We can arrange transfers from the following airports at an additional cost:

• East London Airport – A 5-hour drive to Mdumbi.

• Mthatha Airport – Requires a flight via Johannesburg, followed by a 2-hour road transfer.

Please send us your flight information at least one month before the program start date. If your flight is delayed, please contact us ASAP so we can adjust accordingly.

East London Airport offers more flight options, while Mthatha Airport is closer but with limited flights connecting via Johannesburg. Please note: Durban Airport is too far away for transfers.

Round-trip transfer from East London to Mdumbi: ZAR 3000

Transfers from East London depart no later than 12:00 PM to avoid night-time travel. Plan to arrive in Mdumbi by 4:00 PM on your arrival day.

If suitable flights are unavailable, we can assist in arranging overnight accommodation and airport transfers for the following day.

Important: Allow extra travel time on departure day—the roads on the Wild Coast are winding and potholed, which may extend travel time beyond what Google Maps estimates.

The ocean water temperature varies from 20-22C. We recommend:

• 5mm wetsuit with a hood (or extra hooded vest)

• Mask & snorkel

• Fins (long freediving ones are best)

• Dive socks or booties (make sure they fit with your fins!)

• Dive gloves

Due to limited availability, any gear rental must be pre-booked. Scuba gear rental is R4000 extra per person, which is having a tank and fills, scuba equipment rental is available if needed (BCDs, regs, etc.)

• Mdumbi is a rural area with limited supplies available locally.

• 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.

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

Clothing & Comfort

Air temperatures range between 10-28C. Nights & early mornings are chilly, but it warms up quickly. Bring beach wear for the daytime and something warm for the evenings (jackets, beanies, warm socks etc.) The early start to the day also necessitates a jacket!

Clients should bring hats, sunglasses, and a lighter windproof jacket for comfort to wear over your wetsuit on the boat. A buff or beanie will also help keep warm. A drybag is a good idea to keep personal items on the boat.

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.

• 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.

We start the day early with a simple cold breakfast at 6:30am, and get on the boat at 7:30 and are on the water with the whales, dolphins and sardines until 3-4pm. The late afternoon is yours to relax, download images and enjoy the sunset after an action-packed day. Dinner will be served at 6:00 pm each night.

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.

Should I choose snorkel/freediving or SCUBA?

The feeding action is fast-paced and challenging to keep up with. Snorkeling and freediving allow you to move quickly, stay with the action, and easily return to the boat for repositioning. Static baitballs are rare, but if they occur, SCUBA may be an option. Additionally, there are local reefs where SCUBA diving can be enjoyed when baitballs aren’t present. However, SCUBA diving in these conditions requires a high skill level, as it takes place in open water, with fast-moving currents and large predators.

Will I get seasick?

If you’re prone to motion sickness, bring medication—we spend long hours on the boat daily. Ocean conditions can be rough, and some of the best baitball action often happens in choppy waters.

Is there WiFi?

WiFi is available but intermittent, as we are in a remote location and weather conditions can affect the signal. While it’s suitable for social media and basic communication, it is not strong enough for conference calls or heavy data usage.