Offshore Africa Port St Johns

Offshore Africa Port St Johns Sardine run specialist operator Offshore Africa also offers ocean adventure trips & ocean photographic trips on our vessels Offshore 1 & Offshore II.
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Offshore Africa is the only locally based sardine run specialist operator along the Wild Coast and based in Port St John's, having offered our sardine run trips from here since before 2008. Our river cruise trips onboard our 24 seater vessel "Bobalong" barge are also a MUST DO for anyone visiting Port St John's.

20/07/2024

Unedited. Raw footage from this afternoon, our season last day with crazy action. An insane mackerel ball with a sneaky Brydes whale arriving unannounced 😁 Thanks for the capture 📸

🥰 Some of our team have finished the season, others have another day or two. But just a massive thanks to this team of o...
19/07/2024

🥰 Some of our team have finished the season, others have another day or two. But just a massive thanks to this team of ours for making this season so special. Sardine Run 2024 has been so much fun and we are truly grateful to have an incredible team like this to keep us going! Every single person has played a vital part in making sure this season runs as smooth as possible and we couldn’t thank each person enough. 💙💙💙










🦭The phenomenon of the migration creates a frenzy among marine predators. One of these predators being the Cape Fur Seal...
13/07/2024

🦭The phenomenon of the migration creates a frenzy among marine predators. One of these predators being the Cape Fur Seals (Arctocephalus pusillus), who are agile and skillful hunters. These mammals have sharp instincts and strong bodies which allows them to seize this incredible opportunity and feast on abundant sardines.

💙 Cape Fur Seals communication with one another using a range of vocalizations such as barks, growls and grunts.

📸 Beautiful image by Thomas Roger










💙 These common dolphins (Delphinus Delphis & Delphinus Capensis) have developed techniques of corralling fish into tight...
29/06/2024

💙 These common dolphins (Delphinus Delphis & Delphinus Capensis) have developed techniques of corralling fish into tighter baitballs that are closer to the surface and then plowing through these baitballs to snack on their prey. This is almost seen as a dance & is so beautiful to observe.

📸 Thank you to Thomas Roger for this beautiful image!










26/06/2024

💙🦈 Seriously special day for all of us!

Another great video of a blue shark seen today!

📹 Michael Dowker










26/06/2024

💙 Very unique sightings today!

🙌🏽 We spent most of our time around 15kms out to sea - which is when we’re past the continental shelf.

🦈 When we’re this far out - dynamics change.
Suddenly instead of having the general shark species seen in shallower waters, we got blessed on almost every drop today to see blue sharks!

🦭 We also had cape fur seal, a mako and brydes whale!!

📹 Raúl Castelló










20/06/2024

This is what the sardine run is all about 👌😁. The excitement of what Mother Nature will bring on an hourly basis, sharing all the experiences with our clients and making dreams come true where we can and whenever possible 📸💪💙

2024 sardine run journalists visit hosted by Eastern Cape Tourism .

19/06/2024

Super privileged clients and crew 💙 thanks for the capture and share Michael Dowker with Clive Smith 👏👏

18/06/2024

🤯 Happening RIGHT now! What a way to start the day! 💪👏😁😁

📸 Videos from Brad & Rob.










3.2.1. ✨️🎉🎶 and we officially start our sardine run 2024 expedition season today. With the arrival of our 1st clients ...
07/06/2024

3.2.1. ✨️🎉🎶 and we officially start our sardine run 2024 expedition season today. With the arrival of our 1st clients its... Game on 😁💪. our exciting best time of the year season starts 👏 We are so excited to see all our repeat clients, to meet our new clients and to share so many ocean stories at the end of the day.

Watch this space always for updates.

05/06/2024

Brad, our pilot, arrives in the next few days!

✈️ Did you know? We offer full and exclusive to Offshore Africa aerial support (spotting) with our fixed wing aircraft & pilot.

It is NOT shared aerial support with any other operator.

👀 Our pilot Brad is an integral part of our team, with an incredible eye for action from his vantage point in the sky. Brad is also a qualified diver and knows what we are looking for.

🐟 The fixed wing Sling aircraft is capable of flying in most weather conditions, is able to check north and south for us faster than we can get there and faster than any microlight or gyrocopter can. It is the perfect aircraft for the sardine run and for our spotting requirements. In a nutshell it is the perfect tool for the job.

Thanks to Josh Herisson for this video!










30/05/2024

🐟 In this video, you can see the way these small fish try to protect themselves by forming bait balls. A bait ball is a spherical formation of small fish that group tightly together when threatened by predators. By clustering together, individual fish reduce their chances of being singled out and eaten. The risk of predation is spread out over many individuals.

🦈 Predators have evolved strategies to counter bait ball defences. For example, some predators work in groups to break up the bait ball, while others use high-speed attacks to disrupt the formation.

🎥 Video captured by Josh Herisson ( )










28/05/2024

Sardine Run last year was amazing!! We're looking forward to seeing what this year has in store for us and looking forward to seeing everyone again!

Repost of this amazing clip from 🤩










Did you know that ragged tooth sharks, also known as the sand tiger shark (Carcharias ta**us):🦈 Are easily recognizable ...
27/05/2024

Did you know that ragged tooth sharks, also known as the sand tiger shark (Carcharias ta**us):

🦈 Are easily recognizable by their protruding, needle-like teeth that stick out even when their mouths are closed. They have a bulky body, a flattened snout, and small eyes. Their coloration is generally brownish-gray with darker spots on their backs and sides.

🦈 Are found in warm or temperate waters in coastal regions around the world. They inhabit the Atlantic, Indian, and western Pacific Oceans. They prefer sandy coastal waters, shallow bays, and estuaries but can also be found around rocky reefs and wrecks.

🦈 Are nocturnal hunters and primarily feed on bony fish, small sharks, crustaceans, and squid. They have an interesting feeding strategy where they gulp air at the surface and hold it in their stomachs to maintain buoyancy, allowing them to hover motionless while hunting.

🦈 Have a unique reproductive strategy known as intrauterine cannibalism or adelphophagy. The embryos develop inside the mother's uterus and the strongest embryo consumes its siblings, resulting in typically only one or two offspring being born per pregnancy. This ensures that the surviving pups are well-nourished and have a higher chance of survival after birth.

Images by Philipp Opperman ()










🐋 Each year we are extremely privileged to experience the annual migration of the Humpback Whales from their home in Ant...
17/05/2024

🐋 Each year we are extremely privileged to experience the annual migration of the Humpback Whales from their home in Antarctic northwards to the warmer waters of Mozambique & Tanzania.

✨ Females give birth to their calves in the warmer waters and during this migration, one can witness entire family groups travelling together or a mother and adolescent or simply males travelling together.

🌍 We can see the humpback whales making their northward migration to the warmer waters from as early as late May, early June and then starting with their migration back home southwards any time from early September until late November, sometimes into December.

During this time we witness some exceptional displays of breaching, spy hopping, lob tailing and some very vocal communication between individuals and family groups.

📸 Beautiful image by Brandon Cole










08/05/2024

🤯🤩 What do you think Sardine Run for 2024 will look like?

Incredible footage from Peter Löseke (Behind the Mask)🔥🔥🔥










🚣 The Umzimvubu River itself is one of the largest rivers in the Eastern Cape province!✨ Port St. Johns boasts a captiva...
19/04/2024

🚣 The Umzimvubu River itself is one of the largest rivers in the Eastern Cape province!

✨ Port St. Johns boasts a captivating river mouth where the mighty Umzimvubu River meets the Indian Ocean, creating a scenic and dynamic ecosystem. The river mouth serves as a focal point for various recreational activities, anglers flock to its shores to try their luck at catching a variety of fish species, while bird enthusiasts can spot a diverse array of birdlife.

📷 Thanks to our Pilot Brad Isaacson for these photos!










👇 A little introduction:Offshore Africa is owner run and managed by Rob Nettleton & Debbie Smith, a highly experienced t...
12/04/2024

👇 A little introduction:

Offshore Africa is owner run and managed by Rob Nettleton & Debbie Smith, a highly experienced team whose experience in the industry spans in excess of 30 years.

🐟 We specialise in the famous Sardine Run ocean safari, which is an absolute passion of ours.

🦈 Whether you are after memorable photos or specialized itineraries & packages, the team of Offshore Africa Port St. Johns will ensure that you enjoy safe and exciting opportunities to get that special shot that you are after, above or under the water. Specializing in up close and personal encounters with some of the east coast of Africa’s larger marine creatures i.e. various Shark species, Whales, Dolphins, Mantas and a large variety of oceanic bird species, amongst other fascinating big marine game.

We offer a variety of ocean related trips to suit your needs and we offer scuba diving when conditions allow.

📸 Beautiful images by Greg Lecoeur!










05/04/2024

🐟 Sardines are known for their remarkable swimming behaviour called "bait balls." When threatened by predators such as dolphins, whales, or larger fish, sardines instinctively form tightly packed groups, or bait balls, as a defensive mechanism. This behaviour confuses predators and makes it difficult for them to target individual fish, increasing the chances of survival for the sardines. It's a fascinating example of collective behaviour in the animal kingdom.

📹 Video footage from Josh Herisson.










When conditions permit, there's a chance for us to dive Raggy Reef! 🦈 Two fun facts below! 👇1️⃣ Ragged tooth sharks are ...
04/04/2024

When conditions permit, there's a chance for us to dive Raggy Reef! 🦈 Two fun facts below! 👇

1️⃣ Ragged tooth sharks are known by various names depending on the region. In addition to "ragged tooth shark," they are also called sand tiger sharks (not to be confused with tiger sharks), grey nurse sharks, and spotted ragged-tooth sharks. This variety of names reflects their wide distribution and diverse habitats.

2️⃣ Tooth Migration: Ragged tooth sharks have a unique dental phenomenon known as tooth migration. Their teeth are continually replaced throughout their lives, with new rows of teeth growing in the back of their mouths and moving forward to replace old or damaged teeth. This constant process ensures that they always have sharp teeth for hunting prey, making them formidable predators in their environment.

📸Stunning image captured by Brandon Cole.










Diving into the playful world of seals during the Sardine Run! 🌊🦭 Did you know? These agile marine mammals are not just ...
26/03/2024

Diving into the playful world of seals during the Sardine Run! 🌊🦭

Did you know? These agile marine mammals are not just masters of the sea but also integral players in the spectacle of the Sardine Run. 🐟💦 As we navigate the coastal waters of Port St. Johns, we're often greeted by curious seals, ready to join in the excitement of the hunt. 🌟

They dart and twist through the water with unmatched grace, adding their own unique flair to the mesmerizing display of nature's abundance. 🌈✨

Incredible image by Greg Lecoeur!








Surrounded by the mesmerizing spectacle of super pods during the Sardine Run! 🐬💫 Did you know? Common dolphins are known...
20/03/2024

Surrounded by the mesmerizing spectacle of super pods during the Sardine Run! 🐬💫

Did you know? Common dolphins are known for their incredible intelligence and social behaviors, often forming alliances with other species like sharks and even seabirds to maximize their hunting success! 🌊✨

Experience the awe-inspiring sight of hundreds - even thousands - of these clever creatures gracefully gliding through the waves in perfe

Images by Rob Nettleton.








Braving the elements for the breathtaking sunrise spectacle of the Sardine Run! 🌅Early mornings on the coast of Port St....
18/03/2024

Braving the elements for the breathtaking sunrise spectacle of the Sardine Run! 🌅

Early mornings on the coast of Port St. Johns unveil a world of unparalleled beauty, with the golden hues of dawn painting the sky as our backdrop. 🌊✨ But the journey to witness this natural wonder isn't without its challenges.

Launch conditions can be tough, but our skilled skippers navigate with precision and focus, ensuring a safe and unforgettable adventure for all. 🚢💪

Join us as we rise to meet the dawn and embark on an extraordinary journey through the untamed waters of the Sardine Run!






Just when you think you've seen it all, nature surprises us with the extraordinary. 🌟 Introducing the Orca, a rare and m...
16/03/2024

Just when you think you've seen it all, nature surprises us with the extraordinary. 🌟

Introducing the Orca, a rare and magnificent sight amidst the chaos of the run. 🐬💙 From playful dolphins to massive whales, and everything in between, the diversity of marine life on the Sardine Run never fails to amaze. 🐟✨

Join us where every day holds the promise of encountering the unexpected!






Diving into the wonders of the Sardine Run in Port St. Johns, South Africa! 🐬💦 It's a breathtaking spectacle to watch th...
14/03/2024

Diving into the wonders of the Sardine Run in Port St. Johns, South Africa! 🐬💦

It's a breathtaking spectacle to watch the common dolphins in action as they playfully leap out of the water - affectionately known as 'jumping dollies'. 🌊🐟

Did you know? These agile creatures use this acrobatic behavior to corral and herd massive shoals of sardines, creating a feeding frenzy like no other! 🎣🌟 Join us on this adventure where nature's spectac

Images by Rob Nettleton!






07/03/2024

We are incredibly lucky to be able to experience this annually. 🐬

Dolphins, sharks, birds, seals, whales and of course sardines. 🤩 Our 2023 season was insane - we’re so looking forward to our 2024 season.

📹 :










27/02/2024

We cannot wait to see you all very soon for our 2024 expedition 💙





Most “bait balls” are generally driven to the surface effectively blocking off one avenue of escape. 🐟This in turn allow...
20/02/2024

Most “bait balls” are generally driven to the surface effectively blocking off one avenue of escape. 🐟

This in turn allows oceanic bird species to take full advantage of this incredible food source. Albatrosses (Diomedeidae), Terns (Sternidae) ,Cape Cormorant (Phalacrocorax capensis) and Skua’s to name a few. The most common of these is the Cape Gannet (Morus capensis), which is a highly skilled aerial predator and is one of the truly remarkable predators from the world of birds. 🦅










Address

1565 Ferry Point Road
Port Saint John's
5120

Opening Hours

Monday 07:00 - 18:00
Tuesday 07:00 - 18:00
Wednesday 07:00 - 18:00
Thursday 07:00 - 18:00
Friday 07:00 - 18:00
Saturday 07:00 - 18:00
Sunday 07:00 - 18:00

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Videos

🐋 From the last day of our 2024 season! 💙 Brydes whales (Balaenoptera edeni) are also known as ‘tropical whales’, due to their preference for waters of 16° Celsius or higher 📸 Charlotte Ahls #SardineRun2024 #oceanmigrations #sardinerun #sardinerunportstjohns #portstjohns #southafricansardinerun #bucketlisttrip #bucketlistdiving #easterncapetourism #adventurediving

🐋 DOUBLE BREACH from the sky! 📹 Brad Isaacson. #SardineRun2024 #oceanmigrations #sardinerun #sardinerunportstjohns #portstjohns #southafricansardinerun #bucketlisttrip #bucketlistdiving #easterncapetourism #adventurediving

Here is our 2024 season summed up! We couldn’t have done it without you all! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. We couldn’t say it enough! These memories will stay with us for a very long time. 💙 From all of our clients that turned into friends, to our skippers, our dive guides, our land-based crew - every single person deserves a BIG thank you! 📹 Footage from everyone! Thank you all for sharing it with us! #SardineRun2024 #oceanmigrations #sardinerun #sardinerunportstjohns #portstjohns #southafricansardinerun #bucketlisttrip #bucketlistdiving #easterncapetourism #adventurediving

Unedited. Raw footage from this afternoon, our season last day with crazy action. An insane mackerel ball with a sneaky Brydes whale arriving unannounced 😁 Thanks for the capture @Isabel_Ley 📸 #sardinerunportstjohns #SardineRun2024 #oceanmigrations #bucketlistadventures #portstjohns #easterncapetourism

🐋💙 We just spent 2 hours snorkelling with this Bryde’s Whale!! 🐟 Such an unusual encounter. The Bryde’s Whale is normally a shy and sneaky whale - you barely see them coming and next thing they’ve swallowed a bunch of sardines and are off again. 🔥 BUT we just got out of the water after an incredible encounter where this whale chose to make itself visible, circling round and round everyone for about 2 hours. I don’t think anyone can say they’ve ever spent 2 hours in the water with a Bryde’s whale! 📹 Mike Dowker #SardineRun2024 #oceanmigrations #sardinerun #sardinerunportstjohns #portstjohns #southafricansardinerun #bucketlisttrip #bucketlistdiving #easterncapetourism #adventurediving

Such excitement after today. Sharing reels of the awesome shark ball. Sardine run 2024 has been epic thus far #SardineRun2024 #oceanmigrations #bucketlistdiving #sardinerunportstjohns

🤯 Sneak peek of what Offshore 2 has already been in the water with this morning! Gets better and better as you carry on watching! 📹 Josh Herisson #SardineRun2024 #oceanmigrations #sardinerun #sardinerunportstjohns #portstjohns #southafricansardinerun #bucketlisttrip #bucketlistdiving #easterncapetourism #adventurediving

🤩 Wait till the end! So accurately captured. One moment you’re in the water filming dolphins or a bait ball and all of a sudden - you’re greeted by something unexpected but beautiful! 📹 Laurent Guenego #SardineRun2024 #oceanmigrations #sardinerun #sardinerunportstjohns #portstjohns #southafricansardinerun #bucketlisttrip #bucketlistdiving #easterncapetourism #adventurediving

💙🔥 Beautiful SAILFISH (Istiophorus platypterus) moment from today! 📹 @vinceronin #SardineRun2024 #oceanmigrations #sardinerun #sardinerunportstjohns #portstjohns #southafricansardinerun #bucketlisttrip #bucketlistdiving #easterncapetourism #adventurediving

An epic day today!! Blue sharks on the baitball. We've never seen this before. 🤔 Thanks to @mozambiqueexperience for the perfect capture #sardinerunportstjohns #oceanmigrations #sardinerun2024 #portstjohns #bucketlistdiving

💙🦈 Seriously special day for all of us! Another great video of a blue shark seen today! 📹 Michael Dowker #SardineRun2024 #oceanmigrations #sardinerun #sardinerunportstjohns #portstjohns #southafricansardinerun #bucketlisttrip #bucketlistdiving #easterncapetourism #adventurediving

💙 Very unique sightings today! 🙌🏽 We spent most of our time around 15kms out to sea - which is when we’re past the continental shelf. 🦈 When we’re this far out - dynamics change. Suddenly instead of having the general shark species seen in shallower waters, we got blessed on almost every drop today to see blue sharks! 🦭 We also had cape fur seal, a mako and brydes whale!! 📹 Raúl Castelló #SardineRun2024 #oceanmigrations #sardinerun #sardinerunportstjohns #portstjohns #southafricansardinerun #bucketlisttrip #bucketlistdiving #easterncapetourism #adventurediving

😱 Make sure to watch till the end to see the insane amount of birds and to spot a sneaky surprise!! ✨ One of those moments where you can’t help but shout with excitement! Let us know in the comments if you spot it! 📹 Videos captured by Josh Herisson. #SardineRun2024 #oceanmigrations #sardinerun #sardinerunportstjohns #portstjohns #southafricansardinerun #bucketlisttrip #bucketlistdiving #easterncapetourism #adventurediving

💙 Some of the action from yesterday - Day 12 on the run! 🐬 A few things you could see on every outing – huge pods of dolphin sometimes numbering in their thousands, numerous species of sharks (if visibility allows) are seen individually or in large packs on most “jump-ins”. A huge variety of oceanic bird life including the well-known Cape Gannet, which arrives in their thousands, 5 species of Albatross, Petrels, Cormorants, Terns and of course, through it all, we have the annual Humpback Whale migration offering loads of breaching and surface displays due to the topography of our coastline. The attraction of it all is the fact that one just never knows what one will come across or experience on any given day. 💙 📹 Video captured by our in-water guide, Michael Dowker. #SardineRun2024 #oceanmigrations #sardinerun #sardinerunportstjohns #portstjohns #southafricansardinerun #bucketlisttrip #bucketlistdiving #easterncapetourism #adventurediving

This is what the sardine run is all about 👌😁. The excitement of what Mother Nature will bring on an hourly basis, sharing all the experiences with our clients and making dreams come true where we can and whenever possible 📸💪💙 2024 sardine run journalists visit hosted by @easterncapeparksandtourism Eastern Cape Tourism @ECPTA. #sardinerunportstjohns #sardinerun #SardineRun2024 #portstjohns #wildcoast #wildcoastsouthafrica #bucketlistadventures #oceanmigrations

🤩🤩 Some underwater footage from today! 💙 All three of our boats got to experience this incredible bait ball with all the ingredients! 📸 Video captured by our in-water guide, Michael Dowker. #SardineRun2024 #oceanmigrations #sardinerun #sardinerunportstjohns #portstjohns #southafricansardinerun #bucketlisttrip #bucketlistdiving #easterncapetourism #adventurediving

🤯 Happening RIGHT now! What a way to start the day! 💪👏😁😁 📸 Videos from Brad & Rob. #SardineRun2024 #oceanmigrations #sardinerun #sardinerunportstjohns #portstjohns #southafricansardinerun #bucketlisttrip #bucketlistdiving #easterncapetourism #adventurediving

🐋 Nice little recap video of the first few days on the run! Offshore 1 (Rob & Richie) and Offshore 2 (Shane & Josh) are both on the water today! 📸 Thank you @jy_freediving for this beautiful video! #SardineRun2024 #oceanmigrations #sardinerun #sardinerunportstjohns #portstjohns #southafricansardinerun #bucketlisttrip #bucketlistdiving #easterncapetourism #adventurediving

Sardine run day 2 👏👌 we are on it with sea, air and land excitement. Keep following and we will try to share as much as we can, when we can 💪👌 Thanks to our pilot Brad Isaacson for 📸📸

Sardine run day 2 👏👌 we are on it with sea, air and land excitement. Keep following and we will try to share as much as we can, when we can 💪👌 Thanks to our pilot Brad Isaacson for 📸📸

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Our Story

With our combined experience in excess of 30 years in the diving & boating industry, we at Offshore Africa pride ourselves on our highly personal & flexible operation. We are confident in our ability to provide that extra personal touch, combined with our knowledge, in all that we do in our business.

As the only experienced sardine run specialist operator based in Port St Johns, we are the only business that is able to offer flexible time frames & accommodation options for our clients.

We love what we do. The ocean is our passion and the sardine run the highlight of each year along our coastline.

We also offer a range of other products, amongst others:-

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