Best time to dive Sardine Run (Wild Coast)
The 'Greatest Shoal on Earth' passes the Wild Coast in June–July, bringing dolphins, sharks, gannets and whales; operators run trips only then. The run is variable and has been weaker in recent years.
Peak season: June–July
Overall diving, month by month
Balanced scoring · forecasts include the 2026/27 El Niño outlook
Confidence: Nov medium · Dec medium · Jan medium · Feb medium · Mar medium · Apr medium · May medium · Jun low · Jul low · Aug low · Sep low · Oct low · Nov low · Dec low
What's good when
Each attribute scored 0–10 for every month
| Nov2026 | Dec | Jan2027 | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pelagic & big animals | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Macro life | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Coral & reef health | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Visibility | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Water temperature | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Weather & sea state | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Operations & access | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Water temperature & visibility
| Month | Water | Visibility |
|---|---|---|
| November 2026 | 22.0 °C (72 °F) | 10–15 m |
| December 2026 | 23.0 °C (73 °F) | 10–15 m |
| January 2027 | 24.0 °C (75 °F) | 10–15 m |
| February 2027 | 24.5 °C (76 °F) | 10–15 m |
| March 2027 | 24.0 °C (75 °F) | 10–15 m |
| April 2027 | 23.0 °C (73 °F) | 10–15 m |
| May 2027 | 21.5 °C (71 °F) | 10–15 m |
| June 2027 | 20.0 °C (68 °F) | 10–15 m |
| July 2027 | 19.0 °C (66 °F) | 10–15 m |
| August 2027 | 19.0 °C (66 °F) | 10–15 m |
| September 2027 | 19.5 °C (67 °F) | 10–15 m |
| October 2027 | 20.5 °C (69 °F) | 10–15 m |
| November 2027 | 22.0 °C (72 °F) | 10–15 m |
| December 2027 | 23.0 °C (73 °F) | 10–15 m |
Marine life calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| sardine run | ● | Peak | Peak | ● | ||||||||
| common dolphin | ● | Peak | Peak | ● | ||||||||
| humpback whale | ● | Peak | Peak | Peak | ● | |||||||
| bronze whaler shark | ● | Peak | Peak | ● |
Peak = best odds · ● = regularly seen · blank = unlikely. Calendar months, every year.
About the diving
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Current strength
- 4 / 5
- Luxury level
- 2 / 5
- Typical depth
- 0–20 m
- Max depth of interest
- 25 m
- Dive styles
- Day boat
- Suggested certification
- Advanced Open Water (blue-water drops)
- Nearest airport
- DUR
- Snorkelling
- Good
- Known for
- sardine shoals, common dolphin, bronze whaler shark, humpback whale, diving Cape gannets
Famous sites: Bait balls off Mbotyi · Port St Johns · Coffee Bay
Season notes & sources
- The 'Greatest Shoal on Earth' passes the Wild Coast in June–July, bringing dolphins, sharks, gannets and whales; operators run trips only then. The run is variable and has been weaker in recent years.