Jeffreysbaai, Oos-Kaap

Home to the Perfect Wave and an Endless Summer

Jeffreys Bay is situated in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

The town can be found just off the N2 Highway, less than an hours’ drive from Port Elizabeth. Part of the Sunshine Coast, it has become a popular tourist destination, particularly with surfers from all around the world. Surfers have made Jeffreys Bay internationally famous and within easy walking distance of the town are many renowned surfing beaches. It has become one of the top five surfing destinations in the World and is host to the Annual Pro Surfing Championship.

Jeffreys Bay is not only a surf town, but is popular with all tourists looking for adventure and relaxation. It is also famous for its abundance of sea shells and seafood. Enjoy a relaxing or sport filled day at Dolphin Beach, an internationally awarded Blue Flag Status Beach, meaning the safest water fun you can have. Go Surf Fishing or visit the Shell Museum and see the largest collection of sea shells in South Africa or take a guided tour to visit the locals in the Tokyo Sexwale Township.

Accommodation ranges from Backpackers and Camping to Luxury Guest Houses, satisfying any visitor to this picturesque town.

Places to Visit

Things to do and see

• African Dawn Bird & Wildlife Sanctuary
• Van Stadenjs Wild Flower Reserve
• Tandum Skydive – EP Skydivers
• Jeffreys Bay Surf Museum
• Jefferys Bay Shell Museum
• Jeffreys Bay Golf Course
• St Francis Bay Golf Course (30 km)
• St Francis Links Golf Course (30 km)
• Papiesfontein Beach Horse Rides
• Seal Point Lighthouse (30 km)
• Penguin Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre (30 km)
• Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve
• Addo Elephant National Park

With plenty of outdoor activities, be sure to bring your sunscreen while visiting along the ‘Sunshine Coast”.

Climate

Jeffreys Bay has a warm climate throughout the year with colder evenings in the winter months.

Summer months, November to March will have average temperatures of between 14˚C and 25˚C with fair rainfall all year round, the driest months are December, January and February.

Winter months, May to August will have average temperatures of between 9˚C and 21˚C with August to October being its peak rainy season.

Transport

Commercial Airlines offer daily flights into Port Elizabeth International Airport. Self-drive trips can be taken with a hired vehicle along the N2 highway or you can contact J-Bay Cabs who offer shuttle services from the airport and in and around the town.

If you prefer guided tours in the area, there are plenty to choose from along the Garden Route.

Festivals

July – Jbay Winter Festival: World Surfing Championship.

September – Jeffreys Bay Shell Festival: Approximately 250 stalls offering a wide variety of products from food, crafts and activities. Also included are sport, entertainment and live music.

October – Addo Rose and Garden Show: Spectacular display of approximately 250 000 roses.

More festivals can be attended in the surrounding areas, see Plettenberg Bay and Port Elizabeth.

History

In 1849, Jeffrey & Glendinnings opened the first store in the location where the town is today. The town was named after the senior partner of the firm, Mr. JA Jeffrey and he is believed to have been the first person to settle in the area. This once sleepy little fishing town has become one of the fastest expanding towns in the country, receiving its Municipal status in 1968. It has become home to one of the largest YWAM (Youth with a Mission) bases in the South Africa, meaning that at any given time there are at least 20 representatives from different countries in the area.

Jeffreys Bay is known as one of the most famous surfing destinations in the world and in the 1960’s and 1970’s was often referred to as the “hippie hangout” where the now huge surfing community originated from. 

Long before surfers discovered the area, shell-collectors had found it to be one of the most prolific sources of sea-shells on the coast of Africa with shells of the temperate southern Cape and tropical Indo-Pacific species.