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After 18 years of leading Sardine Run expeditions, I’m often asked whether scuba diving or snorkeling is better. Both have their place, but when speed, safety, teamwork and keeping up with fast-moving action matter, there is a clear winner.

The 2026 Sardine Run was a season of extraordinary sardine abundance, warm Agulhas water and incredible visibility. From June into August, huge sardine shoals persisted along the Wild Coast, while sharks, tuna, dolphins and manta rays made this one of the most unusual seasons we’ve experienced.

After 18 years observing the South African Sardine Run above and below the surface, zoologist Steve Benjamin explores how sharks, dolphins, tuna, gannets, sardines and even humans bring hundreds of millions of years of evolution together in one extraordinary spectacle.

Experience the magic of the Sardine Run with Animal Ocean on South Africa’s Wild Coast. Join Steve Benjamin as he recalls an unforgettable encounter with Bryde’s whales, dolphins, and a golden bait ball of Strepies — a rare spectacle captured by guest Linda Ness and featured in Diver Alert Network South Africa.

Discover Cape Town through the eyes of local marine guide Steve Benjamin. From hiking ancient Table Mountain and exploring wild Cape Point to kayaking at Sea Point, surfing Muizenberg, and wandering Kirstenbosch, this bucket list is all about authentic, crowd-free adventures. Meet penguins at Boulders Beach, sip beer in Noordhoek, explore Kalk Bay, and join Animal Ocean on an Ocean Safari to see Cape Point from the water — the ultimate Cape Town experience.

Discover Cape Town’s wild side on an Ocean Safari with Animal Ocean. More than a boat ride, it’s a game drive at sea—spot seals, sunfish, and seabirds while exploring shipwrecks and cliffs only accessible by boat. Slip into the water to snorkel through magical kelp forests alive with catsharks, rays, and starfish. Immersive, intimate, and one-of-a-kind, this is Cape Town’s ocean like you’ve never seen it before.

Every year, the Sardine Run teaches me something new. This morning, while sipping coffee and thinking back on the season

Sardine Run 2025 tested us — physically, mentally, and mechanically — but it also gave us wildness, connection, and unforgettable moments

The Sardine Run is more than just a wildlife spectacle — it’s a vital source of income and opportunity for the people of Tshani and...

Ever heard of a nurdle? Nurdles - the raw material used in plastic production Local residents and organisations in Cape Town have been...

My Octopus Teacher introduces the kelp forests of Cape Town to the world! These kelp forests sustain an abundance of life and their magic...

With the lockdown regulations in South Africa being eased somewhat, many have taken to getting back into the ocean to surf, freedive and...

Navigating the effects of COVID-19 on the Tourism Industry Looking forward! Animal Ocean needs YOUR support! With the emergence of...

Southern double-collared sunbird perched on a strelitzia flower Sunbirds in the city! Renowned for his captivating underwater imagery of...

Lockdown Sunbirds in Kalk Bay, Cape Town Bringing nature into the home through the lens of photographer Steven Benjamin Renowned for his...

Seal Snorkeling since 2009! Animal Ocean was founded in Cape Town in 2009 by Steve Benjamin, after spending time in the warmer waters of...

3 residents of Kalk Bay, Cape Town enjoying the lockdown period more than most!

A real Animal Ocean Archive story – Cape fur seal pup rescue December 2014 It has become legend amongst the staff of Animal Ocean that...

We at Animal Ocean know that our guest want to know that the interest of our Fur seals to come first, before the business of running Seal...

Cape Fur seals and Shysharks We often find Dark shysharks (Haploblepharus pictus) around Duiker Island, hiding in the kelp forest. This...