Freediving Family Reunion:

Diving On Bait-Balls During The Sardine Run
AND Game Drive on a Nature Reserve

KwaZulu Natal, South Africa (7 Spots Total)

What Are Freediving Family Reunions?

Freediving Family Retreats are our way of bringing the friends and family we meet at Deep Weeks together once again to use what we learned to have fun and dive together in an incredible place somewhere in the world!

Each family reunion is a close knit and unique experience for those that join. Space is very limited at these events which opens us up to one of a kind opportunities to explore the world with friends.

A Once In A Lifetime Adventure To Experience
What Africa Has To Offer

Join us for an unforgettable Family Reunion event where our main focus is the breathtaking waters of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa where we embark on the adventure of a lifetime diving during the legendary sardine run. This extraordinary event offers six dive days of underwater exploration, where you’ll witness one of nature’s most spectacular phenomena. We’ll dive into the midst of swirling bait balls, where countless sardines attract an incredible array of marine life. From playful dolphins and graceful sharks to swooping seabirds and the possibility of humpback whales passing by, this experience promises unparalleled wildlife encounters.

We will be spending 8 nights at the beautiful Port St. Johns River Lodge where, every day, we will wake up before the sun is up, jump into our personal boat, and head out to sea with our personal spotter plane above us scoping out where a bait ball has been separated from the MASSIVE migration of sardines coming from Cape Agulhas up towards Mozambique. We’ll spend about 6 hours per day getting in and out of the water chasing bait balls as they get gobbled up by predators and then finish off the day coming back to the lodge where we will eat, hang out and rest before we do it all over again the next day.

But thats not all! Before we even start our underwater adventure, we are going to do what one must do when in South Africa; a safari game drive! This trip concludes at Kariega Game Reserve near Port Elizabeth where we will spend 4 days and 3 nights doing six total game drives into the wild game park to observe the big 5 (lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalo and leopards) along with many other animals with an honestly mind boggling array of bird life (for the bird nerds out there.)

This trip is all expenses paid. It includes accommodation, meals, activity costs, boat and park fees, and only doesnt include one day of meals as we drive from Port St. Johns to Kariega.

A Natural Wonder Of The World

  • The Activities

    Our days will be filled with some of the most incredible adventures and sights you have ever seen. South Africa is one of the most beautiful places in the world because you can be diving in the ocean with fish, dolphins, sharks and seals in the morning and then be seeing lions, elephants and rhinos in the afternoon before one of the best meals you’ve ever had in the evening.

    This trip is for the nature lovers, adrenaline junkies and those that love to “feel” the majesty of the world we live in. We have the privilege of diving on the worlds largest sardine migration for 6 days, with the possibility of seeing all manner and size of predators feeding on fractions of the migration that have been shaved off into bait balls. Dolphins, birds, sharks, seals and even whales are well within the possibility of what will be in the water with us as we jump in and out of our boat every day.

    We also will spend 4 days and 3 nights at Kariega Game Reserve where we will head out on two daily game drives into the park to see an incredible array of birds, large animals like the big five and many more before heading back to the lodge during the day for a variety of other activities including river rides, birding tours and more.

    Between our time at Kariega Game Reserve and Port St. Johns for the Sardine Run, we will spend one day driving across the beautiful countryside together where we can see the beautiful landscapes that are everywhere you look. This is our first time going to the African continent and it is going to be a truly special adventure.

  • The Schedule

    June 7) Arrival at Umtata Airport (UTT) and grab a transfer van to Port St. Johns River Lodge. We will get settled in, get fitted in any gear anyone needs and have a lovely dinner before kicking off diving the next day!

    June 8-14) Waking up before sunrise, getting into our wetsuits and jumping into a rib boat for diving. We will take our daily adrenaline dose getting our tiny boat out and over the breaking waves that separate the river we depart from into the open ocean. Our private spotter plane will be out with us looking for signs of bait balls and calling out locations for us to sprint to where we will quickly drop into the water and get to experience one of the natural wonders of the world: The Sardine Run. We will stay out for about 6-7 hours each day and will finish off the day relaxing at the lodge eating, hanging out, and enjoying the beautiful nature and a small town.

    June 15) We will pack our bags, jump into a van and begin our 8 hours south west drive to Port Elizabeth and Kariega Game Lodge. Along the way we will stop for delicious food we find including roosterkoeks, biltong and the infamous gas station pie! Once we arrive in the mid afternoon, we will unpack and then jump into our private tour vehicle and go into the park for a sunset game drive, stopping along the way for snacks and drinks on the open prairies before returning to the lodge for a delicious dinner and entertainment!

    June 16 and 17) Morning game drive at Kariega with tea and coffee among the animals in the park. Full buffet breakfast upon our return followed by resting and hanging out at our private lodge and pool or spa services (not included.) Then a second game drive in the late afternoon before returning for dinner and activities at the lodge before bed. One of these will be switched for a river tour where we will get to see animals like water buffalo, elephants and hippos.

    June 18) One final morning game drive and breakfast before we pack up, jump into a transfer van to be dropped off at Port Elizabeth Airport (PLZ) where we will say goodbye and part ways.

  • What Is Included and what Isnt

    Included in the price of booking is the following:

    - Accommodations at Port St. Johns River Lodge (2 twin rooms, 4 single beds)
    - All meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner (excluding during the day while traveling between Port St. Johns and Kariega Game Lodge)
    - Boat transportation daily during the sardine run
    - Van travel during the week
    - Transfers to and from the airport
    - Accommodations at the Kariega Game Lodge ( The Homestead Accommodation fits up to 10, includes a pool and common spaces and gives us a home away from home together)
    - Game drive costs and private game drive vehicle adventures with just us (not including drinks or spa amenities)
    - Park entry fees and conservation fees
    - Lead rental

    What is not included

    - Personal luxury items
    - Personal toiletries
    - Towels
    - Bug spray
    - Sun screen
    - Gear Rental (but is available as needed)
    - Gratuity for local guides
    - One day of lunch while traveling from Port St. Johns to Kariega Game Park

Just A Little Teaser Of What To Expect

Meet Your Host

Join the Freediving Families static fanatic and International Event Manager Brandon Reed on this amazing adventure! He has lived in South Africa for the last 12 years and has wanted to dive the sardine run from the very beginning. Hes looking forward to showing you why he calls South Africa home on one of the most beautiful natural wonders the world has to offer.

Frequently Asked Q’s

  • Unfortunately you have to have joined us for a Deep Week or one of our multi day events in Australia in the past to be able to join us at a Freediving Family Reunion.

    We do this because, not to brag, but theres something special about our events that you just need to see to fully experience! But don’t worry, we will be running more and more reunions as we move ahead so you will have plenty of opportunities to join us in amazing places around the world.

    In the mean time, check out our upcoming Deep Week dates by going to the Deep Week tab in our menu and join us for our next Deep Week!

  • During our Family Reunions, we don’t offer certifications. You must be at least Wave 1 certified or the equivalent to be able to attend these events!

  • Due to the unique nature of the events and how each one is individually planned, we cannot provide transfers or refunds. This is even in the case of medical emergencies. As a result, we recommend that you get insurance to cover this trip as soon as you sign up

    This is because we need to make multiple payments to our guides and accommodations and those become payments we cannot get back.

    The only way we are able to provide a transfer to another event is when you are able to find someone to take your spot in full.

    If you need to cancel, please contact Brandon immediately and he can assist you further.

  • Everything is included in this one. Our accommodations have showers, plugs, internet and everything else you would need. Additionally, all expenses are included. This event is definitely what we would call an “all inclusive, first class and exclusive” trip. All accommodations, transport to and from airports, meals (except for one day of travel between), all experience fees, boat fees and guide fees. The only things you need to pay for are your own snacks and drinks, one day of travel meals, and any other trinkets you want to get along the way.

  • Unfortunately it’s not included. But you can rent some or all of your gear from our outfitter in Port St. Johns for 8aud per day for one piece of gear or 43aud for the whole kit. If you need gear, shoot us a message and let us know!

  • The water in South Africa SHOULD be between 21c and 24c in June. We are further north so we dont get the insanely cold temps you get in Cape Town (plus we arent diving in the Atlantic!)

    If you will get cold, a 5mm will be plenty and you can flood it. Remember that for parts of the day we will be chilling on the boat waiting to hear from our private spotter plane of where the bait balls are so there will be some waiting in the sun. As such, you could consider a 3mm wetsuit as well.

  • You can pay an initial deposit to secure your spot and later on pay the remainder balance.

    With no deposit, there is no booking confirmed.

    As soon as you book in, you will receive an email with a button that says “Pay Remainder Balance”. You can click that button anytime you like. You can either pay your next deposit right away or pay in full using those links.

    The second deposit is due March 22nd and the final payment is due April 19th. We really ask that you are on time for these payments because we have to maintain our own payment schedule to our service providers.

  • PayPal or credit card. Your transaction is securely captured through Stripe.

  • Nothing during the retreat is compulsory.

    If you feel like you need some time to chill and relax by skipping a dive session, then by all means do so!

    That said, the boats will be going out every day for the sardine run wether they are filled or not and no refunds are available in the event that you cannot join. This is also true for the game drives at Kariega.

Pricing

Our spots for Retreats are filling fast!

$2,899 AUD

Pay Your Deposit

$8,499 AUD

Pay In Full

 

a $2,899AUD deposit is required to book your spot

a following $3000AUD is due by March 22nd, 2025

The remaining $2600 USD is due April 19th , 2025

Please double check and acquaint yourself with what is and isn't included in the above cost. To ensure your booking is confirmed, please provide a non-refundable deposit at the above AUD rate. As we are an Australian company, prices are charged in AUD. The remaining balance must be paid by April 19th at latest. Your transaction is securely processed through Stripe.

Due to the costs associated with reserving spots for this event, all deposits are non-refundable AND non-transferrable. In the event that someone is able to take your spot, we can transfer your deposit to a future event.

Terms of Service.

Contact us.