Wetpixel Sardine Run Expedition 2006
APR 26, 2006: THREE SPOTS JUST OPENED UP (LATE CANCELLATIONS).
SARDINE RUN, South Africa - June 21-30, 2006
10-day expedition with SEAL (Sea-Air-Land) Expeditions
Join us in South Africa for one of the world's greatest spectacles of nature.
Location - Port St Johns, Eastern Cape, South Africa (and a huge territory of water around there)
Price: $ 4,250 per person, sharing (plus $500 single supplement, if you want your own room)
Every year the world’s greatest marine migration takes place off the South African Wild Coast. Millions of sardines follow the cold winter currents moving north toward the warm Indian Ocean, bringing with them thousands of predators: dolphins, sharks, whales, seals and marine birds.
In order to free up space on the boat and to provide for a better experience for photographers, Wetpixel has decided to limit this trip to 10 spots total (5 pax per zodiac).
Doug Perrine won last year's British Natural History Museum's Wildlife Photographer of the Year award with an image he took while on a sardine run expedition.
sharks tear through a sardine ball (photo: Doug Perrine)
Winner of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award
This trip is for ADVANCED DIVERS only. Non-diving spots are available, but you should be active, and in good health.
For recreational scuba divers, a 10 day Sardine Run expedition will offer a good possibility of success. This time period will allow for bad weather scenarios and variable degrees of marine activity.
To participate in the sardine run, you must arrive in Durban International Airport (via Johannesburg) on June 21, 2006. You may depart anytime starting the evening of June 30th, 2006. All ground transfers within SA are covered by SEAL.
Various extensions are available, which you can book through SEAL directly.
dolphins play in the surf (photo: Doug Perrine)
--- Itinerary ---
| Day | Time | Activity |
| 1 | Arrive at Durban International Airport – met by SEAL Team member and transferred to our dive location in the Eastern Cape | |
| 2 - 9 | 06h45 | Full breakfast (packed breakfast supplied for occasional 06h30 launches) |
| 07h00 | Microlight launches and begins recon | |
| 08h00 | SEAL Teams launch | |
| 11h00 | Light lunch and refreshments available onboard throughout the day | |
| 14h30 | Approximate time back in harbour – dependent on action and weather conditions | |
| 16h00 | Afternoon optional activity – horse riding, sundown cocktails, trail-hikes | |
| 19h00 | 3 course dinner, next day activity planning and good times – SEAL style | |
| 10 | 08h00 | Transfer back to Durban International Airport for short internal flight to Johannesburg. |
divers on a zodiac at the sardine run
--- Accommodations ---
Accommodation is 3 star luxury hotel/ lodge with full amenities and excellent service.
At our Mbotyi location we utilize the wonderfully situated Mbotyi River Lodge. 30 km south, at our Port St Johns location, we use the services of the Outspan Inn situated at the mouth of the mighty Umzimvubu River.
Spectacular vistas over this wild and undeveloped part of Africa, wonderful cuisine and warm South African hospitality make for an incredible atmosphere for our SEAL Teams in this beautiful region.
sharks in a bait ball | sardine run participants (photo: Doug Perrine)
--- More Information ---
Download the following Microsoft Word documents for more information on the trip:
>>> [marketing information, research report, info pack, and f.a.q. - 132kb .zip file] <<<
--- Booking Information & Questions ---
For more information or to book, please contact Eric Cheng via e-mail.
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