About Jeffreys Bay and Surrounding Area
Jeffreys Bay demonstrates a welcoming ambience and an air of hospitality, which is evident to all guests of this unique beach town as they enjoy the surf, sunshine and superb coastline. Jeffreys Bay is often referred to as the "home of the perfect wave". Visitors from all over the world flock to our town with its moderate temperatures, all year round. Mild winters make it possible for water sports to be enjoyed throughout the year.
With Jeffreys Bay as base you could explore the wide variety of fascinating attractions our region has to offer. You can enjoy everything between hiking through the fynbos and surfing the perfect wave. The bustling town is situated between two nature reserves and rivers - the Kabeljous and Seekoei Estuaries; and within Jeffreys Bay - the Noorsekloof nature reserve. This beautiful beach town is located just east of the Garden Route - the famous route between Port Elizabeth (Nelson Mandela Bay) and Cape Town. From Jeffreys Bay, this scenic road winds through the beautiful Tsitsikamma forest, Nature’s Valley, Plettenberg Bay and Knysna. The Kouga Region features the towns of Jeffreys Bay, St Francis Bay, Cape St Francis, Humansdorp, the smaller beach towns of Oyster Bay, Aston Bay, Paradise Beach and the twin valleys of the Gamtoos and the Langkloof. Due to its prime spot, Jeffreys Bay provides travellers with an ideal base from which to explore the enchanting east coast of South Africa as well as an ideal holiday location.
BEACHES
Jeffreys Bay main beach, Dolphin Beach, has been awarded Blue Flag status, a prestigious international award only given to beaches that meet stringent standards in environment protection, facilities provided, safety equipment and personnel on hand. There are many smaller, more private beaches along the coast of Jeffreys Bay. Kabeljouws Beach is famous for its long stretches of endless sand where you can enjoy a quiet walk along the beach for miles.
Jeffreys Bay is best known for its spectacular surfing spots, including Kitchen Windows, Surfers Point and Supertubes, which is internationally acclaimed as being one of the world’s top ten surf spots and is host to the world-famous International Billabong Pro surfing competition which takes place every year during July. Straight, long, hollow cylinders and sizeable swells guarantee that even the most expert of surfers enjoys a challenging and beautiful ride on some of the world’s most remarkable waves. But Jeffreys Bay is more than just a surf town; it is welcoming and friendly to all its visitors.
SURFING
International surfers flock to Jeffreys Bay to catch the legendary waves in this paradise of sunshine, aloes, dolphins, shells, perfect surf points and classic reefs. Surfers and others who found it hard to leave such an idyllic spot have turned Jeffreys Bay into a year round exciting place to be. Jeffreys Bay, or just “J-Bay” as nick-named by the locals, is known to the world-wide surfing community as the 'home of the perfect wave', but is equally known for great family vacations - largely due to the long stretches of golden sand and sky blue oceans.
SHOPS & RESTAURANTS
Da Gama Road leads to the centre of Jeffreys Bay, a bustle of shops and restaurants. A wide variety of shops reflect the diversity of local talents. There is also the Billabong Village, where some of the best clothing bargains can be found, the new Fountains mall and various small shops in and around town. A good selection of coffee shops, fast food take-aways and restaurants cater for every culinary taste. Some favourites are The Mexican, 3 Fat Fish, the infamous Walskipper restaurant, Tapas, Cob Creek Wine Estate which is situated just out of town, Cafe Kima and InFoods, just to name a few.
ACTIVITIES
When the wind is right, enjoy some windsurfing or kite surfing on the lagoon; or sea kayaking on the ocean or lagoon is another option. Maybe you’re lucky enough to join a pod of dolphins! Dolphin Beach is also favoured by body boarders and windsurfers, and every summer there’s a touch rugby festival on its sands. Other activities include jet-skiing, whale and dolphin watching, ocean diving, kiting and quad biking.
For the family there is the new Fountains Mall, a cinema, putt-putt course and fun fair. Close to the main beach is a fun supertube, the perfect place for parents to relax as their children spiral down the slide to the pool below. That will satisfy even the most bored child!
Try sand boarding from the spectacular dunes around Jeffreys Bay, Gamtoos dunes or behind Tapas Restaurant. It’s fun, fast and easy to learn.
Enjoy horse riding on the beach at the famous Papiesfontein; or put on your hiking boots and do some of the trails found in and around Jeffreys Bay, or you can go mountain biking to explore the vicinity.
For fishing choose between surf fishing and boat fishing. You can to catch kob, grunter, steenbras, musslecracker, elf and many more. Maybe even charter a fishing vessel in St Francis Bay.
For the golfers: choose from various outstanding golf courses in and around town. Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp and Hankey with excellent 9-hole courses; and St Francis Bay which boasts with an 18-hole golf course. Port Elizabeth also has 2 courses.
Take a trip to the game reserves, within 30 km from Jeffreys Bay, where you can view 18-20 different species of game in their natural habitat; or to the Addo Elephant National Park, about 108 km from Jeffreys Bay just 3 km off the N2, for an unforgettable experience. Drive through Hankey, oldest town in Eastern Cape, the picturesque Patensie with stretches of citrus orchards before entering the Baviaanskloof Mega reserve where you can even camp in the traditional native American tipi tents. While there visit the impressive Kouga Dam, the first double-arched dam engineered in South Africa.
