The aloes are in bloom and the winter chill is in the air, which means the scene is set for the annual Sardine Run, an ocean spectacle taking place along the KZN South Coast. In honour of this epic annual migration and to ensure visitors are kept busy this winter, there are a number of ocean-focused events taking place in the next few weeks that simply cannot be missed.
“With our mild, sunny days, Blue Flag beaches, world-class dive sites, friendly locals, and the Sardine Run action – now’s the time to visit the KZN South Coast,” notes Dr Vusumuzi Sibiya, CEO of South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise (SCTIE). “This natural phenomenon is one of our biggest tourism attractions, and to ensure our visitors will get even more this year, with a variety of seaside events planned. We encourage visitors to book early so as not to miss out!”
Sardine run events on KZN South Coast
Ocean Festival
Dates: 5 to 8 June 2025
Venue: Scottburgh Main Beach
Website: www.oceanfestival.co.za | @theoceanfestival on Instagram | @theoceanfestival on Facebook
To celebrate World Ocean Day, the highly anticipated Ocean Festival will be returning to Scottburgh with a great programme of clean-ups, talks, live music, sports and entertainment. This year’s event is fully embracing the World Ocean Day theme of Catalyzing Action for Our Ocean & Climate with an action-packed line-up of events for this year’s Ocean Festival. Visitors can look forward to:
· Leatherback Rum Aliwal Shoal Surfski Challenge
· The Ocean Warriors National Series
· Beach clean-up at Scottburgh Main Beach | Aliwal Shoal scuba diving reef clean-up | Mahlongwa River paddle and clean-up
· School education workshop presented by SAAMBR
· Ocean conservation science and research presentations
· Exclusive film screening at Premier Hotel Cutty Sark
· Live music and entertainment evening
· Made for More adaptive surf therapy session
· Sunrise Beach yoga & movement
Run4Ramsgate
Date: 14 June 2025
Venue: Ramsgate Tidal Pool
Support: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/run4ramsgate-sa~2
This is a great citizen fundraiser calling on people to compete in the 5km run or walk to raise funds for the upgrade of Ramsgate Main Village Street. Organisers hope to raise R100 000 for the upgrade, with visitors and even global supporters taking part.
Coastal Seafood Flavours Festival
Dates: 26 July 2025
Venue: St Michael’s Beach, KZN South Coast
Contact: Phindile Zulu on 083 722 7317 | hello@coastalseafoodfest.co.za| Instagram: hello@coastalflavoursseafoodfest.co.za or visit www.coastalseafoodfest.co.za
The festival celebrates the deep-rooted fishing heritage of this region in support of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s ‘Fishing for Freedom’ campaign. Designed to immerse visitors in South Africa’s vibrant marine culinary culture while promoting regional seafood excellence at St Michael’s Beach, this inaugural edition in the KZN South Coast is one of two such festivals taking place – the other being Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape. The festival celebrates the deep-rooted fishing heritage of this region in support of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s ‘Fishing for Freedom’ campaign. Visitors can look forward to a number of festival activities, including:
· Seafood Cookout with Celebrity Chefs
· Seafood Market & Artisanal Stalls
· Restaurant Showcase & Tasting Experiences
· Junior Cookout Competition
· Live Music & Entertainment
· Beach Sports & Outdoor Activities
The Sardine Festival
Dates: 27 June to 20 July 2025
Time: 10am to 2pm
Venue: Ray Nkonyeni Beaches – Ramsgate, St Michaels, Hibberdene, Marina, Uvongo, and Margate main beaches
Contact: michael@one-way.co.za
This family-friendly festival is free to the public, with everyone invited to attend the daily programme of activities. These will include beach volleyball, soccer and touch rugby. There will also be several competitions from musical freeze and musical chairs to cone diving, balloon blow up and treasure hunts – all with sponsored prizes.
Offramp Experience in Partnership with Ugu Jazz Festival
This year’s Ugu Jazz Festival will include a number of offshoot events in partnership with Offramp Experience – including the Offramp Fishing Competition as part of the Sardine Run events. From fishing and football to jazz and worship, this is not to be missed!
Offramp Fishing Competition
Date: 22 June 2025 (entries close 20 June 2025)
Venue: Margate Fishing Pier
Contact: admin@offrampexperience.com | WhatsApp 064 551 9049 or 073 795 4494 | Follow @offrampexperience on social media
Land the biggest fish at this epic competition which includes categories for Edibles and Non-edibles in Senior Male, Senior Female, and Junior groups. Other epic festival events to look out for include:
· Offramp LFA’s Playoff Football Tournament (22 June 2025)
· Offramp Hiking Experience (27 June 2025)
· Worship Experience (27 June 2025)
· Boot Camp (28 June 2025)
· Ugu Jazz Festival Launch (28 June 2025)
Email admin@offrampexperience.com or follow @offrampexperience on social media for more information.
MPA Day
Date: 1 August 2025
Website: www.mpaday.org |Instagram @marineprotectedareassa | Facebook @MPASouthAfrica
This now global celebration honours South Africa’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), also known as the ‘nature reserves of the sea’. Themed Making Connections, this year’s activities will include shared stories, talks, competitions, and ocean-based activities. MPA Day aims to connect people to the ocean and bring conservation awareness to even more people around the world, with Aliwal Shoal, Protea Banks, and Trafalgar three MPAs that will be celebrated on the KZN South Coast.
Now’s the Time: Visit, Invest, Thrive in KZN South Coast! Find out more about these and other upcoming events by visiting the KZN South Coast website www.visitkznsouthcoast.co.za; following South Coast Tourism on Facebook; South Coast Tourism and Investment Enterprise on YouTube; @infosouthcoast on Twitter or Instagram; and South Coast Tourism & Investment Enterprise on LinkedIn. And click here to check out previous SCTIE press releases. Watch why KZN South Coast is a top tourism destination here.
Follow the hashtags #nowisthetime #nowisthetimetovisit