Transfers can be arranged at additional cost from either:

• Durban International Airport (6-hours drive)

• Mthatha Airport (flights via Johannesburg, plus a 2-hour road transfer)

Please send us your flight information at least one month before the program start date so we can book. If your flight is delayed, please contact us ASAP so we can re-arrange your transfer.

➢ We recommend flying in to Mthatha Airport via Johannesburg due to the shorter drive time (~2 hours) to Port St Johns. as there are more flight options. Domestic airline is SA Airlink (airline code UTT).

A one-way transfer from Mthatha to Port St. Johns is:

▪ ZAR 1750.00 (1 – 4 seat vehicle)

▪ ZAR 2450.00 (11 – 15 seat vehicle)

➢ Please leave ample travel time for departure day — the roads on the Wild Coast are meandering and pot-holed, and can take longer to drive than according to Google Maps! Domestic flights need to depart after 3 pm and international flights need to depart after 4 pm minimum. If you cannot get suitable flights, we can help arrange overnight accommodation and airport transfers the following day.

Due to limited availability, dive gear rental must be pre-booked. Rental rates are ZAR 100.00 per item, per day or ZAR 500.00 for full gear rental per day.

• Port St Johns is a rural town, approximately two hours from the nearest larger town, with limited supplies available locally.

• Our operator is a Sardine Run dive operator, not a dive shop. We have a limited selection of rental gear, so if you require specific sizes (especially wetsuits & fins), it is strongly recommended to bring your own.

• Gloves and booties are not provided.

• Lost or damaged rental gear will be billed at the end of your stay.

Clothing & Comfort

• We provide oilskin/PVC jackets for daily use. However, clients should bring hats, sunglasses, and a lighter jacket for comfort.

• The Sardine Run occurs during winter months, so early mornings and evenings can be cold, while daytime temperatures may be warm. Pack accordingly with layered clothing.

Additional Information

• We strongly recommend meeting the day before your first ocean excursion to go over dive gear requirements and prepare the boats for an early departure the following morning.

• All divers must present their dive certification card or logbook before the first day of ocean launching.

• Advanced or Rescue-level certification is not required, but comfort in open ocean conditions is essential. The dives take place over deep waters along the continental shelf, meaning there is no visible bottom reference.

• Divers and snorkelers must be comfortable with marine life encounters, including sharks and other ocean predators, as sightings are unpredictable.

• Buoyancy control is critical, particularly during bait ball interactions. Dive guides are there to lead the experience, not to manage individual buoyancy.

• Each day at sea depends on ocean conditions and weather. We aim to maximize time on the water, with excursions typically lasting 6–8 hours.

• Clients are collected at 06:30 AM from the jetty and head straight to sea. Return times vary between lunchtime and 4 PM, depending on action and conditions.

• Space on the boats is limited due to gear and camera equipment. Please bring only essential items and practice good housekeeping onboard.

Once your booking is confirmed, please inform us of any dietary requirements or food allergies. If there are specific foods you do not eat, kindly provide details.

For vegetarian meal requests, please specify your dietary preferences, as there are many variations. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Please keep in mind that we operate in natural conditions, and during the winter season, cold fronts and unpredictable weather may impact ocean excursions. Some days at sea may be shorter due to adverse weather or ocean conditions, and we cannot guarantee specific conditions or experiences.

Refunds will not be issued for weather-related changes, seasickness, missed dive days, or if a client chooses to take a day off during their trip.

• Primary Contact Method:

  • Email: In case of an emergency, please contact us via email at hello@immersivexpeditions.com. This email is monitored daily to ensure prompt assistance.

• Share Our Contact Information:

  • Family and Friends: Before your trip, please share our general contact email hello@immersivexpeditions.com with your family and friends. This ensures they can reach us if needed.

• WhatsApp Contact:

  • WhatsApp: We recommend adding our company WhatsApp number for any urgent communication issues. To prevent this number from being easily harvested by spam bots, we have embedded it in an image below. Please ensure to add this number to your contacts before departure.

image|whatsapp|#

To ensure a safe and stress-free trip, we highly recommend purchasing travel and medical insurance that covers free-diving, snorkeling, and scuba diving if your trip includes it, as well as medical evacuations. Proper insurance can provide peace of mind and financial protection in case of unforeseen circumstances. Here are our recommendations and guidelines:

1. Travel, Dive, and Medical Insurance:

   • Ensure your insurance policy covers free-diving, snorkeling, and scuba diving activities. This is crucial for any medical emergencies or accidents that may occur during your trip.

   • Medical evacuation coverage is essential. In remote locations, evacuation can be costly and complicated without proper insurance.

2. Recommended Insurance Providers:

   • We suggest sticking with big, reputable insurance companies with a proven history of reimbursement and efficient claims handling. Specifically, we recommend:

     • American Express

     • Allianz

     • Divers Alert Network

3. Avoiding Unreliable Providers:

   • Be cautious about using cheap online insurance providers that lack reviews or have negative feedback regarding claims handling. You may face difficulties getting reimbursed if something goes wrong.

4. Cancellation Coverage:

   • If you think you might have to cancel your participation, consider purchasing "cancel for any reason" insurance. This type of insurance provides more flexibility and coverage compared to standard policies, which typically only cover cancellations for medical reasons.

   • Always read the fine print of your insurance policy to understand what is covered and any exclusions or limitations.

5. Key Points to Remember:

   • Verify Coverage: Confirm that your policy covers all planned activities and potential risks.

   • Read Reviews: Check reviews and feedback about the insurance provider’s claims handling process.

   • Understand Policy Terms: Be aware of the terms and conditions, including coverage limits and exclusions.

Expensive Camera Gear:

If you plan to bring expensive camera gear, please take note of the following:

1. Insurance Coverage:

   • Renters insurance generally covers your gear if it gets stolen. However, you should verify whether it also covers damage. Additional insurance might be necessary for comprehensive protection.

2. Specialized Insurance:

   • The Professional Photographers of America (PPA) extends its insurance policy to members, which can be an excellent option for those with professional-grade equipment.

   • To mitigate risks, bring a vacuum pump and diligently check for potential leaks in your camera housing. This can help protect your equipment from water damage.