEFORE BOOKING FLIGHTS, PLEASE CONFIRM AVAILABILITY FOR THE DATES YOU REQUIRE

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 20% 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

Sardine Run Transfers

NOTE: OUR SARDINE RUN PACKAGES INCLUDE ALL TRANSFERS!

Don’t be caught out by Sardine Run packages that don’t include ALL TRANSFERS.
Port St. Johns is 5-hours south of Durban and private transfers are expensive.
Our packages INCLUDE all transfers & transport that you will require during the Sardine Run.

When you arrive at King Shaka International Airport (Durban) (or other pick-up points), we will meet you and transfer you to our Resort & Dive Centre where you will overnight. The following morning, you will dive on Aliwal Shoal before we transferring to Port St. Johns.

The roads to Port St. Johns are fine for driving during the day but are not very safe at night due to the number of people and animals on the road as well as large pot-holes and lack of lighting which makes driving unsafe. The roads are through some very rural scenic areas and as we approach Port St. Johns, the views are amazing.

Flights & Airport Transfers

There are many daily flights to Durban International Airport (KSIA / DUR), some are direct international flights (Emirates via Dubai, Qatar via Doha, BA via Heathrow, Turkish Air via Istanbul).

There are daily flights to Durban from Johannesburg (JNB) or Cape Town (CPT)

Our packages include all transfers from Durban Airport to our Dive Resort and to Port St Johns for the Sardine Run.

ARRIVAL DAY: DAY-1 OF YOUR PACKAGE

• If you need to arrive at a different times, let us know so we can arrange this for you.
• Please Note : If your flight is delayed, please contact us so we can re-arrange your transfer!

DEPARTURE DAY: FINAL DAY OF YOUR PACKAGE

• Please Note : On the final day of your package you will depart Cremorne at 08h00.
• Flights need to be after 3PM for domestic and 4PM for international flights.
• Domestic / International Flights need to be planned accordingly to allow for check-in requirements of the airline!
• If you require additional accommodation we can arrange the accommodation for you.

Directions to Blue Ocean Dive Resort, South Africa

Our packages include ALL transfers during your stay with us so you don’t need to worry about how you will be getting to Umkomaas, however if you are wanting to arrive by car, we have plenty of parking at our Dive Resort.

Arriving by road from the North (Durban side)

Our Lodge is situated 50kms south of Durban and about 50-minutes south of Durban International Airport. Heading SOUTH on the N2, take the Mnini / Umgababa (Junction 128) off-ramp. At the top of the off-ramp turn LEFT towards to ocean. Continue straight to the Stop Street (T-Junction) and turn RIGHT. Continue straight along the road with the ocean on your left for about 8.5km. Turn LEFT at the Umkomaas turn-off, then at the Stop Street turn LEFT go under the bridge and at the first road turn RIGHT. We are immediately on the LEFT.

Arriving by road from the South (Port Shepstone side)

Our Lodge is situated 50kms south of Durban and about 50-minutes south of Durban International Airport. Heading NORTH on the N2, take the Umkomaas / Craigieburn off-ramp. At the top of the off-ramp turn RIGHT towards to ocean. Continue straight to the Stop Street (4-way stop) and turn RIGHT. When you see the soccer field on your right, turn LEFT at the next Stop Street. Continue down the hill and just before the bridge turn left into Reynold Street. We are immediately on the LEFT.

Directions to Cremorne Estate, South Africa

Our packages include ALL transfers during your stay with us so you don’t need to worry about how you will be getting to Port St Johns, however if you are wanting to arrive by car, we have plenty of parking at Cremorne Estate in Port St Johns, South Africa.

The roads towards Port St Johns are fine for driving during the day but are not very safe at night due to the numbers of people and animals on the road as well as large pot-holes which makes driving unsafe. Please plan your trip to arrive during the day. In June / July it gets dark between 17:00 (5pm) & 17:30 (5:30pm).

Arriving by road from the North (Durban side)

Travel on the N2 until you get to Ramsgate where you remain on the road but the road number will change to the R61. Continue on the R61 towards Port Edward where you will cross the bridge into the Eastern Cape. Continue on the R61 towards Bizana (approx. 55kms). Once you reach Bizana continue through the town. You will come to a T-Junction where you turn left. Continue on the R61 for approx. 28kms where you will come to a another T-Junction (next to a petrol station) where you turn left towards Flagstaff (approx. 32kms). When you reach Flagstaff, drive straight through the town and continue on the R61 towards Lusikisiki (approx. 44kms). When you reach Lusikisiki there is a traffic circle, take the 2nd exit and continue towards Port St Johns on the R61. About 5kms before Port St Johns and just before you cross over the Umzimvubu River, you will see a small sand road on your left with signs to Cremorne Estate, take this road for approx. 1km and Cremorne Estate will be on your right. Enter Cremorne Estate, parking is on your right and reception is on the left. Our team will be there to meet you.

Arriving by road from the South (East London side)

Travel on the N2 until you reach Umtata / Mthatha. When you reach the R61 take the turnoff towards Port St Johns. Travel along the R61 (approx. 93kms) and when you are approx. 5kms from Port St Johns you will turn left over the Umzimvubu River (towards Lusikisiki). As soon as you are over the bridge you will see a small sand road on your right with signs to Cremorne Estate, take this road for approx. 1km and Cremorne Estate will be on your right. Enter Cremorne Estate, parking is on your right and reception is on the left. Our team will be there to meet you.