SOUTH AFRICA | KWAZULU-NATAL | SOUTH COAST

THE SARDINE RUN

Once a year, between June and July the Sardines follow a cool north flowing current which moves in the opposite direction, next to the shore, of the warm south flowing Agulhus current. Large shoals of sardines with thousands upon thousands of these tiny fish move up the South Coast, starting at the Wild Coast and then venturing out sea just past Durban. The cooler current is critical to the passage. It is not a migration in the true sense as the sardines do not travel for feeding or breeding proposes. In research papers the Shoals moving north are referred to as a leakage and are believed to be only 2% of the holding stock based off the southern Cape coast. 

The Shoals are huge reaching about 4km in width and 15km in length. If the water temperature remains above 20˚ the sardines will stay in the cooler waters further south, or move northwards further offshore on the opposite side of the Agulhas current.

The sardines do not travel alone! Dolphins and game-fish feed ravenously amongst pockets of sardines whilst ever increasing numbers of hump-backed whales progress northwards for the purpose of dropping their calves in the warm waters off the Mozambique Channel.

The KZN South Coast has 2 world class dive sites, the Aliwal Shoal and the Protea Banks. Witnessing this enormous shoal from in the water is said to be amazing. Below the waves, the noise is deafening as the dolphins shoot past at an incredible pace, communicating with their distinctive echo-locating clicks.

The ALIWAL SHOAL, is a fossilized sand dune lying 4km out to sea off Umkomaas offers a great variety of marine life, from Nudibranchs to Manta Rays.  With numerous dive spots you will be spoilt for choice!  For the experienced diver, there are also two wrecks worth exploring, the 'Produce' and 'Nebo'. 

For the shark enthusiast, PROTEA BANKS, 8 km offshore from Shelly Beach is not to be missed!  In the summer months divers get the opportunity to dive with Bull (Zambezi) sharks, while Hammerheads are often spotted overhead.  Tiger, Blacktip and Guitar sharks also frequent this reef.  In the winter months divers get the pleasure of diving with Ragged-tooth sharks.  PROTEA BANKS also boasts a vast number of gamefish, including Barracuda, Yellowtail, Kingfish and Potato Bass.

Gannets circle high over the sardine shoals, then, one by one, in rapid succession, they plunge headlong into the sea reaching speeds approaching 150 km/h and making a huge splash, as they hit the surface and dive underwater, in order to catch their slippery prey.

Pods of the dolphins join together forming “super-pods” to herd the Sardines. The Sharks Board have reliably estimated that 20 000 dolphins follow the annual sardine run.

The Sardine Run  is an event for everyone to enjoy - be it bird watchers, marine-life enthusiasts, amateur or highly experienced divers or snorkellers. Experience the Sardine Run beneath the waves or above. Either way it has been described as one of the greatest marine spectacles on earth.
Tourism South Coast and the Southern Explorer are actively and continuously working to improve the quality of Tourism Product and the Tourist Experience on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast. Please contact either of these associations with any feedback - positive or negative - we are working for you! Please help us by sharing your experiences.

The Southern Explorer: info@southernexplorer.co.za
Toursim South Coast: info@tourismsouthcoast.co.za

THERE ARE 4 ACCREDITED AND 4 PILOT BLUE FLAG BEACHES ON THE SOUTH COAST.

THE BLUE FLAG IS AN EXCLUSIVE ECO-LABEL WITH STRICT CRITERIA DEALING WITH WATER QUALITY, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND INFORMATION, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND SAFETY.

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Serena Sampson