Jeffreys Bay

The Jeffreys Bay region is renowned for its gorgeous beaches, never ending summers, plentiful shells and is best known as “the Surf Mecca of the World”. The beautiful beaches are safe for bathing and provide endless excitement for water sports.
2 km south of JBay is Marina Martinique, a development on 5km of man-made saltwater canals. 2½ km north, is the beautiful valley of Kabeljousriver with its waterfall. These are good places to stay if you like a bit more peace and quiet than accommodation in town can offer. Aston Bay borders on Marina Martinique and if you cross the causeway over the lagoon of the Seekoi River, you come to Paradise Beach.
Paradise Beach is relatively undeveloped with 6 km of unspoiled beach all the way to the Kromm River which separates it from St Francis. It is not recommended to swim across the river.
Ocean temperatures are around 23°C in summer.

Tourist office

Jeffreys Bay Tourism

By car

Follow the N2 West from Port Elizabeth (75 km) or the N2 East from Garden Route and use the turn off to Jeffreys Bay. Jeffreys Bay is 876 km from Durban and 356 km from East London.

By bus

The BazBus stops on its way from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth in J-Bay and there are a number of intercity bus companies stopping in Humansdorp (drop-off for St Francis) and Jeffreys Bay.
Minibus taxis depart from the corner of Goedehoop and St francis street going to and from Port Elizabeth. one hour. R50.
Eldo Coaches have buses from Jeffreys Bay going to Cape Town and East London. The fare from Jeffreys Bay to Cape Town is R360, and the fare from Jeffreys Bay to East London is R310.

By shuttle

• St Francis Bay Airport Shuttle servicesThis cab service travels between Port Elizabeth airport, Jeffreys and St Francis Bay and transport tourists in and around the various towns and establishments.

• J-Bay Cabs

  phone: +27 83 611-1003
  Offers shuttle service between Port Elizabeth, Jeffreys Bay and St Francis Bay, registered and fully insured, Available 24/7.

By plane

The nearest airport is the Port Elizabeth International Airport, which is approximately 75 km away. Despite its name it only has domestic services, but you can fly in from other world cities with a change of planes in Johannesburg or Cape Town. The latter is approximately 650 km away and you can travel that trip overland if you have time and want to see more of southernmost Africa.
For general aviation, there is a good gravel airstrip - 1300 m for small planes in Paradise Beach.

You can easily walk around in town. Most places you want to be are centered around Da Gama Road, the main beach and Supertubes. Car rental, taxi, and bike rental are also available.

• Bicycle Hire

  phone: +27 83 661-5393
  As the name says, available at All Africa J Bay Lodge opposite 7/11 in centre of town.

• Jeffreys Bay Surf Museum

  phone: +27 84 240-1741
  address: 24 Da Gama Rd
  The Jeffreys Bay Surf Museum is situated inside the QuicksilverShop, where the history of surfing in Jeffreys Bay is displayed by way of newspaper clippings, articles, old magazines, ancient surfboards and lots of other interesting objects.

• Jeffreys Bay Shell Museum

  phone: +27 42 293-1945
  address: Da Gama Street
  J-Bay is well known for the huge quantity and the quality of shells that can be found on the beaches. A good book to use as a guide is The Sea Shells of Jeffreys Bay by Douw and Elise Steyn (, Eldolise Publishers, ). There is an annual Shell Festival in September and a lovely Shell Museum on the corner of Drommedaris and Da Gama Roads.

• Aston BaySituated between Jeffreys Bay and Paradise Beach, this area offers long stretches of untouched sandy beaches surrounded by protected nature reserves. Sightings of small buck, tortoises, a large variety of birds, rabbits and mongoose are part of every day life in this nature conservancy and the creatures are much loved by local home-dwellers.

• Paradise BeachParadise Beach promises a relaxing day on a pristine white beach, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday city life. The name explains it all: it really feels like paradise. Because of its wide and uncrowded beach, it’s also a paradise for windsurfers and kite boarders with a nice breeze most of the year.

• Noorsekloof Nature ReserveA small conservation site, more like a park, in the north of Jeffreys Bay. It's made up of valley bushveld and home to over 50 bird species.

The enthralling Jeffreys Bay boasts gorgeous blue flag beaches with plentiful shells - safe for bathing, water sports and fishing. The best beaches for sunbathing and swimming are Dolphin Beach (the main beach) and Kabeljous-on-Sea. The best surfing location is the , home to the perfect wave. Other spots include the Boneyards, Kitchen Windows, Magna Tubes, Point and Albatross. The area offers kite surfing on the Seekoei and Kabeljouws rivers, regular kite flying, canoeing, sea kayaking, scuba diving, and some great angling from the rocks or out at sea. Game drives, mountain and quad biking and are but some of the other exciting options to consider.

Surfing

Be a spectator at the annual Billabong Pro surfing competition, watch surfers at Supertubes all year round or hit the waves yourself. With numerous surf schools, surf shops and surfboard manufacturers based in the town, there is no excuse not to learn.

• Jeffreys Bay Surf School

  phone: +27 42 293-4214 or +27 82 324-7284
  address: 30 Diaz Road
  Wetsuit and board is supplied.

• Ubuntu Surf Co.

  phone: +27 42 296-0376
  address: 8 Cherry Street
  Offers excellent surf lessons with the Andrew Moon & Wavecrest Surf Academy. Guided surf tours are available for the JBay & St Francis area, plus longer trips going as far as Cape Town and the Garden Route.

Fishing

A number of companies offer deep sea fishing charters. Most of the boats operate from nearby St Francis.

Golf

• Jeffreys Bay Golf Club

  phone: +27 42 293-2532
  address: Disa Ave
  9-hole (18 tee) golf course.

Horse, hiking & mountain biking trails

There are a few small nature reserves in the area, such as the Kabeljous Nature Reserve, which is a walk-about reserve with a safe beach for swimming and excellent fishing spots, as well as bird watching. The reserve includes a 4-km hiking trail and its own flock of pink flamingoes (when in season). Nature lovers can also enjoy the Noorsekloof Nature Reserve, which runs through a popular residential area. Here you can look out for small buck and many birds while walking the 3-km trail running alongside the stream, while breathing in the magnificent fragrances of indigenous fynbos. The Seekoei River Nature Reserve, situated on the Seekoei River estuary, is a bird watcher’s paradise with hides overlooking the river. For the energetic, Jeffreys Bay can also be explored from the seat of a rented mountain bike. There are some exciting places to visit of which the waterfall, located just outside of town, is perhaps one of the best. The natural pools are refreshing to say the least, while the waterslide and cliffs from which to jump off is perfect entertainment for the more adventurous.

• Beach Horse Rides Papiesfontein

  phone: +27 82 574-9396
  Horse riding.

• J Bay Quad Rides

  phone: +27 72 227 8333
  Offroad quad riding.

Other

• All Africa Volunteers

  phone: +27 72 237-7422
  address: 30 Dogwood road
  While enjoying Jeffreys Bay why not help with the upliftment of the local community by donating your time to volunteer projects, teach local kids to surf, work with street children and families affected by AIDS. These projects are great fun and the reward even better.

• Lombardini Game Farm

  phone: +27 42 293-2073
  Game drives and horse rides.

• JBAY Paintball

  phone: +27 83 465-1200

• Wacky Wipeouts Sandboarding

  phone: +27 83 661-5393

Most shops and businesses are along the main road (Da Gama Street) or concentrated around the small main town area.

• Fountains MallThe Fountains Mall outside of J-Bay had lots of the major shops, e.g., Game, Clicks, Mr Price, Woolworths.

Supermarkets

• Spar

  address: 4 Mimosa Street

• Pick N Pay

  phone: +27 42-2933000
  address: St Francis Dve

• Shoprite U Save Supermarket

  phone: +27 422931349
  address: Cnr Pell & Duine streets
  A no-frills supermarket.

Surf gear

J-Bay is a good place to have a custom board shaped, as a number of surfboard manufacturers have made the town their home.

• Rebel Surfboards

  phone: +27 42 293-4410
  address: 8 St Croix Street
  Surfboard shapers and manufacturer.

• Glen D'Arcy

  phone: +27 42 293-2204
  address: 33 Jeffreys Str
  Locally manufactured Classic J-Bay designs and imported NSP and Sunset Softboards.

Clothing

There are many shops selling surfer wear and this is the place to buy an exclusive Billabong or Quicksilver outfit. Apart from the retail stores, there are also surf brand factory stores where you can find great surf gear at bargain prices.

• Billabong Concept Store

  phone: +27 42 200-2672
  address: 1a Da Gama Rd

• Billabong Surf Shop

  phone: +27 42 200-2640
  address: Magnatubes, Da Gama Rd

• Country Feeling Surf Shop

  phone: +27 42 200-2611
  address: 19 Da Gama Rd

• Surfer Girl

  phone: +27 42 200-2639
  address: Shop 1, Wavecrest Centre, 126 Da Gama Rd

Gift shops

• Shell Bay Blue

  phone: +27 42 293-4409
  address: 10 Drommedaris St

Budget

• Spence's Pies

  phone: +27 42 293-0630
  address: Seaview Pick 'n Pay Centre, St Francis Rd
  Try their breakfast pies, filled with scrambled eggs, bacon and tomato.

• In FoodThe in place and serves the best breakfast and coffee in town just opposite Fruit&Veg.

• Die Vismandjie

  phone: +27 42 293-1241
  address: 110 Da Gama Rd
  Probably the best fish takeaways in South Africa.

• Debonairs Pizza

  phone: +27 42 293-3398
  address: 30 Da Gama Rd
  Part of the Steers group. American-style pizzas so don't expect a thin base, but their toppings are good. Free delivery

• Die Kospot

  phone: +27 42 293-4320
  address: 110 Da Gama Rd
  Homestyle cooked meals, seafood.

• Steers

  phone: +27 42 293-1919
  address: 30 Da Gama Rd
  A South African burger chain. Very good value for money. Try their hero steakrolls.

You can have almost all fast foods delivered by making use of special delivery services.

• J Bay Transporter

  phone: +27 83 6111-003
  Operated by J Bay Cabs. Available 24/7, see website for on-line menus and services.

• Mr D Food

  phone: +27 42 293-3004
  They will accept food orders and deliver it to your door from most fast food outlets and restaurant that do not deliver themselves. Pick up one of their booklets from most fast food outlets.

Mid-range

• Aston Arms

  phone: +27 42 292-0792
  address: Dolphin Dr
  Grocery shop with restaurant, the latter named Lions Den. Excellent Portuguese fare. Have a beer with Manual.

• Cafe Dulce

  phone: +27 42 296-2078
  address: 126 Da Gama Str
  Ice cream and coffee bar.

• Kitchen Windows

  phone: +27 42 293-4230
  address: Ferreira Street cul de sac
  Specializing in seafood, but they also have steaks and pizza.

• Potters Place

  phone: +27 42 293-2500
  address: 18 Oosterland Str
  Restaurant and gift shop.

• Tampa Bay Spur

  phone: +27 42 293-4206
  address: Time Square Building
  A South African restaurant chain, good steaks.

• Tapas Lapa Seaside

  phone: +27 83 321-8508
  address: On the beach at Marina Martinique
  Despite the name, the restaurant seems to mostly serve steaks and also some seafood dishes.

Splurge

• De Visvijf

  phone: +27 42 293-3921
  address: 55 Diaz Rd
  Seafood and steaks.

• Walskipper

  phone: +27 42 292-0005
  address: Clapton Beach, Marina Martinique
  Dig your toes into the sand and look out over the ocean while enjoying a seafood platter. Walskipper is very popular during South African holiday seasons; best to phone and book the day before. During most other times of the year you can just walk in and sit down.

The main swimming beach, Dolphin Beach, is an alcohol-free zone.
There are many pubs and two nightclubs in town.

• The Mexican

  phone: +27 42 293-2966
  address: 19A Da Gama Rd
  A Mexican-themed restaurant. Live music and the party can get quite intense with people ending up dancing on the tables by early morning.

• Upstairs @ Havana

  address: Da Gama road
  Lively nightclub next to the beach. Moved from their old location to this spot.

• Sovereign

  address: Da Gama Rd
  Sports bar and nightclub.

J-Bay caters for all kinds of accommodation. Backpacking hostels, caravan and camping, bed and breakfast, self-catering and hotels can all be found.

Budget

• Jeffreys Bay Caravan Park

  phone: +27 42 200-2241
  address: 85 Da Gama Rd

• Island Vibe Backpackers

  phone: +27 42 293-1625
  address: 10 Dageraad St
  On the beach. They will collect you in Jeffreys Bay or Humandorp free of charge, collection from the airport in Port Elizabeth is charged at R200.

• Jeffreys Bay Backpackers

  phone: +27 42 293-1379
  address: 12 Jeffrey St
  The oldest and nicest backpackers in town.

• Ubuntu Backpackers

  phone: +27 42 296-0376
  address: 8 Cherry St
  Overlooking the surf. Free breakfast, free internet. Dorm bed R 120.

• Bay Cove Inn

  phone: +27 42 296-2291
  address: 1 Poplar Str
  Bed and breakfast.

Mid-range

• A1 Bay View

  phone: +27 42 296-1845
  address: 27 Chestnut Ave
  Great value tranquil setting off main rd, stunning sea views, 500 m to the beach.

• Barbiers Bliss

  phone: +27 42 296-1867, +27 82 722-0906
  address: 1 Akasia Str
  Self-catering.

• Beach Cabanas

  phone: +27 42 293-2820, +27 83 286-8904
  address: 118 Da Gama Str
  16 self-catering units. Free Wi-Fi.

• Dolphin View

  phone: +27 72 237-7422
  address: 30 Dogwood Rd
  3-star, stunning indoor pool.

• Greystone Guest House

  phone: +27 42 296-0616
  address: 11 Mopani st
  Bed and breakfast.

• Marina Martinique B&B

  phone: +27 42 292-0000
  address: Tobago Crescent
  Bed and breakfast on the marina canals.

• Pinnaquin Holiday Apartments

  phone: +27 42 296-1111, +27 82 823-4662
  address: 18 Noorsekloof Road
  B&B and self catering apartments.

• Saruna Guesthouse

  phone: +27 82 319-4300
  address: 208 Dolphin Drive

• Savoy Hotel

  phone: +27 42 293-2445
  address: 16 Da Gama Str

• Sea Whisper B&B

  phone: +27 82 489-9114
  address: 62 Petunia Ave

• Waterside Lodge

  phone: +27 42 292-0003
  2- and 3-bedroom units on the Marina Martinique canals and 100 m from the beach, Walskipper and Tappas.

• Dreamland Accommodation JBay

  phone: +27 42 293-3677
  address: 29 Flame Crescent
  Rustic beachfront apartments right in front of Supertubes, the world's most famous right hand point-break. Ideal accommodation for travelling surfers.

Splurge

• Diaz 15

  phone: +27 42 293-1779
  address: 15 Diaz Str
  Beachfront holiday apartments.

• Moya Manzi Beach House

  phone: +27 42 292-0780
  address: 17 Toevlugs Place
  Three upscale rooms with balcony and free Wi-Fi.

• Supertubes Guest House

  phone: +27 42 293-2957
  address: 10/12 Pepper St
  Four star rating.

Robberies of tourists and less careful locals are becoming more frequent. Be careful when walking alone on the beach, or while walking in town at night. Do not leave valuables visible in your car.
Be careful when travelling along the road between Jeffreys Bay and Aston Bay at night, as pedestrians do cross without warning between the small informal settlements on both sides of this road. Also watch out for stray animals on the road.

• At the closest airport, get directions and information from marked information counters
• Stay alert and keep an eye on your valuables and luggage at all times
• Use only registered and qualified tour guides. Contact tourism offices for a list of qualified tour guides

Important phone numbers

• National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI)

  phone: +27 42 294-0131, 082-911 (domestic)

• Police

  phone: 10111 (domestic), +27 42 293-1133
  address: 6 Woltemade St

• Fire Brigade

  phone: +27 42 291-0283

• Ambulance

  phone: 10177 (domestic), +27 42 293-1311

• Dr. J.S. Bouwer

  phone: +27 42 293-1244
  address: 1 Flame Cres
  Dentist.

• Dr. Jan Nagtegaal

  phone: +27 42 293-1166
  Doctor.

• Private Care Ambulances

  phone: +27 42 291-0749
  address: 22 Kemp Str, Humansdorp

• Private Hospital

  phone: +27 42 295-1100
  address: Humansdorp
  The closest hospital is located about 20 km away in the town of Humansdorp.

For contact details for food and groceries, vehicles, home services, liquor, medical practitioners, nurseries & garden services, pharmacy, professional, cleaning, legal services, photography, security, timber decks, housing, health and beauty call the local or international telephone directory.
Local telephone directory: 1023
International telephone directory: 10903
There are a number of internet cafes in town. Some offer wifi access and some are equipped for Skype calls. Places to sleep often also offer free wi-fi, and mobile operators have 3G networks (see South Africa#Connect).

• Cornerstone Laundromat & Coffee Shop

  phone: +27 42 296-0732
  address: Magna Towers / Checkers Centre, Da Gama rd

Churches

• Baptist Church

  phone: +27 42 296-3290
  address: Dolly Varden St
  Services at 8:30AM and 6PM. Coffee lounge at 5PM - All welcome. Kidz Klub on Friday nights for Primary School children. July holidays - Holiday Club.

• Catholic Church St Clare of Assisi

  phone: +27 42 291-1262
  address: Butterfly St

• Ned Gereformeerde Gemeente

  phone: +27 42 296-2451
  address: 9 Olienhout St

• Victory Church

  address: Seetuin Rd

• The Vine Church

  phone: +27 79 174-9185
  address: Cnr Noorsekloof & Mimosa Streets
  All welcome. Service at 9AM. Discipleship programs run on Tuesdays 7PM-9PM including such courses as ALPHA.

Nearby

Not far from Jeffreys Bay lies the charming town of St Francis Bay. It is known for its endemic white houses with either black tile or thatch roofs blending together with the Sardinian-style red tile roofs. Approximately half of the town is built around the largest web of manmade canals and waterways in Africa. Adjacent to St Francis Bay is the pastoral fishing village of Cape St Francis with its outstanding beach and historic Seal Point Lighthouse while Port St Francis is the harbour.
Visit Oyster Bay, a town that caters for those who enjoy quiet time and relaxation. Explore this district with its beautiful beaches, rich wildlife and adventures - surf the waves or swim with dolphins, there is something for everyone in this picturesque and breathtaking Jeffreys Bay area.

• Humansdorp

  phone: +27 42 295-1361
  The pleasant town of Humansdorp can be found en route to Plettenberg Bay from Port Elizabeth. The Kouga Cultural Centre is a famous attraction due to its symbolism and portrayal of the African Renaissance.

• Oyster BayWhat started off as a coastal farm before 1956, has since evolved into the small coastal town called Oyster Bay. Found 14 km west of St Francis Bay, activities such as swimming, as well as rock, deep sea and surf fishing can all be enjoyed in this seaside town.

• St. Francis BayThe charming holiday town of St Francis Bay is known for its endemic white houses with black roofs, either tile or thatch, together with Sardinian-style red tile roofs. It is set around the astonishing Marina canals, offers a delightful escape from the pressures of daily life, in a haven of peace and tranquility. Enjoy the glorious beaches, excellent water-sports, a leisurely lifestyle and the magical beauty of its unspoilt surroundings.

• Cape St Francis

  phone: +27 42 294-0076
  Cape St. Francis is renowned for its peace and tranquility. Nonetheless, surfers from all over the world flock to this coastal village in hopes of surfing a wave at the popular Seal Point. There are a number of nature reserves in the area, and another key attraction, is the lighthouse, which was established in 1878 and has since been declared a national monument.

• African Dawn Bird and Wildlife SanctuaryView several species of wildlife on the reserve 20 min from J Bay.

• Visit Hankey and see the grave of Sarah Baartman just outside the town and the largest sundial in Africa (36.4m in diameter).
• Take a relaxing drive to Patensie and have breakfast at Tolbos.

Further away

• Go to Port Elizabeth (75km to the east) and its attractions.
• Tsitsikamma and the Tsitsikamma National Park is worth a visit to relax a day.
• The Gamtoos Valley and Baviaanskloof

• See the Great Train Race during August or September where runners race The Apple Express stream trains from PE to Loerie.

Wildlife and game viewing is only a short drive away

• Shamwari

  phone: +27 42 203-1111
  The Cape's premier Big 5 game reserve.

• Addo Elephant Park

  phone: +27 42 233-0556
• Baviaans – valleys inland to the west of Jeffreys Bay
• Grahamstown – the "city of saints" about 200 km northeast
• Karoo – the plains to the north
• Sunshine Coast – the coast itself east and west