Sardine Run hits the Cape Coast

Shoals of sardines migrate to South Africa's Wild Coast every year in June/July. The migration typically begins in the cooler waters off of Africa and the shoals run north-east into the warmer Indian Ocean.

These glimmering shoals of delicate sardines attract a plethora of marine life such as apex predators, seals, gannets, birds and fish.

The Sardine Run is one of nature's greatest events and it draws in divers, photographers and documentry filmmakers from around the globe. This marine spectacle attracts not only the human element but also a wealth of marine activity. And if that's not enough, the Sardine Run happens to coincide with the migration of Humpback Whales, which move north past Port St Johns on their 8000 km journey from Antarctica to Mozambique for breeding purposes. 

Once every 40 years (roughly) sardines get trapped in the current and land up on the shores along the coast of Cape Town. Over the past few weesk Capetonians have been lucky enough to witness part of the Sardine Run.  There have been sardines swimming on the shores of Hout Bay, Noordhoek and other beaches around the peninsular. Seals, seagulls, ducks and other mammals are drawn to the baitballs which provide an easy feast; equivalent to, perhaps, a sort of Ocean take-out joint. 

Despite having a tender head from the night before, I decided Sunday would be the ideal day to witness this event. I also figure it was one of those "once in a lifetime opportunities" and in 40 years time I'm not quite sure how my zimmerframe would handle beach sand. I grabbed my camera and headed for Hout Bay beach where sardines could be seen in their thousands. Scattered sardines lay among the debris littering the beach of Hout Bay and the shoreline glistened with shoals of sardines.  Seals, seagulls and ducks all flocked the ocean like starving hyenas and snacked away to their hearts content.Quite amazing and I didn't even venture into the water.

The best place to view mother nature's miracle is down on Hout Bay beach - and it's still happening. I met a bunch of Fisherman who drove from Gansbaai to experience the easiest catch of a lifetime. Get involved while you still can!


For diving packages to the Wild Coast Sardine Run please contact Animal Ocean on 079 488 5053.