The Sardine Run – is a unique and unexplained phenomenon of millions of sardines traveling up the east coast of South Africa during our winter months, from as early as May to as late as July and even into August at times, causing a frenzy of excitement amongst everyone and everything that comes into contact with them. The Sardine Run on the Wild Coast, of which Port St Johns is the center, and hom
e to, should not be confused with Sardine Fever, which is what the Sardine Run becomes, when the sardines get to the South Coast of Kwa Zulu Natal, and beach themselves on the beaches there. The residents of the South Coast go a bit mad, hence the name ‘Sardine Fever’, collecting the fish in any vessel they can – including older ladies scooping up the fish in their skirts! These small silver fish migrate from the colder waters of the Antarctic into the warm sub-tropical waters of the Wild Coast, Eastern Cape and up into KwaZulu-Natal in a northwards direction to spawn. With the continental shelf being closer to land in the area of Port St John’s & Waterfall Bluff, along the Wild Coast, than any other place along the east coast of S.A., this causes a funneling effect to take place bringing these little fish closer to shore. The sardines that do make it up to Kwa ZuluNatal, spawn and move further offshore in the Durban area and finally disappear into the vast blue ocean, and then repeat the cycle the following year. Every day we could see hundreds of Cape Gannets plunge diving into the shoal of sardines to capitalize on the wealth of food that is available. The numbers and variety of sharks is something else and anything from Bronze Whaler, Zambezi, Hammerhead, Copper, Tiger, Mako, Dusky, Blacktip and Great Whites can be seen. Bottlenose and Common dolphins join in the excitement and employ a hunting strategy that works the shoals into what is referred to as a "baitball". By working together the dolphins herd the sardines into a tight ball and push them towards the surface. The dolphins then pounce on them, gorging themselves on the tiny fish whilst the Cape Gannets get their bit from the surface and from their amazing plunge diving tactics. The sharks are also active on the action and some wait patiently at the bottom of the baitball for their piece of the action. The common dolphins use the sardine run to teach their young to hunt as well as capitalize on the rich source of food available to them. The Cape Gannet young are already feeding themselves and one can often see adult and youngster plunge diving for their meal. Rarer dolphin species, such as Heavyside, Risso’s and Pan Pacific Spotted also join the Sardine Run sometimes. For bird lovers, we can expect to see a huge variety of pelagic birds ranging from a few of the Albatros species through to the White chinned petrel and Wedgetailed Shearwater. Orcas, (so called Killer Whales), Cape fur seals and African (Jackass) penguins, are occasionally seen during the Sardine Run. Notwithstanding all of this, the Humpback whale annual migration northwards also takes place during this time, starting early in June, with their migration to the warmer waters of Mozambique and lasting as late as November, early December for their homeward trip back to Antarctic. Southern Right whales, Brydes whales and Minke whales are occasional visitors, making whale watching exciting. The sardine run is an event for everyone to enjoy - be it bird watchers, marine-life enthusiasts, amateur or highly experienced divers or snorkellers. Experience the Sardine Run beneath the waves or above. It truly is one of the greatest marine spectacles on earth.
