Missing video
Sorry, this video could not be found.
Surfer's Paradise
Jeffreys Bay, Eastern Cape
.jpg)
Jeffreys Bay is a popular surf spot
© South African Tourism
Did you know?
Jeffreys Bay has grown from a sleepy little fishing town to one of the fastest expanding urban areas in the country.
Jeffreys Bay, less than an hour's drive from Port Elizabeth, is a surfer’s haven on the Sunshine Coast. South Africa’s premier wave is at Supertubes, which for 10 days each July hosts the Billabong Pro, a World Championship Tour event. At this time of the year the waves are an awesome Hawaiian size one-to-three metres high, placing them among the top ten swells anywhere.
But Jeffreys Bay has more attractions to offer than just surfing, it offers you pristine beaches on which to relax and unwind. If all you want is relaxation then head for Dolphin Beach, a stretch of sand and surf awarded international Blue Flag status – an eco-grading given to beaches or marinas that meet the highest safety and environmental standards. Here there are always fully trained lifeguards on duty, making it a place where the family can spend a glorious day in the sun.
For those opting for a drier outing there’s mini golf, which is open all day, but most popular at night when there’s a lively atmosphere. Other J’Bay activities include tandem skydiving, sand boarding, jet-skiing, whale and dolphin watching, ocean diving, kiting and quad biking. Or go to the Park Lane Entertainment Centre which offers bumper cars.
For those who are wanting to know more about the environment there is The Shell Museum, which houses the largest collection of seashells in South Africa. The Penguin Centre is also a popular attraction, as is the Lombardini Game Farm just outside the town. Here you will find rhino, giraffe and a number of buck species.
Or drop in to visit the locals. With a tour of the Tokyo Sexwale township you will see how life unfolds in a small formal settlement. Make sure to look out for the barber shop where only two people can stand inside.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
Jeffreys Bay Tourism
Tel: +27 42 293 2923
Email: jbaytourism@telkomsa.net
How to get here
Jeffreys Bay is less than an hour from Port Elizabeth. Port Elizabeth's airport offers for domestic and connecting flights and is about 70km from the Jeffrey's Bay. Cape Town's International Airport is approximately 750 km from Jeffrey's Bay.
Length of stay
Unless you are planning a prolonged surfing stay over, Jeffreys should only take a day to explore.
Where to stay
There are a host of accommodation options from backpacker lodges to luxury guest houses. The budget Surfpackers, situated near the beach, is popular among surfers. There is also well-priced accommodation at Ashton Bay, Kabeljouws and Jeffreys Bay Caravan Park. One of the best guest houses in town is Supertubes, appropriately named in a town famed for its great waves.
What's happening
Dolphin Beach is also favoured by body boarders and windsurfers, and every summer there’s a touch rugby festival on its sands. Close by is Get Wet, which houses a long, snaking supertube; the perfect place for parents to relax as their children hurl themselves onto the slide to spiral down to the pool below.
Best buys
Da Gama Road leads to the centre of Jeffreys Bay, a bustle of shops and restaurants. There is the Park Lane Market Square and the Billabong Village, where some of the best clothing bargains can be found.