If you like the following, this trip might be for you:
Boiling Ocean
Every year in Spring billions of sardines spawn in the cold waters before moving northwards along the East coast of South Africa. This migration open the floodgates for one of the most thrilling nature spectacles in the world. A mix of hunter and prey, makes the ocean seem to be boiling.
Travel with Pros
With over 20 years of Sardine Run experience, combined with local knowledge of the area and animals, Pro Dive provides you with the highest probability of encountering the densest displays of the Sardine Run action, with even a spotter plane to scan the waters for the best encounters.
Insane Diversity
The diversity this trip has to offer is truly unparalleled. Diving birds, huge pods of dolphins (sometimes numbering in their thousands!), multiple shark species, migrating whales: it's all here. To encounter one of these species alone would be a joy, to see them all together hunting the same prey is just total madness.
Small Group
This trip is intimate. Each boat only hosts 8 people, making the action not only controllable, but also guaranteeing space and time for every guest to enjoy the spectacle. We want to safeguard small circles, away from the crowds ensuring the most authentic experiences.
Advanced Trip
The pace of the search and getting in and out the water makes this trip quite intense. The trip is mostly snorkeling, but when static baitballs appear scuba is allowed. Although the hours of searching, waves, rough seas are definitely worth it, they definitely require a good physical condition.
Conservation
Respect for wildlife is an absolute priority both for us and everyone we work with. During this adventure we make sure animals are never being chased or forced into interactions, and have their natural behaviour impacted as little as possible. As divers we try to lead by example, and we expect our guests to do so too!
Adventure Trip
This trip is not your average diving holiday, but an intense high reward diving adventure! Jumping in and out of the zodiac, cold South African winter and the hot afternoon sun gives a full spectrum experience!
Skippers Dream
"A huge part of what makes the Sardine Run experience so exceptional is our team of expert skippers and dive guides. The primary goals of our skippers and dive guides is your safety and ensuring that your Sardine Run experience is the most memorable expedition of your life. With the support of our spotter plane, we get there fast, safe and first!"
- ProDive Sardine Run -
Sardine Run South Africa!
"Birds bombing into your picture. Sharks popping out from every direction, dolphins joining the hunt... This place is crazy: the ocean just seems to come alive. There is nothing compared to it."
- Peter Löseke, Behind the Mask videographer -
Meet your BTM Trip leader
Doris Hovermann
Freediver and Trip Leader
Sardine Run with ProDive
6 to 16 April, 2026
Trip price:
- per person (see details below for what is included in this price)
Included:
- 10 nights Standard Room at Courtyard Hotel with Breakfast
- Packed lunches on diving days
- Transfers to the starting point of the diving trips
- 8 days ocean safari at sea, incl. guide, tanks and weights
- Full and exclusive to ProDive aerial support (spotting) with an aircraft & pilot. This is NOT shared aerial with any other operator.
Not included:
- Equipment
- Dinner and drinks
- Flights
- Dive insurance
- Follow-up program
- Single room surcharge 10 nights: 650 EUR
Extension:
- 4 nights/5 days Garden Route from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town
- Price: 1440 EUR (see tab “Extension”)
Our terms & conditions apply!
We highly recommend DiveAssure insurance, which covers force majeure cases and single missed days of diving due to sickness. 
Monday, April 6, 2026
– Arrival in Port Elizabeth
– Check-in at the property (Night 1 of 10)
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
– Arrive and relax, breakfast at the accommodation
– Orientation, safety briefing and getting to know our team
Wednesday, April 8 – Wednesday, April 15, 2026
– Sardine Run Trips (8 days at sea)
– Breakfast every morning at the accommodation
– Lunch and refreshments daily on the boat
Courtyard Hotel Port Elizabeth
The accommodation of choice is Courtyard Hotel in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. It offers an elegant stay with a focus on comfort and convenience. Located near the beachfront and key attractions, it caters to both business and leisure travelers. The hotel features spacious rooms, conference facilities, and a relaxed atmosphere. Guests can enjoy excellent service, dining options, and easy access to the city’s and the diveshop.
Hotel Services include:
- Spacious and comfortable twin & double ensuite rooms
- Airconditioning
- Wifi
- Full English and continental breakfasts daily
- Fitness room
- Sparkling pool in landscaped garden setting
- Bar and club lounge
- Intimate lounge area
- Secure parking
- Same-day laundry and dry cleaning service (weekdays only)
- 24 hour launderette
- In room dinning by arrangement with local restaurants
- Woolworths personal shopping service
The Garden Route Tour
4 nights/5 Days from 16 to 20 April, 2026
To allow guests to enjoy a bit more of South Africa, we have set out an optional 5 days after the Sardine Run, passing through Mossel Bay, Coastal Villages, Cape Town and Simon’s town.
Here’s the itinerary:
Day 1, Night 1
16 April 2026
Port Elizabeth to Mossel Bay
• Pick up from place of residence and depart for the Garden Route
• Stop at Wildflower reserve (Time permitting)
• Continue to Storms River to stretch our legs
• Visit Tsitsikamma National Park
• Walk to the river mouth over suspension bridges for viewing
• Lunch at Restaurant
• Overnight Guesthouse Mossel Bay, bed and breakfast
• Lunch and dinner for own account
Day 2, Night 2
17 April 2026
Mossel Bay to Coastal Village
• Breakfast at accommodation
• Start our journey to the coastal village
• We cross the Breede River on a small ferry
• Lunch en route
• Check in at accommodation
• Explore historic fishing village
• Overnight at Seaside Village Hotel, Bed and breakfast
• Lunch and dinner for own account
Day 3, Night 3
18 April 2026
Coastal Village to Cape Town
• Wake-up and breakfast at accommodation
• Follow the coastal route to Cape Town
• Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of the African Continent
• Hermanus
• Lunch en route
• Check into accommodation
• Afternoon at leisure
• Dinner at accommodation or one of the nearby restaurants
• Overnight at Hotel in Cape Town, Bed and Breakfast
• Lunch and Dinner for own account
Day 4, Night 4
Date 19 April 2026
Simon’s Town
• Wake up and breakfast at accommodation
• Head to dive meet up point to meet between 8:30 and 8:45
• Meet dive company representative at 9:00
• Snorkel in the kelp forest (equipment, snacks and lunch included on the boat trip)
• Pick up from Dive meeting point around 15:00
• Afternoon at leisure
• Dinner at accommodation or at one of the nearby restaurants
• Overnight at Hotel in Cape Town, Bed and Breakfast
• Lunch and Dinner for own account
Day 5
Date 20 April 2026
Simon’s Town (dive day)
• Wake-up and breakfast at accommodation
• Check out with luggage
• Visit to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
• Cape Malay Quarter
• Company Gardens (Time permitting)
• Drop off at the airport
Price per person: 1.440 €
Single room surcharge 300 €
6 spaces still available
Top rated operator
