Jeffreys Bay

Jeffreys Bay, known locally as J-Bay, is world-renowned as the Surf Mecca of the World, featured in the 1966 movie Endless Summer. The town offers gorgeous white sand beaches safe for bathing, never-ending summers, and an abundance of sea shells. Ocean temperatures reach around 23°C in summer, making it ideal for water sports beyond surfing, including kite surfing, scuba diving, and sea kayaking.

The closest major airport is Port Elizabeth Airport. Shuttle services like St Francis Bay Airport Shuttle and J-Bay Cabs operate between Port Elizabeth airport, Jeffreys Bay, and St Francis Bay. J-Bay Cabs offers 24/7 registered and fully insured transport. Car rental is also available for those preferring independent travel.

Jeffreys Bay is easily walkable, with most places centered around Da Gama Road, the main beach, and Supertubes. Car rental, taxi services (including metered taxi JBay Cabs at 18 Da Gama Road), and bike rental are all available for getting around town and to nearby attractions.

Summer offers ocean temperatures around 23°C, ideal for swimming and water sports. The area is busiest during South African holiday seasons, particularly December and January when accommodation rates increase. For a quieter visit, consider the shoulder seasons when weather remains pleasant and beaches are less crowded.

J-Bay caters to all budgets: backpacking hostels like Island Vibe Backpackers (free collection from Jeffreys Bay or Humansdorp) and Jeffreys Bay Backpackers (dorm beds from R100), caravan and camping at Jeffreys Bay Caravan Park, bed and breakfast options like Bay Cove Inn (R300-350 pp), and upscale beachfront apartments like Diaz 15 (from R1225-2375 pp). For more peace and quiet, consider staying at Marina Martinique or Kabeljousriver.

Dolphin Beach is an alcohol-free zone. Da Gama Road is the main dining strip with options like Die Vismandjie (best fish takeaways in South Africa), Kitchen Windows (seafood specialist open Tu-Su), and In Food (best breakfast and coffee). For quick bites, try Spence's Pies for breakfast pies or Steers for burger chain value. The Mexican offers live music and dancing. Two nightclubs exist in town, including Upstairs @ Havana and Sovereign sports bar.

The main attraction is surfing at Super Tubes, considered one of the world's best right-hand point breaks. Other surf spots include Boneyards, Kitchen Windows, Magna Tubes, Point, and Albatross. Activities include Jeffreys Bay Surf School (around R300 for first lesson), Ubuntu Surf Co. (lessons from R200), kite surfing on Seekoei and Kabeljouws rivers, Wacky Waterpark at Marina Martinique, beach horse rides at Papiesfontein, quad rides, sandboarding, and 9-hole golf at Jeffreys Bay Golf Club.

Robberies of tourists and less careful locals are becoming more frequent. Be careful when walking alone on the beach or in town at night. Do not leave valuables visible in your car. Watch for pedestrians crossing without warning between informal settlements on the road between Jeffreys Bay and Aston Bay at night. Also watch for stray animals on roads. Use only registered and qualified tour guides.

There are internet cafes in town, some offering WiFi and video call capabilities. Places to sleep often provide free WiFi. Mobile operators have 3G networks. Local telephone directory: 1023. International telephone directory: 10903.

Nearby destinations include St Francis Bay (charming holiday town with white houses and black roofs, set around marina canals), Cape St Francis (peaceful village with Seal Point surfing and 1878 lighthouse), Paradise Beach (6 km of unspoiled beach), and Aston Bay (untouched beaches in nature conservancy). Further afield are the Addo Elephant National Park (Big 5 game reserve) and Shamwari (Cape's premier Big 5 game reserve).