Southern Right Whale encounter sardine run 2026 was an exceptional moment.

This animal was so super relaxed, so eager to engage with the boat and stay engaged, it provided such a memorable encounter that was captured on drone footage as well.

As we have so very often said and we continue to repeat, the sardine run is not just about the famous little silver fish.  It is about everything and anything that can and does show up, at the same place and at the same time, proving that it is one of the most special times along our coastline and is a bucket list trip for anyone that loves the ocean and that is open minded to encounter whatever Nature gives us within the hour and within that day.

https://offshoreportstjohns.com/sardine-run/

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Our annual sardine run is not just about sardines, take a look what else takes place and there is more…….

https://offshoreportstjohns.com/sardine-run/

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For those that know, Raggie reef isnt just any dive site in our area. Its temperamental. Its very moody BUT when you are gifted with great conditions YOU TAKE IT fast!!!

Its astounding. And on this particular day, it was that perfect day, take it fast.

The sardine run really is not just about chasing the famous silver fish, believe us, it is about everything. Everything that may show up, everything that you may get to do on a day or see on a day. And this is just a part of that everything……

thanks Richie O’Connell for making this incredible little clip on that perfect Raggie Reef dive day.

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Above & below sardine run 2026

Here is a tiny taste of how we find the sardines from the air and what our spotter pilot sees, this is his workspace each day that we are out on the ocean.

Brad has been our spotter pilot for 8 seasons now, offering Offshore Africa exclusive aerial spotting.
What does that mean you ask? Well it means that we have our own pilot and fixed wing aircraft to ourselves, no shared aerial information, he is not flying for anyone else and our clients can have afternoon after ocean day opportunities to take in a flight with him and spot for themselves. To take in the breathtaking landscape of the Wild Coast from the air is the perfect way to end the day.

Brad is an instructor pilot and a scuba diver and its great to get footage from the air that our crew out on the ocean are experiencing. The eagles eye view so to speak!!!

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We are so proud to be a part of Behind the Mask ALIVE – a journey to rediscover yourself

We so look forward to hosting the lucky winner of the Sardine Run giveaway trip in our 2025 expedition season https://offshoreportstjohns.com/sardine-run/

No further words are needed – just watch, immerse yourself in the story and remember TO BE ALIVE and rediscover yourself!!!!!

https://www.facebook.com/behindthemask.divestories

#adventuretravel

#behind-the-mask #sardinerunportstjohns#sardinerun#portstjohns#bucketlisttrip#easterncapetourism#adventurediving

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Sardine run with Offshore Africa

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Birds eye view

of the formation of a bait ball during our annual sardine run season Port St Johns, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Have you ever wondered what this crazy frenzy must look like from the air?

Here is a larger birds eye view of a bait ball in formation during our annual sardine run in Port St Johns. We hope you enjoy this short video clip, taken from our eye in the sky spotter pilot Brad.

Brad has this incredible ability to fly his aircraft, take a video or still image, send it to us throughout the day and have heaps of fun in the air, giggling at boats scuttling this way and that way!!

And as he says……….positioning and timing are key!!! – very true and wise words.

If you have experienced the sardine run in Port St Johns with us https://offshoreportstjohns.com/sardine-run/ you will know that not only is positioning and timing important, its the ability to read Nature, the birds, many animals that form part of the sardine run. We get what we call “popcorn”, when things pop up all over the place with no real direction and with incredible speed and then we get the stationary action, where things slow down to a pace that many can manage to keep up with.  This is not what the sardines have in mind, they’re smart and they like to find gaps and loopholes when they can. And then we get those days, those quiet days when we get to dive on one of our reef systems because all of a sardine…………….the action has gone dead. Or, all of a sardine, it happens out of nowhere

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEN4uj6cGl8

Our eye in the sky is an integral part of our operations, he covers an aerial distance in a short space of time that we cannot remotely hope to achieve in that time frame.

Our sardine run 2021 season is fast approaching and we sincerely hope to be out there again, witnessing this amazing action and sharing many stories along the way.

We SO look forward to meeting you or seeing you again.  Come and join us https://offshoreportstjohns.com/contact-us/

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Sardine run professional association

Is a group of highly experienced sardine run operators who have banded together to ensure that the highest standard of the sardine run, as a valuable tourism product, is upheld.

Offshore Africa, the only experienced operator based in Port St Johns, is proud to be a member of the “sardine run professional association” that has been formed.

Our mission is to provide our clients with an unparalleled nature experience, while promoting the conservation of our unique ocean wildlife and upholding our operations to the highest standards in quality and safety.

Take a look at our association website for what the group stands for, our aims and plans for the future.

http://www.sardinerunassociation.org/south-africa-sardine-run-association-membership/

There are many aspects to planning a sardine run trip and the experience level of an operator is a vital component in this.

In addition, knowledge in:

• marine animal behaviour
• ocean conditions
• weather conditions

Are extremely important factors to ensure safety and overall enjoyment of all clients undertaking this trip.

The sardine run is an event of Nature and as such, the above criteria plays a key role in the day to day planning and running of this trip.

Feel free to come back to this site as updates take place.

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