Every year along South Africa’s Wild Coast something truly epic happens.

It’s a natural phenomenon that defines extraordinary as many millions of sardines gather for the single largest marine migration on the planet. Taking place from the Agulhas bank northward up the east coast of South Africa’s Indian Ocean they come to feast on a seasonal plankton bloom. But they are not alone.

Joining them will be our ocean wanderers Bark Europa, Oosterchelde and Tecla on their Around the World tall ship sailing voyage, all the predators the southern oceans are home to who quite fancy a sardine feast and, well, we hope, you.

Make way for the ultimate predator frenzied feed with bottlenose dolphins and sharks galore – Bull, Ragged Tooth, Bronze and Common Whaler are just some of the sharks who will be lining up for their VIP dinner ticket. Not one to miss a party, if the ships can time their sailing just right you could find yourself in the company of whales, tuna, and even seals on this 35 day voyage from Cape Town to Mauritius.

It only happens once a year and this year is truly special as the ships round the cape in time as part of their circumnavigation. A once in a lifetime experience for sure.

Feast your eyes and ears on this clip from the BBC Blue Planet series that features this extraordinary phenomenon to the dulcet tones of our hero David Attenborough.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V834jlHc5ic

The Wild Coast it certainly is and you can join the ships as voyage crew to sail this exhilarating in the experienced in the hands of the professional crews who will teach and guide you every step of the way.

No sailing experience is needed. Just an adventurous spirit and curiosity to do something truly different.

Life on board the ships is quite special. Each ship, Europa, Tecla and Oosterschelde and their crews have their own strong character and vibe that’s added to by the guest crew who join to take part in these incredible ocean adventures.

When Tori and I sailed on Europa across the Atlantic we were joined by a motley crew that included an Irish dancer, a vet, a health worker, barge owner, accountant, wind turbine maker, publisher and a city worker. Our many talents came together to sail between two continents in rain and shine and a lot of laughter.

If you’re looking for a great escape this is your chance to take on one of the most famous stretches of ocean in the world – around the African cape. The voyage itself is not one for the faint hearted but will turn any dancer, NGO worker, city boy or vet into a true ocean sailor.

Forget email, phone, internet …. Imagine life without twitter for a whole month. Your mind will be free to roam, to think, to ponder. Your brain will be jammed with the language of the sea as you suck up all the knowledge you’ll need to haul on the right sail and steer the ship on course. An experience for mind and body.

If you dream of feeling invigorated by the wind in your hair and getting away from it all then check out more details on the Sardine Run Sailing Adventure and get in touch!

Oh, and because we love mixing adventures on land and at sea we’ve also got some brilliant overland adventures in and around Cape Town for 1 day to 2 weeks before you set sail.

For those with a day to spare we have an action packed ‘must-see’ Cape Town day tour, this option is a geographical and cultural extravaganza, showing you Cape Town, from its historical beginnings to the dazzling modern shopping malls of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. The tour includes a trip up Table Mountain (weather permitting; cable car fee not included), a visit to the Company Gardens, the SA museum, the Castle of Good Hope, the vibrant & arty flea market at Greenmarket Square, a stop at the V&A Waterfront and a drive through the picturesque Bo-Kaap.

Or having got your kicks paragliding over the city if you’ve got a bit more time you could go with a group for a wine tour in the famous Stellenbosch and Franschhoek regions or take an awe-inspiring tour to the towering headland known as Cape Point. This rather appropriate little jaunt would have you facing out towards the magnificent Cape that in just days you’ll be sailing around.

Take in breathtaking views, and picturesque coastal villages are to be seen along the way. The tour takes you along the Atlantic Seaboard to Hout Bay (optional seal island boat trip – weather permitting; not included), via Chapman’s Peak to Cape Point, Simon’s Town & the Boulders Beach Penguin Colony and ends with a visit to Kirstenbosch National Park Botanical Gardens.

All these trips are perfect for solo travellers with a bit of time and the desire to try something new with like-minded souls from all walks of life. Just let us know what you’re thinking and we’ll get you booked.

What are you waiting for? The ocean calls….