‘The Sardine Festival offers something for the whole family - marathons, mountain biking, a garden fair, sardine tasting, a colourful jazz festival and a host of other magnificent beach entertainment. If you have not experienced the fever of the Sardine migration, you have not experienced one of life’s truly unforgettable experiences’ - Michael Bertram, Ugu Southcoast Tourism

Launched simultaneously with the world premiere of ‘Wild Ocean’ at Imax, the South Coast’s Sardine Festival is set to make its impact on the whole world.

Focused on the Sardine Run for which fishermen and predators alike wait with bated breath for the migration of millions of sardines – or more accurately pilchards – one of the province’s best known natural phenomena.

Until recently, all the excitement was reserved for the lucky few who just happened to be on the beach when thousands of small silvery fish washed up.

This year the Sardine Festival 2008 , a joint project between the Tourism KZN, the Ugu Municipality and the Sharks Board, began this weekend and runs until the middle of July.

There are several vantage points along the 120km long Hibiscus coastline for visitors to view the sardines as they migrate northwards. And for those wanting to take an even closer look there are marine or plane charters.

Those who are more adventurous can dive with the sardines (including the reefs, wrecks and sharks) at Aliwal Shoal, Protea Banks and Rocky Bay.

The Natal Sharks Board carefully monitors the progress of the sardines so they can remove and replace the shark nets that protect bathers at popular swimming beaches and allow the sardine run to pass by unhindered. 

‘We know that this is not just a sardine run, but a marine phenomenon that attracts and feeds sharks and dolphins, whales and game fish, gannets and even humans,’ said TKZN CEO - Ndabo Khoza Khoza, adding that it also provided the perfect platform for man to pit his strength against nature.

Festival highlights

Mallards Skiboat Festival

At Shelly Beach from 2 – 5 July, this festival attracts approximately 400 anglers from across the country as well as a host of tourists to the huge marquee at St Michael’s beach for the weigh-in.

Umtamvuna Portuguese Carnival

South Coast Tourism is aiming to enter the Guiness Book of Records by serving world’s biggest open air fish barbeque to 1 000 people seated at a ‘Table of Unity’ in Port Edward on 19 July.

Ugu Jazz Festival

This takes place on Saturday 21 June at Port Shepstone.

Hugh Masikela, Oliver Mtukuzi, Stimela, Lira, Camagwini, Malakia and new Afro Pop sensation Aya, amongst others, are set to take to the stage.

Other highlights include:

• 13 June: Miss South Coast Queen Crowning Ball - Shelly Centre

• 15 June: Dura cycle Sardine Mountain Bike Classic - Old Pont Resort, Port Edward

• 30 June – 6 July: Huisgenoot Strand en Musiek Fees – Margate Main Beach

• 12 July: Inaugural chef cookout at Margate Beach. Each of the chefs will be using their own recipes for tasty sardine dishes

• 18 July: Junior Nationals Fishing – St Michaels / Shelly Beach

Wild Ocean @ Imax

Shot entirely in South Africa and directed by percussionist and creator of ‘Stomp’ – Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas the film follows the annual sardine migration as they move from the colder climes of the Atlantic to the warmth of the Indian Ocean.

Known as the ‘Sardine Run’, it sees hundreds of potential  fishermen and spectators alike flocking to the beaches for this South Coast phenomenon.

It’s an amazing sight viewed on the enormous Imax screen – the schools of sardines are so dense that it seems as if an enormous oil slick is encroaching on the beaches of the Wild Coast.

Filmed underwater one sees the gathering of various predators, unconcerned with each other, all vying for tasty, nutritious mouthfuls.

Each has its own tactics.