How to Prepare for the Sardine Run: Insider Advice from the Frontlines

I’m Steve Benjamin, and I’ve been leading Sardine Run expeditions for over 16 years.In that time, I’ve guided countless guests through this extraordinary phenomenon and supported multiple film shoots for the BBC, Netflix, and other international productions. What follows are some of my thoughts on how to prepare—physically, mentally, and logistically—for this wild and unpredictable adventure.

Mindset & Fitness: Be Ready for Anything

Preparation for the Sardine Run starts long before you’re on the boat. This isn’t a holiday cruise—it’s an unpredictable, physical, and often intense experience. I regularly hear people say, “I wish I could kick harder,” or “I didn’t think I’d be in and out of the boat all day.” The truth is, you probably will be.

Some level of fitness will massively improve your experience. You'll spend long days in the water, often finning hard to keep up with fast-moving action. Being fit means you’ll recover quicker, stay engaged longer, and be ready when those once-in-a-lifetime moments happen—whether it’s a sailfish on a bait ball or a sudden appearance by a whale.

And trust me—those moments happen when you least expect them. I’ve seen days go from dead quiet to full chaos in minutes. Just when you think the animals have moved on, they turn back. Or the gannets arrive out of nowhere and everything explodes.

Murphy’s Law rules the ocean, especially on the Sardine Run. That’s why patience, preparedness, and presence matter. Every moment could be the moment—so be ready for it.

Wetsuits: Stick to 5mm

Our go-to setup is a two-piece 5mm wetsuit: a long john (sleeveless) bottom and a hooded top. This offers warmth, protection, and flexibility. The water ranges between 18°C and 22°C, but the wind chill on the boat can be brutal—especially after multiple entries.

Some try a 3mm bottom with a 5mm top, but most get cold. Dry suits are overkill—too bulky, too slow. A semi-dry 5mm is the sweet spot.

Footwear & Fins: Go Long

Wetsuit socks are essential to avoid fin chafing. For fins, you’ll want long-blade freediving fins—plastic, fiberglass, or carbon. Standard scuba fins just won’t keep up. The action is fast, and you need that extra propulsion whether you’re on snorkel or scuba.

Gloves & Safety: Cover Up

Always wear thin gloves. Sharks are dialed in to the flash of sardines. Don’t let your hands mimic the bait. Cover all exposed skin, and strip off bright logos or reflective elements from your gear. You want to blend in—not stand out.

Weight Belts: Rubber Wins

Use a rubber weight belt. Unlike fabric belts, rubber grips your body and stays in place while duck diving or adjusting buoyancy. A belt that shifts is a safety issue, especially in fast-paced situations.

Cameras: Don’t Miss the Topside Show

The Sardine Run is just as dramatic above the water as it is below. Dolphins surf the swells, gannets rain down like missiles, whales breach, and bait balls erupt at the surface.

A smartphone in a waterproof pouch will work, but for serious topside shots, bring a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a 200–400mm lens, stored in a Pelican case or other waterproof hard case.

Underwater, a GoPro is ideal for wide-angle chaos. If you’re using housed systems and strobes, know that they add drag and slow you down. On a fast-moving bait ball, that can be the difference between getting the shot—or missing it.

Set your camera for high-speed frame rates to capture split-second action. At the end of the day, back up your footage, clean your gear, and reset. Be ready to do it all again tomorrow.

Extras to pack in your dry bag:

• Towels

• Tissue paper

• Spare batteries

• Memory card holders

• Vacuum pumps

• Ziplocks for lens cloths and sensitive kit

Boat Gear: Stay Organized

Pack a large dry bag and keep your gear together—easy to grab, quick to stow. Things move fast, and you don’t want to be fumbling.

Essentials include:

• Sunscreen

• Hat

• Rain jacket (to wear over your wetsuit)

• Power bank & cables

• Sunglasses

• Snacks (some are provided, but your own go-to bars or trail mix can be a lifesaver)

Day One Tips: Dial In Your Routine

Use the first day to familiarize yourself with:

• Your equipment

• Your weight setup

• Boat operations

• Entry and exit procedures

Rubber duck boarding tip:Position your legs behind you, kick hard, and pull yourself up onto the pontoon, landing facing out to sea. That makes it easier to remove fins and stow them cleanly—without kicking anyone in the face or falling into the boat.

Boat Safety: Don’t Be Complacent

Never enter the water until the skipper gives the signal.The greatest risk on the Sardine Run isn’t the sharks—it’s propellers. Stay away from the back of the boat when engines are running. Wait for the go-ahead, then move with purpose.

Work as a Team: Don’t Chase the Chaos

The Sardine Run is a team sport. The best interactions happen when everyone is moving in sync. Listen to the skipper. Follow the dive master. Stick together.

We usually start with snorkel only—it's more adaptable for fast-moving activity. We enter from one side of the bait ball, keeping the group tight and leaving the animals room to behave naturally.

And sometimes, the sardines come to you. If they shelter behind you, swim away. Once they treat you as cover, the predators stop feeding. You’ve just shut down the hunt.

It’s a delicate balance:

• Too close, and you interrupt the action

• Too far, and you miss it

• Just right, and you’re in the middle of the wildest show on Earth

Know Your Boat Team

By Day 2, you should know who’s strong in the water and who needs more time. The fewer people in the water, the better—too many bodies kill the momentum. Respect your teammates. Respect the predators. And when it’s your moment to jump—be efficient, not frantic.

Final Thoughts: The Ocean Doesn’t Wait

The Sardine Run is unpredictable, raw, and unlike anything else on Earth. There are no guarantees—just the potential for mind-blowing encounters.

If you show up fit, focused, and prepared, the ocean will reward you. Dress smart. Move fast. Stay ready.

Because the moment the ocean erupts—you’ll want to be right there in it.