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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Sardine run Port St John’s

The sardine run , which takes place along our coastline here in Port St John’s, is our most exciting event on the marine calendar for all of us here at Offshore Africa.

From mid May we start to pay even closer attention to our ocean here, to what we may start to see earlier than normal so that we can head out to sea to start filming.  Being the only locally based operator along the entire Wild Coast, we are always on stand by to start our sardine run season whenever Mother Nature gives us the first sign that action is on its’ way.  We are also super privileged to be able to be the last boat on this coast for any late action that may take place.

We actually call it the sardine run ocean safari as the amount of marine life in the same area and at the same time is a mind blow for all marine lovers, whether a diver, snorkeller, passenger or top side photographer.

Sardine Run

Is the same as being on a game drive in the African bush.  Each outing is different, each half an hour or less, in time, is different and we never know what we are going to see until we are back at the base.  It is the day that a person on a game drive decides not to go that everything is sighted and it is no different here during our months of June/July and even into early August.

Some ocean days are far more taxing than others by way of ocean conditions, weather and encounters. It is not uncommon to be hopping on and off the boat at least 15 times in a days’ outing as action happens.  Neither is it uncommon to be on the boat for most of the days’ outing doing top side photography.  This is what makes the sardine run so, so exciting.  No one knows what each minute is going to bring.

Just as we unpack lunch on board our vessels, thinking that we have a short break to have something to eat and drink, the cape gannets start to pull in from nowhere and we go from nothing to chaos. One wonders where all the absent birds and dolphins arrive from at moments like these.  How can the ocean go from being relatively quiet to chaos in 5 minutes one asks?

Well that is the sardine run ocean safari in a nutshell.  There are no guarantees on dates or a specific time in a day for action to happen.  That is what makes it exciting beyond exciting!!!

We hope you enjoy this short clip of our sardine run Port St John’s.

2018 bookings are open.  Come and join us for an experience of a lifetime, our passion, the sardine run ocean safari.

http://www.divingwithsharks.co.za

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Southern right whales sardine run 2017 were yet another highlight of what can be sighted during sardine run.

We never know what is going to be spotted each day, never mind each hour within each day on the boats during sardine run

Chance encounters just happen and when they do, they always cause a stir.

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Orca’s sardine run 2017 caused quite a stir.

Not only were there 4 of them, there were 3 visibly teaching a calf hunting tactics.

Watching a common dolphin swim for it’s life was something to behold.

Celebrating it getting away inshore was another thing.

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Sardine Run ocean safari 2017 has been an insanely exciting, adrenaline filled time.

We are on day 37 of Sardine Run ocean safari 2017 and it has been an amazing season.

Since our start date of 11 June, it has been one amazing day after the next.

Baitballs all over the place, Brydes Whales scooping sardines in front of the divers, Bull sharks in on the action, what else can we say.

We will try to capture the year in the form of video and photographs, but to be here, in person and on the boat, is a TOTAL MUST DO THING!!!!!

from Offshore Africa Port St John’s, the only locally based operator specializing in Sardine Run ocean safari trips.

Sardine Run 2018 bookings are open. Please get in touch if you are keen to experience this exciting event on the marine calendar.

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Captured thru lens during our boat Offshore 1 launch through the surf.

It’s not everyday that whilst you are negotiating the surf launch at the start of day, sardine run 2017, that you have a visitor watching you.

So which do you look at first?  The fin or the surf and ocean ahead of you?

Well the surf and ocean of course but one wonders if it were not for the camera, did any of our clients see it?

Questions that come to mind are size, species, curiosity to be where the boat is launching and many other interesting facts.

Check out this new image

from Offshore Africa Port St John’s.

Sardine Run 2017 bookings are open. Please get in touch if you are keen to experience this exciting event on the marine calendar.

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https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=TZv_Mq0qkVA

Offshore Africa land, sea & air adventures sardine run 2017 is in full swing here at our permanent base in Port St John’s, Wild Coast, South Africa.

The humpback whales have been giving us quite the show with their displays thus far.  Spy hopping, sailing, double & almost triple breaches, it has been truly great.

Lots of shark sightings, 4 species in 1 day, that being Bull shark, blacktip, dusky & bronze whaler have added to all the excitement.

Large pods of common dolphins & bottle nose dolphins have showed themselves.

A giant petrel feeding on a dead penguin was quite the unusual sighting.

Tzulu and the Blade Runner gyro copter have added an element of excitement and adventure.

The cold fronts have started coming in more regularly and today the water temperature is sitting between 19 degrees C and 20 degrees C, with quite the south westerly wind having pulled in from 4am this morning.

Thanks to our good friend Dave for all the drone footage, aerial footage of the surf launches, sightseeing spots and the spectacular Wild coast scenery have all added to an amazing start to the 2017 season.

The social scene has been truly great and our clients have had the opportunity to eat at many a different place in town, with lots of spectacular food for all taste buds.

We are only 10 days into the season but already we have happy smiling, tired faces with many a story being shared and showed on laptops at the end of the day.

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We would like to welcome Nigel aka “Tzulu” Dowsett to the Offshore Africa sardine run team this year as our sardine run gyro copter pilot.

We are absolutely positive that he will fit right in with all of us that have been a team for a long time now.

“Tzulu” will be doing all our aerial spotting for us this year and comes to our team with a wealth of knowledge and experience.

More about him :-

• Tzulu lives off the grid on top of a mountain in the Overberg
• Owner of The Wild Edge bush pilot retreat / Skycam aerial photography
• A grade light sport aviation instructor with 30 years and 5000 hours flying experience on ultralights, fixed wing & rotary wing aircraft
• Flew 9 years sardine run for IMAX, NAT GEO BBC WORLD
• KZN anti poaching
• Whale shark / turtle surveys
• Project Rhino, game counts
• Land Rover / Toyota driver training
• Survival instructor
• Co pilot / medic / rescue swimmer for Nokia / Hunters Air Sea Rescue
• Ski boat surf training instructor
• NSRI coxswain
• Great Barrier Reef DiveMaster / Rescue medic
• Semi submersible coxswain
• 8 years KZN Sharks Board

“Tzulu” has massive experience in marine spotting along our coastline and as can be seen from his “short” bio, you will be safe in the air with him too.

Our sardine run gyro copter team will spend a lot of time in the air for us this year and will prove invaluable in spotting on all levels.

Check out his Youtube video under the heading “The Wild Edge gyro copter rush”.

Offshore Africa will also be offering afternoon gyro copter flights time & weather permitting and once our boats are back at base.

Come and join us for an amazing time, whether air, land or sea.

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Air boat launch…………………..

Offshore Africa is super proud to launch “The Beast” V8 air boat, which is only the 2nd air boat in South Africa to offer river tours.

The air boat compliments Offshore Africa’s already comprehensive fleet existing of Offshore 1 dive boat and Bobalong 30 seater river cruise barge.

The air boat is fast and maneuverable and can get into and through shallow water, to places never before navigated.

The speed of the air boat makes for an exciting river trip like none other.

It is an adrenalin rush coupled with a new way to see the river and it sure will bring a change of hairstyle too!!

Further information to follow soon…………………………..so watch this space.

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