Diving in South Africa/Sardine run - Revision history

Pbsouthwood: /* Get in */

2012-01-08T17:37:57Z

‎Get in

Pbsouthwood: /* Understand */

2011-09-27T11:38:43Z

‎Understand

Pbsouthwood: /* See */

2011-09-27T10:48:03Z

‎See

Pbsouthwood at 12:42, 30 April 2011

2011-04-30T12:42:35Z

Pbsouthwood: /* Prepare */

2011-04-30T12:29:01Z

‎Prepare

Pbsouthwood: /* Prepare */

2011-04-30T12:07:12Z

‎Prepare

Pbsouthwood at 11:20, 30 April 2011

2011-04-30T11:20:17Z

Pbsouthwood: /* See */

2011-04-30T10:52:21Z

‎See

Pbsouthwood: /* Understand */

2011-04-30T10:50:48Z

‎Understand

Pbsouthwood: /* Understand */

2011-04-30T10:48:17Z

‎Understand

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 ==Get in==
 <!--Details on how to arrive at the starting point and how to leave the destination. Try and include as many options as you can think of. Also include getting to and from transportation centers to the starting point and destination.-->
 ==Go==
 <!--An in-depth description of the route. The title of this section reflects the main mode of transport. If the itinerary is a trek, use "Walk", if it is mainly done by car, use "Drive". If you'd use different types of transportation or if it is up to the traveller to choose, use "Go". This section can contain several sub-sections describing successive parts of the route, different alternate routes and important or interesting side trips -->

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 The annual northward coastal migration of Humpback whales occurs at much the same time, and may. if you are lucky, provide extra entertainment.
-Divers from all over the world travel to South Africa for the sardine run, but it is not known for a reliable schedule, and there is a great deal of waiting and some luck involved.
+Divers from all over the world travel to South Africa for the sardine run, but it is not known for a reliable schedule, and there is a great deal of waiting and some luck involved. A small but significant percentage of visitors may not get to see the sardines and associated predators at all due to bad luck and unsuitable weather. Be aware of this when you book.
 ==See==

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 ==See==
 *'''Sardines'''.
-*'''Sharks''' that follow the sardine run are primarily the bronze whaler, but also dusky shark, ragged tooth shark, blacktip shark, spinner shark and zambezi shark.
+*'''Sharks''' that follow the sardine run are primarily the bronze whaler, but also dusky shark, ragged tooth shark, blacktip shark, spinner shark and zambezi shark. Whale sharks and great whites have also occasionally been seen.
-*'''Gamefish''' include shad(elf), king mackerel, various kingfish species, garrick, geelbek and eastern little tuna.
+*'''Gamefish''' include shad(elf), king mackerel, various kingfish species, bonito, garrick, geelbek and eastern little tuna.
-*'''Seabirds''' include the Cape gannet, cormorants, terns and gulls and the occasional penguin.
+*'''Seabirds''' include the Cape gannet, cormorants, terns and gulls and the occasional penguin, albatross, or petrel.
-*'''Marine mammals''' include Bryde's whales(?), common and bottlenose dolphins (estimates of about 18000 dolphins). The Cape Fur Seal follows the shoals as far as Port St Johns.
+*'''Marine mammals''' include Bryde's whales, Humpback whales, dwarf minke whales, common and bottlenose dolphins (estimates of about 18000 dolphins). The Cape Fur Seal follows the shoals as far as Port St Johns. Southern right whales have also been seen, but may not be directly associated with the sardine run, and occasionally Orca have been spotted.
 ==Prepare==

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 If you will be using your own Scuba set, it is probably better to take a couple of small cylinders than a big one, as you may be climbing in and out of the boat several times as the action moves around. Many photographers will even freedive to keep mobile, but this limits underwater time.
-Get fit and practice buoyancy skills. This is all mid-water diving, usually without marker bouys, and usually without a dive leader to show you around. The action is fast and moves around a lot.
+Get fit and practice buoyancy skills. This is all mid-water diving, usually without marker bouys, and usually without a dive leader to show you around. The action is fast and moves around a lot. Some operators require minimum certification of Advanced Diver, and require certification card and log book to be shown as evidence of competence. Soime operators also require a certificate of medical fitness to dive.
 Good fins and good finning fitness will help you keep up. This is scuba diving where long fins are an advantage if your legs are up to it.
-Keep drag to a minimum. The water is normally warm enough (around 15 to 21&deg;C) for 5mm wet suits wth boots gloves and hood. People who get cold easily might prefer a 7mm semi-dry. Avoid bulky BC jackets, dangling hoses and anything else that sticks out to the sides.
+The sardine run is in winter, air temperatures can be expected to range between 15&deg;C and 24&deg;C, and rain is possible. Sea conditions may vary between flat and windless and roller coaster swell with a stong wind.
 It is worth taking an underwater camera or video recorder if you have one. Know how to use it before you dive, and set up for natural light wide angle unless you are quite proficient. If you have no camera, consider getting a GoPro headmount video, but if you do, also get the flat lens port adaptor. Put this on your head and it will record everything you look at during the dive. Quality may not be wonderful, but you will have the record.
 For the boat trip, you should take sun protection, a hat, sunglasses and perhaps binoculars.

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 Good fins and good finning fitness will help you keep up. This is scuba diving where long fins are an advantage if your legs are up to it.
-Keep drag to a minimum. The water is normally warm enough for wet suits (around 20&deg;C). Avoid bulky BC jackets, dangling hoses and anything else that sticks out to the sides.
+Keep drag to a minimum. The water is normally warm enough (around 15 to 21&deg;C) for 5mm wet suits wth boots gloves and hood. People who get cold easily might prefer a 7mm semi-dry. Avoid bulky BC jackets, dangling hoses and anything else that sticks out to the sides.
 It is worth taking an underwater camera or video recorder if you have one. Know how to use it before you dive, and set up for natural light wide angle unless you are quite proficient. If you have no camera, consider getting a GoPro headmount video, but if you do, also get the flat lens port adaptor. Put this on your head and it will record everything you look at during the dive. Quality may not be wonderful, but you will have the record.
 Bookings for boat space are usually made well ahead of time. Don't expect to turn up and get a place on a few hours notice. Book early, and have a flexible schedule Mdash; the sardines are not concerned with your convenience, and will move at their own speed.
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 '''Dive charter boats catering to the Sardine run:'''
-* <listing name="" alt="" directions="" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price=""></listing>
+* <listing name="SardineRun" alt="" directions="" address="" phone="+27 21 785 4775, mobile +27 86 505 8473" email="info@sardinerun.net" fax="+27 86 505 1800" url="" hours="" price="9-day experience US$ 3995 per person sharing (2010)"></listing>
 ==Get in==

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 <!--Anything you should take care of before setting off: permits, equipment, ... -->
 The sardine hotline on 082 284 9495 gives regular reports and updates on the shoal's progress up the coast.
-Bookings for boat space are usually made well ahead of time. Dont expect to turn up and get a place on a few hours notice. Book early, and have a flexible schedule.
-If you will be using your own Scuba set, it is probably better to take a couple of small cylinders than a big one, as you may be climbing in and out of the boat several times as the action moves around. Many photographers will even freedive, to keep mobile, but this limits underwater time. Get fit and practice buoyancy skills. This is all mid-water diving, usually without marker bouys, and usually without a dive leader to show you around. The action is fast and moves around a lot. Good fins and good finning fitness will help you keep up. This is scuba diving where long fins are an advantage if your legs are up to it. Keep drag to a minimum. The water is normally warm enough for wet suits (around 20&deg;C). Avoid bulky BC jackets, dangling hoses and anything else that sticks out to the sides.
+If you will be using your own Scuba set, it is probably better to take a couple of small cylinders than a big one, as you may be climbing in and out of the boat several times as the action moves around. Many photographers will even freedive to keep mobile, but this limits underwater time.
 ==Get in==

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 <!--The introduction to an itinerary does not have a heading. This is a where you give a quick descriptive overview of the itinerary. Be sure to include some context so readers know where and what they are reading about. Links to the countries, regions or cities the route passes through can be useful here too. Also include any background information particular to the route-->
-The '''Sardine run''' is a  annual diving and wildlife viewing event in [[South Africa]].
+The '''Sardine run''' is a  annual diving and wildlife viewing event in [[South Africa]]. Divers and other enthusiasts either follow the run along the coast or meet it as it passes major centres.
 ==Understand==
 <!--A more in-depth overview of the route -- The deeper context that makes the trip worth making.-->
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 Thousands of dolphins are largely responsible for rounding up the sardines into bait balls. These bait balls are densely packed masses of fish and can be 10–20 metres in diameter and extend to a depth of 10 metres and may last for up to about 10 minutes. Once the sardines are rounded up, sharks , game fish birds and the occasional whale take advantage of the opportunity. This is the most desirable time for a diver to join the action.
 The annual northward coastal migration of Humpback whales occurs at much the same time, and may. if you are lucky, provide extra entertainment.
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 <!--Anything you should take care of before setting off: permits, equipment, ... -->
 The sardine hotline on 082 284 9495 gives regular reports and updates on the shoal's progress up the coast.
 ==Get in==
@@ Line 39: / Line 44: @@
 ==Go==
 <!--An in-depth description of the route. The title of this section reflects the main mode of transport. If the itinerary is a trek, use "Walk", if it is mainly done by car, use "Drive". If you'd use different types of transportation or if it is up to the traveller to choose, use "Go". This section can contain several sub-sections describing successive parts of the route, different alternate routes and important or interesting side trips -->
+The diving is from boats. You will meet your charter boat at the launch site, and travel out to the shoal, where you hope for a bait ball. Depending on the charter conditions, you may free dive or scuba dive with the shoal and the predators
 ==Stay safe==
 <!--Specifics on safety during the trip -->

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:50, 30 April 2011
Line 18:		Line 18:

	The annual northward coastal migration of Humpback whales occurs at much the same time, and may. if you are lucky, provide extra entertainment.		The annual northward coastal migration of Humpback whales occurs at much the same time, and may. if you are lucky, provide extra entertainment.
		+
		+	Divers from all over the world travel to South Africa for the sardine run, but it is not known for a reliable schedule, and there is a great deal of waiting and some luck involved.

	==See==		==See==

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:48, 30 April 2011
Line 16:		Line 16:

	Thousands of dolphins are largely responsible for rounding up the sardines into bait balls. These bait balls are densely packed masses of fish and can be 10–20 metres in diameter and extend to a depth of 10 metres and may last for up to about 10 minutes. Once the sardines are rounded up, sharks , game fish birds and the occasional whale take advantage of the opportunity. This is the most desirable time for a diver to join the action.		Thousands of dolphins are largely responsible for rounding up the sardines into bait balls. These bait balls are densely packed masses of fish and can be 10–20 metres in diameter and extend to a depth of 10 metres and may last for up to about 10 minutes. Once the sardines are rounded up, sharks , game fish birds and the occasional whale take advantage of the opportunity. This is the most desirable time for a diver to join the action.
		+
		+	The annual northward coastal migration of Humpback whales occurs at much the same time, and may. if you are lucky, provide extra entertainment.

	==See==		==See==