Where and when to see sardines (the sardine run)
Billions of sardines move in huge shoals, drawing dolphins, sharks and gannets. Moalboal has a resident shoal year-round and South Africa's sardine run passes each winter.
This guide documents sightings in 2 Good Dives regions. The most regions are in peak season in June–July.
Sardines (the sardine run) sighting calendar
Calendar months, every year
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MoalboalPhilippines | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
| Sardine Run (Wild Coast)South Africa | ● | Peak | Peak | ● |
Peak = best odds · ● = regularly seen · blank = unlikely.
Calendars describe animal presence, not weather or site access; check each region’s dive season. For grouped animals, a marked month may apply to only one member of the group. Sightings vary by site and dive.