Jeffreys Bay was once a port for coasters and received its name from
the nineteenth century trader J.A. Jeffrey.
‘J’Bay is
a geographic fluke,’ enthuses South
African surfing legend Shaun Thompson. ‘It
is the world’s greatest right hand point break. Nothing can compare.
When a deep south swell meets up with a 10-knot southwest wind and a
medium to low tide, the result is perfection. A pure line of ocean
energy that can be ridden for over a mile.’
Making Waves
Jeffreys Bay’s wave season runs from
June to August, but good waves can be had as early as April or as
late as September. So don’t forget to bring your board, but remember
that this is South Africa’s winter so pack a good wetsuit as well.
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 meters
high, placing them among the top ten swells anywhere.
Other surf spots in
J’Bay include Tubes further down near The Point, Albatross,
Boneyards, Magnatubes, Kitchen Window and Main Beach. Best of all,
you don’t need to bring anything as there are a full range of
surfing services from a surfing school to equipment hire and
specialist shops.
Beach Life
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 equipped lifeguards on duty, making it a
place where the family can spend a glorious day in the sun.
Dolphin Beach is also
favored 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.
Fun, Fun, Fun
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 want 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. African Wildlife sanctuary 25 km from
town offers the perfect getaway for families to enjoy a variety of
wildlife.
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.
Surf the Shops
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.
Among the eateries is
the quaint The Sunflower restaurant, popular with both residents and
surfers. Here by candlelight and the strum of a guitar you can watch
the nightlife stream past. Also busy is Guido’s, a pasta and pizza
restaurant, and the bars along the beachfront.
