Mai 4, 2024 |
Winter is the best season for diving on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, when the colder waters bring the world's largest shoal - the annual ‘Sardine Run’, the largest biomass migration on the planet and an ocean spectacle that should be on every diver's bucket list.
In this annual event, schools of silver fish head north, close to the coast, attracting a host of marine life looking for food in quantity. From various species of seabirds diving into the water, to dolphins, sharks and even whales chasing the large shoals.
Fishermen from the local communities who live in the region also take to the waters to enjoy this annual feast, with sardines being one of the many traditional delicacies, according to Getaway.
“With two of the world’s top dive sites at Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks, the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast has long been an attractive destination for divers worldwide, but the Sardine Run is undoubtedly one of the most exciting times to experience this beautiful part of the world as the ocean is alive with action,” said Phelisa Mangcu, CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE). ‘We have several highly experienced dive operators ready to assist with scuba training and equipment hire, catering to everyone from novice to experienced”, she added.
Roland Mauz, from African Dive Adventures, has been taking keen divers on the Sardine Run experience since the operation began in 1996. The dive operation, based in Shelly Beach, takes divers to the incredible Protea Banks and Aliwal Shoal dive sites - both Marine Protected Areas - and wherever the Sardine Run action is taking place.
“Diving on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, let alone during sardine season, is a highlight in every diver’s logbook,” explained Mauz. “Protea Banks is one of Africa’s best shark diving sites, delivering shark sightings on almost every dive at any time of the year. At different times we see different shark species, and experienced shark enthusiasts can be 100% certain they will find what they are looking for”, he says.
Regarding the ‘Sardine Run’, Mauz says that this is a world-renowned natural phenomenon: ‘Experiencing this spectacle is a privilege that should not be missed. Along the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, the best places to see the Sardine Run are around Port Edward, where visitors who book packages have an incredible adventure in nature.’
Photo: Getaway
