Field reports
Where are the sardines right now?
The honest answer, updated from the water. In season this page carries our latest sea-day reports and shoal positions; out of season, the outlook for the year ahead.
Season status · 23 July 2026
The 2026 run is winding down
The main pulses have passed through the Wild Coast and the late-season action has concentrated north of Port St Johns, tapering as the water warms. Our full 2026 season report breaks down how the year unfolded. This tracker goes live again for 2027 as the first cold-water pulses arrive, typically May.
The tracker year
March to April
Pre-seasonWatching Agulhas Bank temperatures and early bait reports from Gqeberha. Outlook posts begin.
May
Early seasonFirst pockets typically show off the southern Eastern Cape. Our water. Early expeditions launch.
June
PeakThe main body moves through East London and Chintsa toward the Kei and beyond. Daily reports.
July
Late seasonAction concentrates north around Port St Johns and Mbotyi, tapering late in the month.
August to February
Off seasonThe ocean rests. We publish the season report and open the next year's weeks.
Get the 2027 reports first
Enquire for 2027 and we'll keep you on the pre-season list: temperature outlooks from March, first-shoal alerts in May.
Join the listReady for the 2027 run?
Five sea days from Chintsa, 40 minutes from King Phalo Airport. Small boat, early launches, first crack at the shoals before the fleet follows them north.
Boats carry small groups only, and prime weeks go 6-12 months out.