Reiseablauf

Start/Ende Fakarava – Das Beste der Tuamotus

Die Tauchsafari beginnt und endet in Fakarava, eine Flugstunde von Tahiti entfernt.

Die 15 Nächte Reise umfasst die besten Tauchplätze des Tuamoto-Archipels. Fakarava ist eines der berühmtesten Tauchgebiete in Französisch-Polynesien, da es wahrscheinlich die reichsten und spektakulärsten Unterwasserlandschaften bietet.

Je nach Wetter und Bedingungen kannst du 13 Tauchtage mit bis zu maximal 2 Tauchgängen täglich erwarten.

Tauchsafaris auf der Aqua Tiki III sind keine “Hardcore”-Tauchsafaris, sondern vielmehr eine sehr gelungene Symbiose aus entspannendem Tauchen und Inselerlebnissen. Du erkundest die besten Tauchplätze, Kanäle, Riffe und Lagunen entlang der Route durch die Atolle Fakarava, Tetamanu, Kauehi und Toau.

Für diejenigen, die kein Anschlussprogramm geplant haben, endet die Reise auf der Aquatiki III am 01. Oktober. Alternativ kann man auch länger in Französisch-Polynesien bleiben, z.B. auf den Tuamotus, Tahiti oder auch auf Moorea oder Bora-Bora. Wir beraten dich gerne unverbindlich über die Möglichkeiten, die individuell auf deine Wunschtage abgestimmt werden können.

Aquatiki III

Die Aquatiki III ist ein Katamaran der Marke Fountaine Pajot, gebaut in La Rochelle, Frankreich.

Der Komfort an Bord ist eines Hotels würdig: ein großer, sehr komfortabler Bereich mit Videoecke, Lounge-Bibliothek und Cocktailbar. Eine amerikanische Küche, ein großes Deck das durch ein Vordach vor der Sonne geschützt ist, wo die Mahlzeiten serviert werden, ein großes Sonnendeck, ein vorderer Salon und 2 Trampoline, die im Allgemeinen sehr begehrt sind, sowie eine Grillplattform.

Der Katamaran ist 20 m lang und 9,8 m breit und verfügt über 5 Kabinen für insgesamt 10 Gäste: 2 Kabinen mit Doppel- oder Einzelbetten, 1 Kabine mit Etagenbetten für 2 Personen und 2 VIP-Doppelkabinen mit TV/Hifi/DVD-Anlage. Sie verfügen alle über eine individuell regulierbare Klimaanlage, ein Soundsystem und ein eigenes Bad mit Toilette.

Der Antrieb wird durch 230 m² Segel und 2 Motoren mit 150 PS gewährleistet, mit einem mehr als 1000 Liter großen Kraftstofftank.

Ein leistungsstarker Generator und ein Wechselrichter sorgen für die elektrische Versorgung, die kontinuierlich 220 V liefert, mit individuellen 220 V Steckdosen in jeder Kabine 24/7.

Die Aquatiki ist autonom im Süßwasser: mehr als 800 Liter Reserve, mit 2 Entsalzungsanlagen von 190 Litern / Stunde.

Der Katamaran ist mit den modernsten Navigationsgeräten und den neuesten technischen Entwicklungen ausgestattet, um maximale Sicherheit zu bieten: Autopilot, GPS, BLU, VHF, Computer-Navigationszentrum, Radar, Standard-C-Wetter, Notsignal von Sarsat.

Der Katamaran ist auch mit allen Annehmlichkeiten ausgestattet wie eine Hi-Fi-Anlage mit Soundsystem in jeder Kabine, Fernseher, Videorecorder und DVD mit Videothek. Eine Bibliothek, in der du unter anderem Dokumentationen über die Unterwasserfauna, Polynesien, die Schifffahrt usw. findest, sowie zahlreiche Spiele, um die Abende zu gestalten.

Ein Telefon, WIFI und ein Fax per Satellit ermöglichen es, unter allen Umständen und sogar am anderen Ende der Welt in Verbindung zu bleiben!

Französisch Polynesien

Französisch-Polynesien liegt 18.000 km von Frankreich entfernt und besteht aus etwa 118 Inseln vulkanischen oder korallenartigen Ursprungs, die eine Fläche von etwa 4.200 km² bedecken. Diese Inseln liegen verstreut in einer Region, die so groß ist wie Europa.

Das Klima ist tropisch, warm und feucht, wird aber durch Passatwinde gemildert. Es gibt zwei Jahreszeiten: eine heiße und feuchte Saison (27 bis 35 ° C) von Dezember bis Februar und eine kühlere Saison (21 bis 27 ° C) von März bis November.

Das Gebiet, das den Status eines Übersee-Territoriums hat, besteht aus 5 Inselgruppen, die jeweils völlig unterschiedliche Landschaften bieten:

• Im Westen gehören die Inseln Tahiti (die größte der polynesischen Inseln, mit Papeete als Verwaltungshauptstadt und Moorea) und die Inseln Raiatea, Tahaa, Huahine, Bora-Bora, Maupiti dazu. Dies sind gebirgige Inseln, die von einem Korallenriff und einer Lagune umgeben sind, die die Küste säumen. Es ist die größte und am dichtesten besiedelte Region dieses Gebiets.
• Der 300 km nordöstlich von Tahiti gelegene Tuamotu-Archipel besteht ausschließlich aus flach liegenden Koralleninseln, den so genannten Atollen, sowie aus ausgedehnten Sandbänken, die mit Kokospalmen bewachsen sind und die eine türkisfarbene Lagune im Inneren abgrenzen.
• Der Australes-Archipel (Tubuai, Rurutu), ganz im Süden gelegen, besteht aus 7 gebirgigen Inseln, die von einer Lagune und einem Riff umgeben werden. Das flache Gelände und subtropische Klima eignen sich gut für den Gemüseanbau. Von Juli bis Oktober ist im Australes-Archipel der Treffpunkt für Wale.
• Der Gambier-Archipel (Mangareva) im äußersten Osten des Landes, etwa 1.600 km von Tahiti entfernt, besteht aus vulkanischen Gesteinen. Es sind Überreste eines Vulkans, der von einem Saumriff umgeben ist, aus dem sich dutzende Inseln erheben.
• Der 1.500 km von Tahiti entfernte Marquesas-Archipel (Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa) liegt in der Nähe des Äquators und besteht aus einer Gruppe Vulkaninseln, die weder eine Lagune noch ein Korallenriff besitzen. Die meisten Inseln sind von kleinen Nebeninseln oder Rifffelsen umgeben. Die Marquesas, genannt Enua Enata (übersetz „Die Erde der Männer“), bieten nur wenige Strände, dafür aber grandiose Landschaften, überwiegend gebirgig, stark zerklüftet mit tief eingeschnittenen Tälern, deren Flüsse sich manchmal mit spektakulären Wasserfällen ins Meer ergießen.

Tuamotu-Archipel

Der Tuamotu-Archipel, der etwa 300 km nordöstlich von Tahiti liegt, besteht aus 76 Atollen, von denen kaum die Hälfte bewohnt ist. Bei diesen so genannten flachen Inseln handelt es sich um Krater, die unter dem Einfluss der Erosion verschwunden sind und deren von Korallen besiedelte Ränder nur noch aus weißem Sand bestehen, der mit Muscheln übersät und mit Kokospalmen bepflanzt ist, die die Polynesier “Motu” nennen.

Das Klima auf Tuamotu unterscheidet sich von dem der höher gelegenen Inseln von Tahiti und den Inseln im Windschatten. Die warme und feuchte Jahreszeit von Dezember bis Februar ist hier viel gemäßigter, mit einem erfrischenden Passatwind und geringeren Niederschlägen (meist in der Nacht), was zu Schwierigkeiten bei der Frischwasserversorgung führt.

Auf den Tuamotu ist die Landschaft völlig unberührt, weit weg von jeglichem städtischen Trubel. Das Leben auf diesen Atollen ist einfach und ruhig. Die Aktivitäten der Einheimischen, der Paumotus, beschränken sich auf getrocknete Kokosnuss, Fischfang und seit einigen Jahren auf die Zucht von Perlmutt Durch Veredelung entsteht die berühmte schwarze Perle, eine endemische Tuamotu-Art. Die Lagune im Landesinneren ist ein geschützter Ort, ideal für die Einrichtung von Perlenfarmen und Fischparks.

Jedes Atoll bietet Landschaften von wilder Schönheit. Vom Himmel aus gesehen erscheinen sie wie weiße Ringe auf dem tiefblauen Pazifik. Die Motus sind mit Kokospalmen bewachsen, die von schönen Stränden umgeben sind, und werden durch kleine Kanäle voneinander getrennt. Das Wasser der Lagunen färbt sich von Zartgrün zu Türkisblau und geht in Violett über.

Rangiroa war das bekannteste Paumotu-Atoll, vor allem wegen seiner Tauchplätze. Aber nicht weit von Rangiroa entfernt liegt Fakarava. Fakarava hat den größten Pass Polynesiens und ist von Atollen umgeben, die die schönsten Tauchplätze Polynesiens bieten.

Tauchen in Französisch-Polynesien

Fakarava-Touren sind Tauchausflüge auf hohem Niveau, die auch die anspruchsvollsten Taucher zufriedenstellen werden.

Die Leitung erfolgt durch einen Tauchlehrer, der die Taucher begleitet, und einer Person an der Oberfläche, die den Tauchgang ständig überwacht. Die Tauchgänge werden in den Kanälen durchgeführt, wobei die Strömungen oft sehr stark sein können!

Je nach Wetterbedingungen und Strömungen werden täglich 2 Tauchgänge angeboten, außer am An- und Abreisetag.

Die Wassertemperatur schwankt wenig: von 25 ° C im Winter (September) bis 29 ° C im Sommer (März), ohne Sprungschicht. Die Sichtweiten in diesen kristallklaren Gewässern sind immer ausgezeichnet.

Nachttauchgänge sind nicht geplant (bitte vor Ort erfragen).

Malapascua: March 15 – 21 March 2025 

Day 1 (March 15) arrival day –pick up at Cebu, arrival at the island. Welcome briefing and prepare boxes. Possible to do sunset dive (not part of the itinerary).

Day 2 (March 16) – 2 dives with the Thresher sharks and 1 dive sunset/night with the Mandarin fish at light house reef.

Day 3 (March 17) – Gato Island Day trip incl. lunch on the boat: 3 dives out (additional optional night on guest bill).

Day 4 (March 18 – Day off – after Saturday night? The most fun night on the island after Friday night 😉

Day 5 (March 19) – 2 dives at Kalangaman Island (BBQ on the beach) + 1 dive at Chocolate Island on the way back.

Day 6 – (March 20) – 2 dives with the thresher sharks and 1 local dive.

Day 7 – (March 21) – Departure Day

Tubbataha Reef: 22 to 28 March 2025

The journey starts in the city of Tromsø in Norway. We recommend to arrive more than just one night before the expedition the get a glimpse of this beautiful arctic city! We can arrange hotels & tours as well as your international flights.

Nov 24 – 30, 2024

The following is an approximate itinerary as the final itinerary, of course, depends on the sea, the weather and the animals.  Expert guides will accompany you on your whale watching adventures to provide information and guidance.

Day 1: Arrival and boarding
Arrival at Tromsø airport and transfer to the harbor. In the afternoon you will board your ship, settle in and explore the ship.

Day 2-6:  The search is on
Surrounded by the dramatic Norwegian fjords, you’ll spend 5 full days following schools of herring  … and pods of orcas & humpbacks. The bridge of the ship is a great place to look for whales and enjoy theamazing light and the awesome scenery.  Whenever the conditions are right and animals are in the vicinity, you can board the Zodiacs to snorkel and photograph the animals and feeding frenzies.

You can watch the highlights from the spacious deck or join the Zodiac excursions for up-close whale watching and excellent photography opportunities. You may also have the opportunity to go ashore to visit some of the historical fishing villages situated in the fjords.  But, the top highlight is the in-water experience with the whales, orcas & herring!

During the darker hours you will enjoy the warm and cozy comfort of the expedition yacht while your expert guides entertain you with presentations and educational information on wildlife and cinematography and films. Excellent food is served three times a day, with a warm meal during lunch and diner.  Beer and wine are available.

Also, of course, the winter months mean displays of the Aurora Borealis. With a bit of luck you might be treated to some of this delight.

Day 7: Disembarkation
The ships usually arrive back in Tromsø the night before disembarkation.   After breakfast and farewell to your crew, it is unfortunately time to disembark.  The guides can arrange a transfer to the airport or to your hotel if you choose to extend your stay in Norway.

M/V Kinfish

Step aboard the RV Kinfish, where adventure and comfort meet in perfect harmony. With room for up to 12 guests, our ship offers an intimate and exclusive experience as you explore the stunning natural beauty of your chosen destination, led by our expert crew of guides and naturalists.

Relax in our spacious and comfortable cabins, each with en-suite facilities, as you take in the breathtaking scenery from your own private window. Our onboard restaurant serves up exquisite cuisine, prepared by our talented chefs using the freshest local ingredients, while our bar is fully stocked with a selection of fine wines, spirits, and cocktails to enjoy at your leisure.

The RV Kinfish also features a range of amenities designed to enhance your experience. Take a dip in our hot tub on the upper deck, relax on the sun loungers, or make use of our kayaks and paddleboards to explore the surrounding waters up close. With our state-of-the-art technology and equipment, including radar and sonar, you’ll have the opportunity to experience the natural world like never before.

At Behind the Mask, we’re committed to sustainable travel and minimizing our impact on the environment. The ship is designed with eco-friendly technology, including solar panels and a water treatment system, to ensure we leave the smallest possible footprint on the beautiful wilderness we explore.

Vessel Specifications:

Vessel type Expedition and Research/Survey
Flag / Port of registry Sweden / Göteborg
Built / rebuilt Stord 1958 / Båtservice 1986, Kimek 1996, NRS 2017
Class DNV +1A-1 ICE-C – E0 (bow strengthened to ICE 1B1)
Length (LOA) 37.25 m
LBP 31,38 m
Beam 7.01 m
Max draft / Air draft 4.25 m / 16.25 m
Tonnage 329 GT / 98 NT
Displacement 442 tonnes
Material hull / superstructure Steel / Aluminium
Speed (cruising / max) 9 knots / 11 knots

Welcome to Tromsø

Itinerary Dec 01 – 22 or Dec 8 to 22, 2025

Pre-program (optional) at Savu South Alor

“pure oceanic passion” is their slogan and you will feel it! Come with us to thie remote place in Alor for some wonderful diving and good time before your Liveaboard vacation.

Dec 1

Flights to Alor are available via Kupang from Jakarta over night. So you should arrive one day before in Jakarta with enough layover time to reach your flight on Nov 30. From Alor we will be transfered by the Resort by car and boat. (there is no roads to the resort).

Dec 1 – 8

7 days in paradise. Enjoy your stay at South Savu and dive into the beautiful reefs around this magical place. Choose your accommodation between the 5 Beach Cottages or the 2 exquisite Cliffe-Side Villas over looking over the bay.

On Dec 7 you will board directly the Liveaboard from the resort without any transfers. You can leave your camera installed and even jump on in your wetsuit!

Dec 8 – 22

If you are not interested in the stay before you need to fly in via Jakarta on December 6th to arrive in Alor on December 7th. 14 nights pure luxury on the beautiful Damai I. Shut down your phone and enjoy the beauty of this part of Indonesia. From Alor we make our way to Flores ending up in the Komodo Nationalpark, probably the highlight of the trip. Especiall in winter South Komodo has higher temperatures and crystal clear waters. The marine life we can observe on this cruise is ranging from excellent muck diving to big fish with mantas and sharks.

On Decemeber 22 we disembark in Labuaj Bajo (LBJ) where you can take your international flight out through Jakarta to your final destination!

Damai I

Damai I is a very special “boutique” liveaboard, an elegant Phinisi schooner, which takes 12 guests to dive Indonesia’s richest waters from Komodo & to the exotic eastern islands of Raja Ampat & more.

All the comforts of a spa hotel

Purpose-designed for cruising and diving in this region, passenger safety is always top priority. The Damai I is equipped with the latest navigation, communication and safety equipment.  The cabins are luxurious and spacious, the cuisine exquisite and the level of service and attention to detail is tops.

You’ll find two large deck areas, fore and aft on the bridge deck, for relaxing in either the sun or shade as well as enjoying massage and spa treatments. The bridge deck not only houses the captain’s bridge, but also one of the suites with direct access to the aft sun deck. The large forward sun deck on this level is also used as a spectacular outdoor dining area.  On the main deck, in addition to the the master suite with private balcony, you find the large, comfortable & welcoming indoor dining and lounge area … with coffee & drinks bar. The lower deck offers 5 additional spacious cabins.

The large, well-designed dive deck is located at the front of the main deck with roomy dive stations, individual rinse tanks and a camera room with separate camera work stations with integrated 110v and 220v charging station for each photographer. The camera room is located directly adjacent to the dive deck.

Cabins:

1 upper deck DOUBLE/TWIN stateroom

king size bed or 2 twin beds, desk, picture window & direct access to the sun deck

1 main deck DOUBLE/TWIN master stateroom

king size bed or 2 large twin beds, 2 desks, private balcony & picture window

4 lower deck DOUBLE/TWIN staterooms

double bed (180cm or 160cm) or 2 twin beds & port window (cabin 3 also has a desk)

1 lower deck DOUBLE/TWIN master stateroom

 king size bed or 2 large twins, a day bed, 2 desks & 4 aft deck windows

All have individually controlled AC, a private bathroom, lots of storage & palm oil-free toiletries.

The 2 master cabins require a supplement.

MUTIARA LAUT benefits from a 36sqm saloon area, consisting of a sumptuous lounge and intimate dining to comfortably seat all guests onboard. A stately midship stairway, with hand-crafted pillars and exquisitely sculpted handrails, leads to the staterooms on thelower deck. The saloon is fully air-conditioned and equipped with a large LCD TV and library.

The vessel features seven guest cabins, all with en-suite facilities. The master suite is situated on the main deck and features a king-sized berth, elegant desk, large comfortable sofa and fully stocked bookshelves. Walk-in wardrobes provide more than enough storage for long passages at sea.

Described as ‘the blue garden of Eden’, Savu South Alor is a tropical hideaway surrounded by white sand, volcanic rock and turquoise waters. A blue escape where luxury meets untouched nature.

Barefoot Luxury

Savu South Alor is a breathtaking resort west of Timor-Leste. Miles away from civilization, this gateway to the Savu Sea is a place to dream away while marveling at the ocean wonders Indonesia is home to. This place is not just one of esthetical pleasure, it also embedded in a sustainability culture that respects the world’s resources.

Stunning Accommodation

The resort comprises out of seven spacious rooms which are integrated into the natural surroundings of the island. All rooms are equipped with decoration made out of local materials and offer all facilities to ensure a worriless stay.

There are five beach cottages that feature a queen size bed, a daybed as well as a working desk. From your cottage bedroom, you’ll directly stare into the open ocean. Outside, each of the cottage has a private ‘bale’ with an outdoor shower in the middle of a tropical garden. Descending down to the beach, two sunbeds and a parasol gracefully blend into the scene.

Like the beach cottages, the cliff villas offer a panoramic view over the Savu Sea. Each villa has its own private plunge pool, allowing guests to wind down in a peaceful and private environment. Located a bit higher than the beach cottages, these spacious villas offer the perfect opportunity to spot whales and dolphins passing by under the sapphire Indonesian sunsets.

Pristine Diving and Snorkeling

The house reefs around Savu Alor Resort offer incredible underwater encounters. The luxurious catamaran of the resort takes snorkelers to corners where colorful fish are hunting for fresh prey and shallow coral reefs flourish. Experienced snorkel guides will point out the diverse marine life from corals to nudibranchs, turtles and numerous species of fish.

For those who love to ascend a bit deeper, the gentle currents around the steep walls of the Savu Sea offer a true underwater spectacle for scuba divers. From bottom dwellers to large pelagic animals and marine mammals, the diversity is truly spectacular. Small groups of divers will be dropped at speedboats to the pristine and untouched coral reefs of South Alor, located in the heart of the infamous Coral Triangle. The underwater structures that can be found here are of all sorts: overhangs, caves as well as unique coral formations form a dynamic scenery.

A comfy 48ft catamaran offers the perfect marine base to go out and look for cetaceans that roam these waters: blue whales, sperm whales, melon headed whales but also different times of dolphins are common here. If conditions are absolutely perfect and the animals allow it, even underwater encounters with these giants are possible! The resort is adamant on collecting scientific data during these encounters, to help safeguard the species survival and conservation.

Sustainable Comfort

Savu South Alor is not different because its unique ability to combine nature and luxury, as a product of its time it is run on principles of sustainability and self-sufficiency. The resort is fully solar-powered and has its own deep wells and large organic food farm that is harvesting based on permaculture principles. The menu of Savu South Alor is heavily based on these locally grown fruits and vegetables, as the local chefs offer a fusion of traditional Indonesian with Western cuisine. Combining modern comforts in a sustainable way is something the founders of the resort are fittingly proud of.

Magbay Marlin Run:

Day 1 (20 November): Drive from Cabo to Magbay

Day 2: Marlin ocean safari

Day 3: Marlin ocean safari

Day 4:  Dune and mangrove exploration

Day 5: Marlin ocean safari

Day 6: Drive to Cabo for liveaboard embarkment

Socorro Liveaboard:

Day 1 (25 November): Board at 5pm

Days 2-8: Revilliagigedo Islands diving

Day 9: Disembark at 8:30am

Rocio del Mar is custom-designed for diving the waters on Mexico’s west coast and in the Sea of Cortez.  The owners know this region well and wanted a vessel that was large, stable and comfortable.  Rocio is the result.  She isn’t a luxury vessel, but she has 4 decks and plenty of comfortable living space.  On the top deck you’ll find a good-sized sundeck, with lounge chairs set up in covered and uncovered areas, plus a great bar & barbecue area and an al fresco dining area for meals, when the weather permits. The upper deck houses 2 large staterooms, the indoor salon and dining area … plus a spacious, covered & protected outdoor salon on the aft deck. The dive deck is located on the main deck along with the other 8 staterooms.

The dive deck is ample and well-designed, with plenty of room for gear and a large camera table for photographers. Nitrox is available and a satellite phone is available onboard for emergencies.

July 5 to 14, 2025

From Mthata Airport we will have a transfer to our accommodation St. Johns River Lodge. Where we will spend 14 days of your vacation. We will be a small group of max. 6 people with a private boat charter for 10 days of Sardine Run. The Sardine Run is a unique natural spectacle that only exists in South Africa. As special as this spectacle is, one should not disregard the effort involved. Hours of searching, waves, rough seas and no guarantee of success can drain your strength. This trip is only for advanced divers and snorklers who is not getting sea sick.

The important thing is to never forget that this is a natural spectacle. And nature is not predictable. After 14 exciting days is our departure day and we will fly back home.

Typical Day on a Sardine Run Ocean Safari Trip

Daily outings last for approximately 6 – 8 hours depending on sea / weather conditions and the amount of activity about. With the action being fast and furious in conjunction with variable sea conditions, long boat rides and the whole day out at sea, outings can prove strenuous, therefore it is recommended that clients be relatively fit.

Departure time is usually 06h30 and return time depends on the action on the day. We try to stay out at sea for as long as possible, giving our clients a good chance to capitalze on whatever Nature has to offer.

Each morning at around 06h20, our boats will depart from our home-based jetty to collect clients by boat. We then head down the Umzimvubu river and into the surf zone at Port St. Johns. After a typical and highly exciting African surf launch, crew will start looking for all types of action, from whales, dolphins and ocean bird action to the little silver sardine / bait fish type action. Our skippers will be in touch with our “eye in the sky” pilot for an update on sightings.

Sardine / bait fish activity is usually sighted from large flocks of cape gannet sightings or by the more trusted large pods of common dolphin activity.

Our communication with our pilot and other spotter networks is vast and we are also in communication with Natal Sharks Board members that conduct regular flights further afield. Our local knowledge of “hiding” places also comes into play here and all avenues are explored to find action for you.

Once action is located, our experienced crew will determine whether this action is fast moving, necessitating snorkel viewing, or more static, whereby we can go straight onto scuba equipment for those wishing to use scuba gear. First hand action will be experienced by snorkellers, divers and boat based passengers, which ensures an exciting day out for everyone where no one is left out of all the excitement that nature brings with her.

Port St. Johns River Lodge

Our accommodation choice is Port St. Johns River Lodge, which is regarded by many travellers as a “home away from home”. Port St. Johns River Lodge has a full bar and restaurant on site and is situated alongside the picturesque mighty Umzimvubu River with spectacular views of Mt. Sullivan & Mt. Thesiger. The lodge is situated across the river from the operating base from Offshore Africa, which makes it easy to collect and drop off daily.

Quick Facts

• WIFI
• Drying room for wetsuits
• Hot shower rinse-off at boat jetty area
• Walking distance to convenience shop / liquor store / fuel station
• Swimming pools (1 heated / 1 un-heated)
• Family room and Twin bed rooms available

Port St. Johns

For many years the Pondoland Wild Coast has shrouded its secrets from the masses and to this day is a little known and forgotten part of South Africa’s East coast.
This stretch of coastline is regarded as the most dramatic stretch of coastline on the continent of Africa and truly lives up to its name…the “Wild Coast”. Port St. Johns lies exactly in the middle of this amazing stretch of coast. Port St. Johns is located on the eastern seaboard of South Africa approximately 380 km south of Durban. (4 hour drive) and is within the province of the Eastern Cape. The WILD COAST lies between the southern border of Natal, Port Edward and the port town of East London approximately 300 km further south and happens to be the most rugged and naturally unspoiled piece of coastline to be found on the African continent. The time forgotten coastal town of Port St. Johns, situated on the magical Pondoland Wild Coast has become one of the most popular destinations from which to experience the Sardine Run in all its glory.

Offshore Africa

Offshore Africa is owned, run and managed by Rob Nettleton & Debbie Smith, a highly qualified team whose experience spans in excess of 30 years in the dive industry. Offshore Africa pride themselves on their knowledge & experience, their personal service, the flexibility of their business to suit their clients and above all, the Sardine Run ocean safari is Debra & Robs passion and the absolute highlight of each year for them.

„We never know what each day, let alone each hour will bring on these days and this, coupled with the most incredible marine sightings, makes the Sardine Run ocean experience the single best event on the marine calendar.“

Offshore Africa has been operating on the Wild Coast for many years and has extensive home-based knowledge. They are the only locally based sardine run specialist operator based in Port St Johns, successfully running sardine run trips from their base in Port St Johns since 2008. They are therefore ideally located to offer you a superb, fun filled trip, coupled with a highly experienced Sardine Run specialist team of skippers and dive guides that form part of their team.

We offer a boat based adventure for everyone, whether a diver or non-diver. All nature lovers, bird watchers, photography enthusiasts, dolphin and whale enthusiasts, snorkellers and scuba divers will thoroughly enjoy this incredible event of nature, which has been likened to the land based “Wildebeest migration of the Serengeti” and the marine equivalent of this has since been called “The Greatest Shoal on Earth”. Join us for an experience of a lifetime in the most beautiful and scenic place of Port St. Johns, Wild Coast, Transkei.

Personal note to you from Offshore Africa…

The Sardine Run is one of the hardest products in the dive industry to market and to work with. The main reason being is that every outing is dependent on what nature offers us on that particular day. BUT…it is not just about sardines and baitballs. It has been and is still rated to be the marine equivalent of the famous Wildebeest migration that takes place on the Masai Mara and Serengeti plains of central Africa and is just as thrilling and spectacular to witness whether above surface or underwater. Just the amount of oceanic predators and bird life make this an enthralling experience and offers phenomenal photographic opportunities both above and below the water.

Something that few people realize or read about regarding the Sardine Run is the fact that aside from sardine (Sardinops Sagax), there are at least another 5 or 6 species of bait fish doing their own mini or not so mini migrations at the same time (Anchovies, sugar mackerel, red eye herring, East coast herring, Sauri & a few more). Each of these species attracts predators in all shapes and sizes and is preyed upon at every given opportunity. Some of the these species have a tendency to “ball” as a defensive strategy, as sardine does, while others just scatter and create chaos.

A few things are guaranteed on every outing: – huge pods of dolphin sometimes numbering in their thousands, numerous species of sharks (if visibility allows) are seen individually or in large packs on most “jump-ins”. A huge variety of oceanic bird life including the well-known Cape Gannet, which arrives in their thousands, 5 species of Albatross, Petrels, Cormorants, Terns and of course, through it all, we have the annual Humpback Whale migration offering loads of breaching and surface displays due to the topography of our coastline.

The attraction of it all is the fact that one just never knows what one will come across or experience on any given day.