The South African Sardine Run is an incredible natural event where millions of sardines migrate up the coast, attracting a massive feeding frenzy of marine predators. This is a unique spectacle, usually experienced on snorkel due to the dynamic nature of the evolving events, with dolphins, sharks, whales, and seabirds all converging to feast on the sardines.
Our 9-night package combines 7 nights in Chintsa chasing bait balls, followed by 2 nights at Zurberg Mountain Village for a Big 5 safari experience in Addo Elephant Park.
| Location | Accommodation | Meal Plan | Activities | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 to 7 | Chintsa | Buccaneers on the Beach | Full Board | Transfer from East London Airport. 7 nights accommodation in a Treehouse or Deluxe Sea ensuite room 3 meals daily 5 full days on the water Various free activities including kayaking, guided snorkel tours, birding and forest walks. |
| Day 8 to 9 | Addo Elephant Park | Zuurberg Mountain Village | Breakfast & dinner | Transfer to Zuurberg Mountain Village 2 nights accommodation 1 x full day game viewing drive including lunch and 1 x half day game drive in Addo Elephant park |
| Day 10 | Transfer to East London Airport |
The Sardine Run
Billions of sardines, primarily South African pilchards, travel in massive shoals, sometimes stretching for kilometres along the KwaZulu Natal coast. Following the sardines are dolphins, sharks (including dusky, bronze whaler, and great whites), whales (humpbacks and Bryde’s), and seabirds like Cape Gannets. The sardines form dense, swirling bait balls as they try to evade predators, creating a dramatic underwater spectacle. The Sardine Run occurs in winter, so water temperatures are cool (13-21ºC), requiring full cold-water gear, and visibility can vary. Boat launches are from the beach, and can sometimes be aborted if the surf is too big to navigate.
Chintsa
Situated close to the city of East London in the beautiful Eastern Cape Province, Chintsa is a hidden treasure along the Wild Coast of South Africa. It is made up of two small villages: Chintsa East and Chintsa West, which are separated by the Chintsa River Mouth. It features a pristine, unspoilt long stretch of white-sand beach fringed by dense lush vegetation scattered with a variety of wonderful places to stay ranging from luxury to budget accommodation. Chintsa offers visitors the opportunity to surf, kayak along the river, enjoy a fishing excursion and soak up the African sun on the spectacular beach.
Addo Elephant Park
Running along Sundays River, just outside the Eastern Cape’s Port Elizabeth, Sundays River Valley is an extraordinary area boasting several unique towns and attractions. Among numerous game reserves and nature parks, the famous Addo Elephant Park provides a wonderland of magnificent scenery and an abundance of wildlife including all members of the Big Five. Addo Elephant National Park is a conservation success story—where a sanctuary created decades ago to save a handful of elephants has grown into a world-class, malaria-free safari destination. With sweeping landscapes, marine diversity, and a high density of Big Five, it offers a truly singular safari experience in a well-managed, accessible setting.
Over the next two days, you will embark on thrilling game drives through Addo Elephant National Park, where you’ll have the chance to observe diverse wildlife in their natural habitat. Elephant encounters are often intimate and awe-inspiring – sometimes they’ll walk right past the vehicle. The park is exceptionally eco-diverse, and includes five of South Africa’s seven biomes, with plans to expand to marine conservation. At the hotel, take the opportunity to unwind and soak in the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, while enjoying the tranquillity and beauty of the landscape.
Buccaneers on the Beach
Buccaneers on the Beach Chintsa is situated in Chintsa West, Eastern Cape, near the Kwelera National Botanical Garden and the East London Coast Nature Reserve. The rooms feature a private bathroom, a refrigerator, a clothes rack, a kettle, bed linen and towels. There is an on-site restaurant where guests can enjoy meals. Additional amenities include a bar, laundry services and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Zuurberg Mountain Village
The Zuurberg Mountain Village is a historic 1861 country hotel bordering the Addo Elephant National Park with 360° mountain views. After the devastating fire in 2008 Zuurberg has been reconstructed and the main building totally renovated to a good 4 star level.
Guests are accommodated in East Cape Edwardian styled air conditioned Cottages; all of which boast high loft ceilings, two private verandas, black wood furnishings and flooring, ensuite with indoor and outdoor shower, and much more. Hotel facilities include a swimming pool, tennis courts, children’s playground, walking trails, restaurant and bar.
Experience the incredible Sardine Run, one of nature’s most spectacular phenomena. Join us on an unforgettable tour as millions of sardines migrate along South Africa’s coastline, attracting an array of marine life, from dolphins to sharks and seabirds. This once-in-a-lifetime event offers a front-row seat to the raw beauty of the ocean.
Pisces Divers
Pisces Divers is a well-known and long standing PADI Dive Centre based in Glencairn, on the False Bay coastline. During the winter months, the dive centre relocates to Chintsa, to be able to offer a superb Sardine Run experience. Experiencing the Sardine Run from Chintsa, Eastern Cape is a unique and spectacular way to witness one of the ocean’s most incredible natural phenomena.
Located about 45 km northeast of East London, Chintsa (also spelled Cintsa) serves as a launch base for Sardine Run expeditions along a roughly 100 km stretch of coastline, extending from East London to the Kei River. The sardine run typically arrives in late May to early June here, offering access to the raw, early migration before it progresses further north.
What Makes the Chintsa Experience Special
Early-season action means shoals are often larger and less fragmented, giving a purer view of the migration before predators disperse them.
Smaller group sizes and few competing boats mean quieter encounters and often exclusive access to bait ball sites.
Comfortable Eastern Cape winter weather—cool but not harsh—and fewer crowds compared to more established tourist zones further north.
Conveniently much closer to East London Airport, requiring you to spend less time on the rural roads than those travelling further north.
Every year between May and July, billions of South African pilchards (Sardinops sagax) migrate northward along the coast. This migration attracts a flock of predators—dolphins, Cape gannets, sharks, whales, and seabirds—all chasing ‘bait balls’ of sardines. Dolphins chase the sardines into tight ‘bait balls’, then Cape gannets dive from above, and sharks and whales join in to feast!
Water temperatures during the run in Chintsa usually range 16–21 °C, with visibility around 5–15 m, depending on sea conditions. Please note: the sardine run is unpredictable. Some days deliver spectacular frenzies, while others may be quiet or lack the visible ‘bait balls’. Visibility can also vary, sometimes as low as under 5m, especially in cloudy or rough conditions.
Your Typical Daily Experience would be:
- 7:00 Breakfast followed by gearing up and a walk down to the beach
- 7:30-8:00 Boat launch off the sandy shore
- 8:00-15:00 At sea searching for signs: diving birds, dolphin activity.
- 15:00 Return to shore
Pricing for Sardine Run and Addo Elephant Park
| Valid for 2026 Season | AUD | ZAR | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Nights accommodation in a Treehouse Room including all meals 5 full days Sardine Run snorkel tour 2 nights accommodation at Zuurberg Mountain Village including breakfast and dinner 1 x full day shared game drive and 1 x half day game drive Return airport transfers & inter-lodge transfers Activities, transfers and excursions as mentioned in itinerary |
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| Per Person pricing | |||||
| 2 divers | 7033 | ZAR | | | 79918 | |
| This resort's prices are in ZAR and include all government taxes. The AUD prices shown are based on the current exchange rate. The price paid in AUD will be based on the actual exchange rate at the time any payments are made. | |||||
| The per person pricing above is indicative only: we show 7-8 night with 10 dive packages at high-end and lower-end rooms (singles & doubles) for the purposes of comparison. We can give you a price (and availability) for any combination of nights/dives you wish to undertake, which will include any discounts due to you as part of that package, and any exclusions, or items payable at the resort. Please use the [Enquire Now] tab to give us your exact requirements and we'll give you the best deal we can. | |||||
