Five reasons to experience the magic of South Africa's sardine run
Each winter, a spectacular display of nature unfolds along South Africa's East Coast, captivating tourists, researchers, and locals alike.
Known as the Sardine Run, this seasonal migration of billions of small, silvery fish encapsulates one of the grandest natural phenomena on the planet, attracting a dazzling array of marine predators and observers.
With the migration typically commencing from late May to July, the sardines are drawn to cooler waters sparked by a drop in sea temperatures, making their journey an awe-inspiring sight against the backdrop of the South African coastline.
'This thrilling phenomenon is as spectacular as it is unpredictable, as no two seasons are the same due to the variation in timing and scale,' explains Shaun Lamont, Managing Director of First Group Hotels and Resorts.
Each year presents a unique marine spectacle as sardines traverse the Transkei coast in the Eastern Cape, making their way along the Wild Coast and up to the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, ultimately creating a feeding frenzy as they become the prey of numerous apex predators, including dolphins, sharks, and predatory fish.
Unlike a singular, continuous shoal, the Sardine Run comprises multiple groups arriving at varying times and locations, typically spanning four to six weeks. 'Most years, the run doesn't extend much beyond Durban,' clarifies Lamont, 'due to warmer water temperatures and strong currents that tend to disperse the shoals.'
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