The Haven Hotel
  The Wild Coast's best kept secret
  

 
 
 

The Sardine Run


Every year around May/June/July millions of sardines leave the area around the southern Cape coast and journey 1,000km along the Wild Coast towards Mozambique waters. As this unimaginably vast shoal makes its way, predators like sharks, dolphins, seals, gannets and humans alike gather for this short-lived feeding frenzy.


This phenomenon is thought to be generated when the 'colder water' from the Aghulas Banks 'creeps' up the southern coast of the Eastern Cape , pushing the sardines northwards past the Wild Coast in search of food and warmer waters.

Approximately 23 000 dolphins, 100 000 Cape Gannets, and thousands of sharks and game fish follow the shoals northwards, providing anglers with a bountiful harvest. Occasionally shoals come close inshore and can be netted from this Wild Coast beach.

Witnessing this phenomenon is an experience of a lifetime and visitors during the winter months are often treated to spectacular activity right in front of the hotel.

 
2006 Events

18th July 2006: "The whale and dolphin activity was fantastic, at times we could see up to 10 whales in the water. Today Chris went to the other side of the reserve - Breezy Point, and he could see literally thousands of birds about 1 kilometer out to sea. He estimates that the shoal of sardines must have been at least 1 kilometer in length and half a kilometer wide."
Denise

Thursday 22nd June 2006: Numerous shoals suddenly appeared after the cold front swept past.

Monday 12th June 2006: There has been a lot of activity over the weekend. A number of small shoals have passed and the whale, dolphin and bird activity has been unreal. Dolphins have been surfing the waves down the side of the island.

Tuesday 6th June 2006: Two humpback whales were spotted in front of the hotel.

Saturday 3rd June 2006: Small shoals sighted off the Hotel. Numerous birds diving. Dolphins can be seen following the shoals.

It seems as though the little silver fish avoided most of the South Coast this year, maybe because the water was too warm! We were lucky down here at The Haven on the Wild Coast - the sardines passed through quite close to shore and there was an abundance of whales and dolphins. Maybe next year will be better!!!