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The Spotted Grunter
We are the only locally based registered Professional Sardine Run operator based in Port st Johns with our own accommodation. You dive with us and stay with us!
The Spotted Grunter Resort, our piece of heaven, is nestled between two mountains, Mt. Thesiger behind us and Mt. Sullivan across the river.
These two mountains form the gates at the river mouth that flows into the Indian Ocean. Port St Johns is really known for its fishing (Grunter, Salmon or Kob and Garrick).
At our resort, we offer a variety of facilities, accommodation and amenities suitable for friends and families looking for a getaway.
Our Accommodation
Our resort accommodation is three star, fully equipped, log cabins with surrounding entertaining facilities such as braai areas, a bar area, restaurant, security guard and more.
Our log cabins are fully equipped with microwave ovens, gas stoves, cutlery, crockery fridges and aircons.
We provide bath towels and toiletries. There are fans and heaters in the cabins. We have safes in some of the cabins for your valuables. We provide tea, coffee, sugar and creamer in all the cabins.
Packages and Rates
Nights | Ocean Days | Single | Sharing |
| 3 | 2 | 21000 | 22500 |
| 4 | 3 | 31500 | 33500 |
| 5 | 4 | 42000 | 44600 |
| 6 | 5 | 52500 | 55800 |
| 7 | 6 | 63000 | 67000 |
| 8 | 7 | 73500 | 78000 |
| 9 | 8 | 84000 | 89000 |
| 10 | 9 | 94500 | 99000 |
Excludes:
Excludes transport to and from PSJ.
Our nearest airport is Mthata Airport, Transit to and from the airport can be arranged at an additional cost of R2500 per person per trip.
FAQs
Our self-catering log cabins are fully equipped and we provide bath towels and toiletries. Some rooms have their own braai areas as well.
There is secure onsite parking provided as well as the property being monitored by security cameras.
The Anglers Arm is a fully licenced watering hole, with a comprehensive variety of beverages and snacks available. The bar also includes a pool table, dart board, and a large screen TV so you don’t miss your favourite sports games when joining us! On occasion, the bar hosts live music and entertainment including a local traditional dancing show once a week.
Our Restaurant serves a diverse selection of dishes, which can be enjoyed inside or on the deck overlooking the rest of the resort and the picturesque Umzimvubu River. We get very good compliments for our food – it’s real home cooked food! We try to cater for everyone – please be sure to advise us should you have special meal requirements and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Our bait & tackle shop is fully stocked to provide you with everything you need for a fishing trip at the Spotted Grunter! Wood, charcoal, firelighters, braai packs, ice and a selection of snacks and cold drinks for your braai are also available.
River Deck – enjoy a cocktail overlooking the mighty Umzimvubu River with magnificent mountain views as well!
Braai Areas – numerous braai areas are available around the property
Riverside Fire Pit – Enjoy a braai or drinks around our fire pit on the river bank
Private Slipway – we have an approved private slipway for easy launching of boats directly into the Umzimvubu River
Other Facilities: Wheelchair Enabled, Fenced Swimming Pool, Pet Friendly, Satellite TV, Wi-Fi, Drying Room – Area to wash and hang wetsuits and dive gear provided
Languages – English, Afrikaans
Grading – AA Highly Recommended
| INCLUDED | EXCLUDED |
| DINNER, BED & BREAKFAST | FLIGHTS & TAXES |
| PACKED LUNCH & REFRESHMENTS ON SEA DAYS | PASSPORTS & VISAS |
| CYLINDER & AIR REFILL | PERSONAL INSURANCE (Travel/dive/medical) |
| WEIGHT BELT & WEIGHTS | TRANSFERS *(CBA) |
| SKIPPER, DIVE MASTER, GUIDE, FUEL, MARINE PERMITS | ADDITIONAL FOOD & DRINKS |
| LUNCH ON NON-SEA DAYS | |
| PERSONAL ITEMS | |
| EQUIPMENT HIRE (BCD, REG, WETSUIT, FINS, MASK) | |
| GRATUITIES | |
| ADDITIONAL SIGHTSEEING & ACTIVITIES |
06h30 Breakfast
06h45 Meet at boat- get into wetsuits, equipment check, load boat, dive brief etc
07h00 Launch
07h00 – 15h00 – spend the day at sea. Lunch & refreshments provided on the boat
15h00 Unpack boat, clean equipment, relax till dinner
We are up early each day to have breakfast at 6.30 am and thereafter be ready to launch with all our kit. We will head out to see to look for activity and interact with bait balls and marine life such as whales, dolphins, sharks, game fish, birds and obviously sardines,.
The way we interact will be determined by what we encounter and how comfortable the marine life is with divers. We can scuba dive on stationary bait balls, snorkel on moving bait balls or interact from the boat in poor visibility or windy conditions. The time we spend out at sea depends on the action and conditions.
Make sure you bring protection from the sun as well as warm clothing.
In the afternoon we return to the resort where you can relax, socialise or enjoy some of the other activities offered at the resort or in PSJ.
DIVE GEAR AND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
WE RECOMMEND THAT Y0U BRING ALL YOUR OWN DIVE GEAR (WE PROVIDE A CYLINDER AND WEIGHT BELT WITH WEIGHTS)
In order to participate as a diver on a Sardine Run Adventure Package you need to be a qualified diver with a minimum Open Water One dive qualification.
Port St Johns is located on the The Wild Coast of South Africa. As its name suggests, this strip of coastline is an untamed wilderness and this includes the sea. The conditions at sea are generally calm however winter storms can cause high winds, big swell and strong currents. The depth of the dives varies from around 8-meters to 20-meters depending on the dives. Most of our dives are drift dives and we do sometimes have strong currents.
Day time temperature: 10-25C
Night time temperature: 6-12C
Water temperature: 18-21C
Visibility: 2-20m
WETSUITS
A 5-mm to 7-mm wetsuit is what most divers have preferred during the Sardine Run. If you are prone to feeling the cold you could add a shortie to go over your wetsuit. Gloves and a hoodie are a good idea if you have them.
GEAR HIRE:
Should you need to hire equipment please inform us well in advance in order for us to make arrangements for you.
NOTE: OUR SARDINE RUN PACKAGES DO NOT INCLUDE TRANSFERS – HOWEVER TRANSFERS CAN BE ARRANGED ON REQUEST! Due to the fact that our clients get to book their Sardine Run WildCoast Adventure over dates of their choice it makes it difficult for us to schedule set transfers like a tour operator who offers block bookings over set dates and who can schedule to transfer 10-20 clients all arriving at the same time. However we can arrange transfers should you wish.
Airports
There are 3 airports you can fly into to reach Port St John’s, namely King Shaka International Airport in Durban, Umtata Airport or East London Airport. Once we have confirmed your dates and booking, we will be able to advise you regarding flight’s and transfers.
Other Wildlife Attractions
At this time of the year there are many other phenomena occurring along this stretch of coastline, one of which is the annual Humpback and Southern Right Whale Migration. These whales pass PSJ and feed on the shoal as they move North up the coast. Their antics in the water are fascinating and at any time you can witness a display of various behaviours such as Breaching, Flipper Slapping, “Lobtailing” (lifting its tail fluke up and slapping the surface of the water in a loud slap) or “Spy Hopping” (When a whale “treads water” and lifts its head and part of the chest vertically out the water so that their eyes are just above the waterline)
There are many other species of whale that can also be seen along this stretch of wild coastline, such as Brydes, Beaked, Minkes, Sperm and even Killer Whales!
Simon Rogerson is the editor of DIVE magazine, the best-selling dive mag in the UK. In June 2019 he spotted Killer Whales off the coast of PSJ whilst tracking the annual migratory patterns of whales and other marine wildlife on the Sardine Run. An encounter like no other!
https://www.diveworldwide.com/divelog/diving-the-sardine-run-fancy-your-chances
June & July : The Sardine Run takes place during winter in South Africa.
Day time temperature: 10-25C
Night time temperature: 6-12C
Water temperature: 18-21C
Early mornings and evenings are cold so you will need trousers, long sleeve tops, windbreaker, fleece tops or jackets. During the day the weather is warm so you will need shorts, t-shirts, light jerseys, shoes or sneakers & socks, sandals or slops. Swimming costume, sarong etc
FOR THE BOAT: N.B. SPACE IS LIMITED
In a small waterproof bag: SUNBLOCK, LIPBALM, WATER, CAP/HAT, BEANIE, WARM WATERPROOF JACKET, DRY GLOVES, MOTION SICKNESS PILLS
Some people do feel a bit seasick if they surface earlier than the main group and have to spend time waiting on the boat. The weather is generally calm but we can have some winter storms which can make the sea rough.
Booking T’s & C’s
NOTE: BEFORE BOOKING FLIGHTS, PLEASE CONFIRM AVAILABILITY FOR THE DATES YOU REQUIRE
We are able to tailor-make the packages to suit clients needs, so we are flexible with dates. Once we receive your enquiry, we will confirm availability by email and send you all the booking information. A 50% deposit payable to The Spotted Grunter Resort upon booking. This deposit is payable per person and is non-refundable as well as non-transferable. The outstanding balance is to be settled on or before arrival.
Final payment is required on or before the start date of your Sardine Run Adventure. We accept credit card payments & bank transfers. Any additional expenses are to be settled prior to guests’ departure.
All prices exclude equipment hire
Exchange Rates – latest exchange rates www.xe.com
FAQs
- Full and exclusive to Sardine Run aerial support (spotting) with our aircraft & pilot.
- Accommodation at Spotted Grunter – Dinner + Bed + Breakfast basis
- Ocean days (weather permitting)
- Cylinder / air & Weights / belt
- Packed boat refreshments
- Diver permit to dive within Pondoland marine protected area
- Drinks / items of a personal nature
- Meals (excl. Dinner + Bed + Breakfast)
- Dive gear rental – MUST be pre booked. R150.00 per item, per day
- Additional chargeable land-based activities i.e. guided hikes / cultural tours / afternoon flights
- Diver / travel insurance, Air fares / taxes & Passports / Visas
- Gratuities for staff – at your own discretion
- WIFI
- Drying room for wetsuits
- Shower rinse-off at boat jetty area
- Walking distance to convenience shop / liquor store / fuel station
- Swimming pool
- Family room and Twin bed rooms available
We are your hosts, tour guides and dive guides for the duration of your Sardine Run trip.
What you can expect
You can look forward to exciting surf launches, up to 8 hours a day at sea searching for the annual Sardine Run migration. Port Saint Johns is nested in the heart of the wild coast therefore the landscape from sea is spectacular. Whales breaching really close, mega-pods of common dolphins, brydes whale, occasional sightings of orca and mola-mola can be expected. You’ll pass sites such as blow-hole and waterfall bluff, amazing offerings by nature.
Our accommodation in Port St. Johns has direct access into the Umzimvubu River where we launch our boats from, so there is no daily travelling to the launch site and makes for a much more comfortable [and dry] start to your day.
After the diving enjoy some fantastic walks, visit some local attractions or relax in the awesome restaurant & bar area over-looking the river.
What a typical day looks like
Typical Day at Port St. Johns
Breakfast
We meet at 6am for breakfast and receive updates about the sardine run action and the day’s conditions so we can decide where the best diving will be. Once breakfast is finished, we kit up for the day’s action. The dive team is there to help you with all your diving needs, to brief you on your days diving and the action you are likely to see.
Sardine Run Diving
We launch from the Umzimvubu River in Port St. Johns operating north or south depending on where the sardine run action is. Most of the day is spent at sea, we want to be on the water at 6h30 am and back by about 2pm. The day is ruled by the Sardine Run activity. We enter the water many times during the day. Sometimes just on a snorkel and other times scuba, diving the baitballs, it really depends on how fast the action is moving.
We follow the common dolphins as they work together to create the bait balls and then the action begins, the dolphins, birds, sharks, and Brydes whales all enjoy a huge feast. The noise of the diving gannets is amazing as they surround the boat, diving for the sardines. The action is amazing, and you are often surrounded by hundreds of dolphins, sharks, diving birds, whales and more. We also have many opportunities to watch the Humpback Whales on their annual migration.
Rest of the Day
In the late afternoon, we return to the accommodation, where you can choose to relax, download photos & video footage or you can opt to go sightseeing in the afternoon. We are always available to take you on local excursions to show you more of the area. Our dives are for advanced divers and the depth varies from around 15 to 35 meters depending on the dive sites.
The Evening
In the evening we enjoy dinner at the restaurant. Have a drink with your new dive buddies and discuss the day’s Sardine Run and diving events. Finally, you retire to your bedroom with en-suite facilities and enjoy a relaxing night’s sleep. Ready for the next day’s diving.
What the Sardine Run is about
Every year from around February to August the South African Coast is enriched with life. This is a result of the annual migration of sardines. Starting at the west coast of South Africa in around February and moving along to the east coast of South Africa through the months until around August when they disappear.
During the Sardine Run, as the colder water moves up the east coast of South Africa, the sardines follow the currents and their food source, bringing a huge diversity of predators with them including many species of whales, shark, dolphin, game fish, sailfish, penguins, seals and more. The annual Humpback Whale migration passes Port St. Johns, offering some amazing sightings of the Humpback Whales, in the water, close to the boats and when the whales are breaching!
Many theories exist about the Sardine Run [water temp. etc] and many people have different ideas on what creates the ‘perfect’ Sardine Run, however from our experience we have seen great action on days when the conditions are not ‘perfect’ and quiet days when they are. The bottom line is that the only way to experience the Sardine Run is to enjoy what you see everyday!
Whilst the Sardine Run can never be guaranteed, one thing that is guaranteed with our Sardine Run packages is that you WILL see whales, sharks, 100’s of dolphin and marine birds which are on most people’s bucket list.
Who should join
Apart from our Sardine Run packages being aimed at divers, snorkelers looking for pure adventure are welcome too. Getting up close and personal with sharks, game fish, seals, penguins, sardines, mola-mola and, on occasion, orca and many species of marine-birds and marine mammals.
Water temperature is around 18 – 21 degrees Celsius so a 7mm wetsuit will suffice. This is because a lot of the action is experienced on snorkel. As a result dry suits cause drag and you could miss out on the underwater feeding frenzy and baitballs. Therefore dry suits are not entirely suitable.