Check out the new book release  thimios.com/books by Australian author, diver and photographer Todd Thimios.

As you all know, our annual sardine run season is our absolute favourite time of the year with so much life about in our oceans, whether topside or underwater. Every day is exciting not knowing what is going to show up and when……

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Sardine run with Offshore Africa

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What a special time for us at Offshore Africa featuring in not 1 but 2 amazing media articles this month.  We are so blown away!!!

We feature in the Sunday Times travel magazine released 12th September 2021.  The magazine is a feature within the Sunday Times newspaper.

Special thanks to the incredibly brave Thembalethu Zulu from Sunday Times travel magazine for joining Offshore Africa for the sardine run 2021 season. https://offshoreportstjohns.com/sardine-run/

Her story is inspiring and written from the heart and is just so amazing!!!

Thanks again to ECPTA (Eastern Cape Parks & Tourism agency) for putting the adventure together with us https://visiteasterncape.co.za/.

We love what we do and we love introducing people to our world.  Making a difference, no matter how large or small, is always at the forefront of our hearts and minds and our annual sardine run is such a passion for us in being able to do all of this and more…..

Special thanks, as always, to our incredible team that work with us each season, our eye in the sky, our in-water guides, our spotters and our base crew.  Simply amazing!!

Once again, special thanks to the entire team at Port St Johns River Lodge for making it all so easy and wonderful for our clients and our crew on a daily basis https://portstjohnsriverlodge.co.za/

You all rock!!

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The coastline of the Wild Coast and Port St John’s is one of dramatic scenery and a sight like none other along this magical and wild coastline.

As the mighty Umzimvubu River makes its way seawards, the views of Mt. Sullivan to the north, also known as the north gate and Mt. Thesiger to the south, also known as the south gate, are to be truly appreciated by boat and by air.

The airstrip on Mt. Thesiger is a major tourist attraction in Port St John’s as it affords one the opportunity of seeing this major river system alongside two mountains in its’ full glory. Many a sundowner drink has been had here as the sun dips down on the beauty of this area, viewed from above town.

The town of Port St John’s nestled alongside the river gives one a true sense of where you are in this picturesque part of the Wild Coast, Eastern Cape.

The town of Port St John’s is known as the gateway to the sardine run https://offshoreportstjohns.com/the-sardine-run-psj/ and Offshore Africa, being the only operator with a permanent base here, calls Port St John’s the home of the sardine run for many reasons.

Contact us https://offshoreportstjohns.com/contact/ to see this amazing town and its dramatic scenery for yourself.

Photo credits to Rob Nettleton from Offshore Africa.

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How did we overlook sharing this incredible video made about us with you?

It must be because this time of the year, coming within 5 weeks, is so exciting and so crazy and just so busy that we did not upload and share it.

Enjoy the short clip and come and enjoy the excitement of it all by booking with US https://offshoreportstjohns.com/book-online/

Take a tour of our images under the blogs section https://offshoreportstjohns.com/news-from-offshore-africa-psj/

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Waterfall Bluff Transkei

Waterfall Bluff, where the Mlambomkhulu (the big river) flows directly into the ocean, is simply too beautiful for words.

The Transkei coastline boasts some incredible waterfalls, but Waterfall Bluff, as it is commonly named, is just a breath taking waterfall and a must see when visiting our area.

Waterfall Bluff can be accessed either as a hike, leaving Luphuthana and heading south until the hike leads into Waterfall Bluff, or via the ocean on board our vessel Offshore 1 from a launch through the surf at Port St John’s https://offshoreportstjohns.com/shop/.

The scenery change as we get closer to Waterfall Bluff is nothing short of dramatic. It is like WOW!!!!!

There are few waterfalls in the world that flow off the top of a cliff directly into the ocean and Waterfall Bluff is home to 2 of these.

In the video below you will see the Mlambomkhulu (the big river) drops an initial 33 metres and then a further 60 metres into the ocean below.

The smaller but higher Mfihlelo Falls are found 2.4km further to the west.

Cathedral Rock is another spectacular piece of scenery close to Waterfall Bluff.

Hikers enjoy sitting underneath the ledge at Waterfall Bluff and for the adventurous, getting closer to the actual fall, sitting on the ledge and getting a good spray, is the ultimate.

A visit to our area is not complete if you have not visited Waterfall Bluff.  If you need to extend your stay to do this, it will be so rewarding.

If you choose to hike to the waterfall, it is an easy hike and will take approximately 40 minutes one way, that is if you do not stop to enjoy the stunning scenery along the way.  You will need to negotiate the river before Drifters Camp before the hike begins. Make sure that you know the tides.

If you choose the boat option, it is a half day trip leaving Port St John’s at around 07h30 in the morning and returning just after lunch.  Refreshments are provided on board Offshore 1 vessel.  We have a minimum of 4 for the trip and a maximum of 10.  It is definitely a weather permitting trip.

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When the excited shouts of a Bryde’s Whale sighting rings in your ears, suddenly everyone on the boat is on high alert.

“Bryde’s whale? – there has to be sardines in the vicinity”.  “There has to be a decent amount of food in the area”

And this is exactly the fact about these amazing whales that in order to maintain their diet, these marine mammals are often found in areas that have abundant supplies of fish and other prey.

This year there were many, many sightings of Bryde’s Whales during sardine run and so many of these were a last minute scramble to get out of the way as it would simply appear, in stealth mode fashion, before your very eyes and leave you wondering how something so large can just suddenly pop into focus like that and scoop so much food into it’s mouth and wham, thanks for that, sardine shoal split and chaos in the water with the excitement of the encounter.

They capture their food by looking for large swarms or gatherings of potential prey and then swim through the swarm and engulf whatever food is available. And you had better make sure that you are out of the way. Cheekily, these whales may be spotted hunting and stealing prey that other marine animals have worked hard to herd together and obtain. When searching for food the Bryde’s whale can dive underwater for up to 20 minutes before re-surfacing for air.

Unlike other species of baleen whales, Bryde’s whales tends to move in irregular patterns both surfacing and changing direction for no particular reason, making their patterns unpredictable and unusual.

Further interesting facts about the Bryde’s whale is that the name comes from Johan Bryde, who helped set up the first modern whaling station in South Africa.  They can be found living in various tropical/subtropical waters throughout the world and can be seen swimming in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans.

Their gestation period is approximately 11-12 months.  After birth the female will nurse her calf for 6 – 12 months or until the newborn is able to hunt and survive on it’s without the need of additional support from its mother.

Sexual maturity for these whales is between 7 – 14 years at which point they reach their matured size and may begin mating and bearing offspring of their own.

Bryde’s whales may give birth once every 2 – 4 years while they remain fertile.

Sadly there is not enough data about the lifespan of the Bryde’s whale.

More at …..http://divingwithsharks.co.za

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The Ragged tooth sharks of Port St John’s congregate during our winter months’.

Upon descent on the dive site, as we approach closer to the bottom they appear in large numbers and very curious indeed.

Large males, even larger females and juveniles are all over the place and totally oblivious to our presence and they simply don’t care either.

Females have a lot of mating scars and we are of the opinion that this is a mating area during the winter months and why not?  Compared to their counterparts up in KwaZulu-Natal, who contend with far greater diver activity, boat activity and industrial pollution, it would seem the logical choice to spend time along the Wild Coast where there is way more peace and tranquility and of course, no industrial pollution in our waters.

When one spends time with these magestic and relaxed sharks, one has to think about what the human race is doing as a negative for shark populations with the demand for bather protection along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline by non education and a no care attitude adopted by many an ocean user.

Once educated, people will realize the vital role that sharks have to play within our oceans in keeping the delicate balance and it is this that we all need to share amongst each other to ensure conservation and preservation of all shark species within our oceans globally.

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More at http://divingwithsharks.co.za

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Sardine Run update day 38.

Sardine Run 2017 has been nothing short of exhilarating and adrenaline filled for us here at Offshore Africa and it is not over yet by any means!!!!!

Here is a short video clip of what is still going on here with us at Offshore Africa in Port St John’s.

Mother Nature has graced us with absolutely incredible sightings this year and we will start to post some of these for you.

We have spent time with many Brydes Whales, whether sneaking in or making themselves visible to start with on the action.

Orca’s teaching a young calf hunting tactics.

Bull sharks in on the action.

Very brave and determined Dusky sharks in no way fazed about our presence in the water.

Spectacular Humpback whales and their breaching.

Sailfish in on the action.

Super pods of common dolphin, a sight to behold.

Scuba diving with Ragged tooth sharks too many to count

The list just goes on and on………………….and of course the famous silver fish known as Sardines, just to top it all off.

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Spotted Ragged tooth shark course

Our spotted ragged tooth shark course is aimed at all those wishing to learn more about sharks and in particular, about the hugely famous “Raggie” as it is commonly known in these parts of the world.  Other names given to this species are Sand tiger or Grey nurse.

They say………….

We only conserve what we love,
we only love that which we understand,
we only understand what we know,
we only know what we are taught.

Author: Baba Dioum

There has never been a more true saying than the above and especially when it comes to shark preservation & conservation and in fact to sharks in general.

Sharks need our help desperately and it is only through a learning and understanding process that you will come to understand how important these few words are.  We all need to take on the role of shark ambassadors in our oceans, worldwide.

Never before has the plight of sharks been so important as it is now. The converted, those that understand, compared to those that do not,  is heavily tipped on the scale of the latter and it is up to each and every one of us to pass the information on.

It is absolutely imperative that they remain in our oceans and that man understands the pivotal role that they play in our oceans with regards to  sustainability and assisting in maintaining a healthy balance within our oceans.

Amongst other things, this short formal presentation will cover:-

• Ragged tooth shark classification
• Distribution & habitats
• Biology
• Behaviour
• Threats

There will be a short quiz after each section to help you to remember the key points about this species of shark.

You will also do a scuba dive with this incredible shark and be given the opportunity to put your newly found knowledge into perspective when spending time with them underwater.

A highly informative slate will be issued to each diver to keep, which will assist with the learning process in identifying this species.

It is simply not good enough to “just dive” with sharks, one must learn more about them, how vastly different each species is and how one can interact positively and safely with each through additional knowledge gained.

There have been many dives done by divers that see a shark, not really knowing much about it or how it differs to another species.  And on a less positive note, to hear someone say “Did you see the shark” and someone asking “what shark was that” to receive an answer “I don’t know, it was a shark”.

The spotted Ragged tooth shark is a very unique shark in many, many ways and this course will assist you to learn why.

So come and be the difference you would like to see happen through knowledge, respect and understanding.

Come and join us at ScubaCo Dive centre, Aliwal Shoal, South Africa on 6th & 7th August 2017, which will be a kick start date to a series of shark awareness courses in the area over a period of time.

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