Sardine Run Boat Cruise

Sardine Run Boat Cruise in Port Elizabeth

The Sardine Run is a unique and unforgettable experience, every year during April and May, vast shoals of sardines make their way past Algoa Bay up the East coast of South Africa chased by every marine predator imaginable.

Thousands of common dolphins race to school up the sardines into a tightly packed bait ball at the surface of the water. Cape Gannets then shower down on these Sardines from above while the common dolphins, brydes whales and several shark species are seen feeding from below.

You get to experience this thrilling phenomenon topside from one of our two Safety Authority certified motorised catamarans. We only offer topside viewing as we find that it allows the photographers to stick with the action and therefore not miss out on any great sightings. The BBC have used Raggy Charters for filming the sardine run multiple times and recommend us for our excellent knowledge of the area and its marine life. Read more about the sardine run.

Raggy Charters has put together a 'Surf and Turf' package with any Game Park. We are offering offer a 5 Night Sardine Run and Big 5 package where we will spend 2 days at sea following the whales, dolphins, penguins, seals, sharks and other birds which are chasing these huge shoals of fish. 2 days will then be spent on land at various game reserves searching for the Big 5 (lion, rhino, elephant, buffalo, and leopard), as well as numerous game species and birdlife.

Sardine Run Itinerary

Day One

Arrival at Port Elizabeth airport and transfer to accommodation

Day Two

Sardine run boat trip in Algoa Bay (heading East towards Bird Island)

Day Three

Sardine run boat trip in Algoa Bay (heading West to the Wildside)

Day Four

Full day at Addo Elephant National Park

Day Five

Morning at Cape Recife Nature Reserve (lighthouse tour and bird watching) and afternoon at a private game reserve for a 'tooth and claw' afternoon game drive.

Day Six

Transfer to airport and departure from Port Elizabeth

The Sardine Run package includes

5 nights accommodation including breakfast in Port Elizabeth with in sight the Indian Ocean
2 days at sea (covering Algoa Bay and beyond)
1 day at Addo Elephant National Park
1 visit to Cape Recife Nature Reserve (excluding SANCCOB)
1 game reserve experience at Schotia Game Reserve
Lunch daily
Transfers from/to accommodation

Not included

Flights
Travel insurance
Evening meals
Drinks
Dates:

12th April - 17th April 2026 (Sea days: 13th & 14th weather permitting)
10th May - 15th May 2026 (Sea days: 11th & 12th weather permitting)
17th May - 22nd May 2026 (Sea days: 18th & 19th weather permitting)

Sea days and land days may be swapped around depending on the weather to ensure all activities are fitted in!

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Rates

5 night package: 2025/2026 (1 Nov 2025 to 31 Oct 2026) Cost is R25500 per adult Inc VAT

Please email us directly to make a booking. Minimum of 4 required - done on request only or specific dates

Full Day Tour: 2025/2026 (1 Nov 2025 to 31 Oct 2026)

R5950 per adult incl VAT and R4025 per child u12yrs incl VAT

Please email us directly to make a booking. Minimum of 4 required - done on request only or specific dates (locals please enquire about prices)

Extras

Do you want to see more? You can choose any of the various extras:

Addo National Park: Kabouga Section (for a real African experience in the bush)
Sardine Run Boat Trip (for an extra glance at this amazing phenomenon of whales, dolphins, penguins, gannets and more all in a feeding frenzie)
Penguin Patrol Experience (for an educational outing seeing the endangered African penguin at St Croix Island and visit SANCCOB Penguin Rehabilitation Centre)
City Tour & Woody Cape Day Out (for a historic guide to South African culture)
Country Roads Western District (to experience a different side to Port Elizabeth)
Garden Route Tour (For a little bit more of South Africa)

If you wish to dive/snorkel with the sardine run we recommend our friends over at Pro Dive, who are the only other reputable company in Algoa Bay which offer sardine run cruises.

Disclaimer

Raggy Charters cannot guarantee animal sightings on any cruise. Raggy Charters offers guests the opportunity to view wild animals which will move around at their own will and therefore we cannot be held responsible for the movements of these animals. Guests who are taken to St Croix are guaranteed to see African penguins, and therefore no refund will be given if other marine animals are not spotted. If absolutely no animals are sighted compensation, in the form of a free ticket for the next boat trip, may be given at the discretion of the skipper.