The Sardine Run, KwaZulu-Natal, South Coast, South Africa:
The Sardine Run is a phenomenal marine event that happens in nature on the South Coast of Kwazulu-Natal, it happens once a year at the start of winter and is an unforgettable experience. The large shoals of sardines that move to warmer waters for winter attract all kinds of different predators and ocean life varying from dolphins and seagulls, to many different kinds and species of sharks. These predators all gather to feast on the hoards of sardines, this creates a unique opportunity for nature and ocean lovers to learn more about the ecosystem and migrating patterns of various sea creatures. Many fishermen and their families come down for an out of season holiday for the annual opportunity to experience the run with their loved ones and take home a huge haul of freshly caught fish.
Why does this event occur?
Each year, with the change of the seasons, the ocean water in the south close to the Cape gets too cold for the sardines to survive in, that is when they start migrating northward towards the warmer waters of Kwazulu-Natal’s coastline. This is where the sardines stay for the entirety of the Winter, they will then return to the Cape waters between spring and summer when the temperatures start to rise once again!
When does it happen?
Once every year the sardine run will start in the Autumn month of May, the starting point of the run is dependent on the temperature of the water although this is normally when the sardines start migrating and moving up along the KZN coast. The run then starts slowing down in June and finally comes to an end around the month of July, so now is the time to grab your fishing gear, get some nets, start prepping and have a blast!
Where does The Sardine Run take place?
The sardines start their journey from the Cape and swim their way up in a northward direction along the east coast and south coast, you will commonly start seeing them be the most active in Port Edward moving their way up to Ramsgate and Margate then getting to Uvongo and Shelly Beach, then finally in Umtentweni, after they migrated to waters with a better suited temperature for them, the fish will then settle in the deeper waters of Kwazulu-Natal and stay there until the waters start to warm up again in the springtime.
The sardine run is an exciting adventure where you can witness not only tons of sardines migrating for the winter but meet new people, gain useful skills and make great memories. Hundreds of locals and travelers combined come to celebrate the beauty of nature at its finest during this time, spend quality time with their families and to bring a bountiful harvest back home with them. If fishing and catching the Sardines aren’t up your alley then it’s still an unbelievable event to witness and learn about in person, making your stay on holiday even more amazing or even enjoying it as a local!
