Jeffreys Bay, less than an hour from Port Elizabeth, is a surfer’s haven on the Sunshine Coast.
‘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.’
But Jeffreys Bay is more than just a surf town, it is welcoming and friendly to everyone looking to have a great time.
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 metres 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 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.
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.
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.
Accommodation
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.
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