Things have been a little quiet I will admit.
the Sardine run this year was very good and it was sad that the flights into SA were so expensive making it really hard for the regulars to visit us...thus the poor turnout. There is always next year!
We are permanently back in SA now hoping to be busy in the Aliwal shoal area. Contact us for info on charters!

Sardine Run

The action that can be expected out at sea is fast and furious. The ride out to sea is picturesque and exciting as one heads out through the mighty Umzimvubu river at Port St.Johns.
Guests will be based in Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, from where they will be taken to sea on a daily basis to observe and follow activity at sea. This consists of birds fish and sea mammals.

Each vessel, licensed to carry 12 passengers is limited to carry 8 passengers for space and comfort purposes. 10 Maximum for group bookings. Experienced skippers come with all vessels on all outings to ensure your safety and make your trip interesting and informative while on safari. Contacting Ant for bookings is essential.

Photography is a must for all sorts of photo snappers! If you are simply a novice that wants to get your own wildlife action on film or the serious photographer with all the right gear you are all welcome and there is space for all. We have space on the boats that is semi-dry. All camera gear should have its own dry bag or boxes.

The best weather and sea conditions to be had on the wild coast happen to be during the winter period. A little rain and overcast conditions can be expected on days, though normally good weather prevails. It is not uncommon to have bad weather at this time of year and for once it is a good thing as it brings the action up the coast and closer to shore. Sea conditions can range from glassy smooth to white capped seas…exciting and sometimes strenuous. It will be the skippers decision to launch or not. This is for your own safety irrelevant of your experience. Our team ensures your safety first at all times.

* AIR temperatures range between 14-25 °C
It is often cold in the morning early and at night.

* WATER temperatures range between 15-22 °C

CLOTHING and OTHER THINGS TO REMEMBER

Wind and rain proof outdoor gear or a wetsuit on the boat and casual warm wear for evening outings. A warm beanie and gloves comes in handy.

* Water proof jacket & trousers (oilskins) * Sun protection lotion * Hat * Eye protection (polarized) * Binoculars * Camera and waterproof bag or box * Spare batteries * Memory cards and film

INSURANCE

Travel insurance is highly recommended for all guests and should be organized in their country of origin. This is important!

ACCOMMODATION

The accommodation is simple (3 star) and is safe. We will be accommodated on the banks of the Umzimvubu river at small private lodgings that cater for all out eating needs and we will have a bar available for the soccer fans and we will make provisions to watch the games being played on any given day. We will be preparing hearty South African food as well as some local traditional tribal dishes. If and when it is possible we will arrange a seafood evening on one of your nights with us.


BASIC ITINERARY FOR OCEAN EXPERIENCE

DAY 1

Arrive at Durban International or at the Umtata airport where you will be met by a African Ocean Charters representative and transferred to Port St Johns. (4 hour drive) Alternatively one could self drive with a hired car.
Briefing on arrival for the whole group with a short talk about what to expect at sea and safety at sea.

DAY 2 – 4

7:00 am - Full breakfast

7:30 – 8:30 am - To the boat and heading out to sea to look for activity.
We would be out at sea for 4-5 hours a day looking for birds, dolphin, whale etc. The time period spent at sea on any given day will be dependant on the amount of activity encountered and sea conditions. There will be drinks and eats available on the boat at sea as well as hot chocolate and tea or coffee.

12-13:00 - Return to launch site

15:45 pm - Take a drive to one of the spectacular view points to have sundowners or simply relax .

19:00 pm - Dinner followed by a briefing on what to expect the next day.

DAY 5

09-00 am Depart after breakfast.

OCEAN EXPERIENCE

DATES 2010

* June 14 – June 16
* June 16 – June 20
* June 20 – June 24
* June 24 – June 28
* June 28 – July 02
* July 02 – July 06
* July 06 – July 10
* July 10 – July 14
* July 14 – July 18

Diving Charters

We offer mostly boat hire to groups of divers wanting to dive on the Eastern coast of South Africa. Anything from simple boat hire to guided ocean experiences can be arranged. If you have no dive leader or Dive Master, one can be supplied with the boat for the day or duration of the trip. Our service offered is mostly for divers that are experienced with their own gear. Air fills can be easily arranged. Ant Diplock has 20 years experience in skippering on the coast line of South Africa and welcomes dive operators tourists and underwater photographers alike. All boats are DTD registered with diving exemptions.

The sardine run on the coast line of South Africa is by far the highlight of the year. We offer boat hire to filming crews or private divers alike. Dive with the tiger sharks of Aliwal shoal or with the migratory ragged tooth sharks in the winter months at Aliwal shoal.

For the non diver, Ant offers an Ocean Experience. This consists of a day on the water looking for dolphin, whales and a general pleasure ride along the coast. Trips are tailor made to suit your needs. For these trips a maximum of 11 people is the limit.

Fishing Charters

African Ocean Charters was established to discover and share the remote and exciting fishing destinations throughout Africa. Whether it is the tussle with a Giant Trevally (GT), the run of a Sailfish or the strike of a Tiger fish, Ant will take you there. Over the years Ant Diplock has fished throughout Africa and has formed a simple strategy to share his passion and experiences with you, in surroundings he is familiar with.

African Ocean Charters is a specialist travel outfitter who can plan, book and guide you through a variety of fresh and salt water fisheries in search of the most renowned game fish. Our relationship with the industry ensures that the booking and running of these trips is in line with what you would expect to pay. No mark ups! Consider the time and energy required to plan your dream trip. We do our best to keep things simple and let the angling speak for itself.

Ant has years of fishing experience as well as booking and guiding fly fishing safaris, why not let him do it for you? Not only does Ant manage a wide variety of fully guided trips to numerous destinations, he can also tailor make itineraries to ensure that your greatest fishing expectations are met. Ant enjoys exploring new areas and ideas. So, why not take him along and maximize your chances of getting into that dream trophy? We take pride in specializing in the more remote, unexplored areas, at the same time ensuring that our clients needs are catered for at all times.

Join renowned guide Ant Diplock as he takes you to experience the best of salt water fly-fishing, drop shot fishing, plugging or spinning along the coast line of Mozambique or South Africa. For years he has traveled these countries coastlines in search of top destinations for angling, so as to target the widest range of species both from the shore and off a boat. He is convinced he has found the best locations - one such location being The Bazaruto Archipelago!

Here African Ocean Charters offers you a choice of 5 star or 3 star accommodation or on a yacht with world class fishing, with the opportunity to be guided by the regions most renowned and respected guide Ant Diplock. Ant has over 30 years of intense angling experience, from shore angling to Off-shore angling. He has guided many international clients over the past 10 years on successful outings.

The Bazaruto Archipelago is world renowned. To many anglers the island names like Bazaruto and Benguerra and coastal areas like Vilankulos and St Sebastian are becoming more familiar. With numerous 5 star lodges and more affordable options, the angler has an established base from which to set off and search for trophy fish. Daily flights from Johannesburg to Vilankulos make this a very accessible fishery. Self driving from South Africa is also a possibility

The Antony Diplock Profile

Ant Diplock was born in the former Transkei and grew up on a sugar farm on the Natal south coast. He spent his youth hunting, fishing, surfing and skippering dive and fishing boats. Once he completed his National Service he returned to the Eastern Cape and worked in the wholesale and rural market supply. He then progressed and was employed by the Coca-Cola Company to market the product in the rural areas. He disliked corporate life and soon was on the ocean again. He got a position as a skipper on Benguerra Island as fishing guide and left behind him the discomfort of wearing shoes, belts and ties. When he's not fishing or diving he is in the bush bow hunting or guiding.

Ant has a respect and love for Mother Nature that has become his life and he shares his knowledge in angling, hunting, animals and the ocean. He has a passion for photography and has started professionally guided ocean experience trips for photographers and nature enthusiasts alike. Spending most of his time between Mozambique, Botswana, South Africa and Kenya, he does private trips that are personalized and simple.
He speaks six languages of which four are black languages and has a vast knowledge of the Southern African continent. He is passionate about his friends and having a good time and works equally as hard with enthusiasm when at sea or on land. He loves to learn more about Africa and its animals every day and competent off road driving instructor. He takes safety seriously and has a wicked sense of humor. He can be very serious at times and equally humorous. Ant is easy going and charismatic with a hunger to show people the experiences that he had first hand. Personal and private trips are what he specializes in and there are no frills and complications, just keeping things simple.

Please feel free to contact him for advice on boating, hunting, off road driving or fishing issues. In any day in Ants life he is using his gear in a harsh environment. He, like all outdoorsmen, has his preferred brands of gear that is either rugged or efficient.