Why so many people love Jeffreys Bay, South Africa

Jeffreys Bay in the Eastern Cape of South Africa is a very popular holiday destination for South Africans and foreign tourist alike wanting to enjoy the beach and sun.

December and January is the peak tourism season in Jeffreys Bay considering that all South African schools close for summer break and particularly large crowds are also drawn over the Easter period, the Billabong Surf Competition in July and during the September Shell Festival. Often referred to as a ‘ A Place of Dreaming ‘, we’ve put down some notes on what makes this famous coastal town so attractive:

Surfing

Jeffreys Bay is of course known as one of the best surf spots in the world. Supertube is the most famous wave and offer you incredible standup-barrels. (In Surfing terminology, the barrel is where the wave is hollow when it is breaking. A barrell can also be referred to as a tube – hence, Supertube.)
There are about 10 surf spots to choose from in Jeffreys Bay and when all of these connect, you have one of the longest waves in the world.

Surf season is June to August, but there is always something to surf in JBay.

Climate

The climate in JBay is known as ‘one of the best in the world’. It is very mild and very hot or very cold days are limited. The sun is out almost every day and winters in Jeffreys Bay are often described as better than summer on the continent. Frequent rain keeps the gardens green and the region free from water restrictions.

Winter stretches from June to August during which time days usually average a comfortable midday high of about 15 to 19 degrees Celsius (roughly between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit). At night, this may plummet to as low as 6 to 10 degrees C, or about 48 degrees F.

Summer days are usually around 28 degrees Celsius (about 83 degrees F) with evening temperatures of approximately 18 degrees C (65 degrees F). Wind is not confined to a specific season in Jeffreys Bay and offshore breezes work well in cooling the hot summer days.

Shopping

Another reason to visit Jeffreys is for the Factory & Surf Shops. Billabong is the most famous surf brand in South Africa and the headquarters are located in JBay. Jeffreys Bay is often called Billabong Town for this reason.
You will find no less than 5 Billabong shops in Jeffreys Bay, one of which has the largest collection of surf boards for sale in South Africa. The factory shops offer merchandise at significantly reduced prices..
A big attraction is the Fountains Shopping Mall with about 60 shops and a big Pick n’ Pay Supermarket. When you drive into Jeffreys Bay, you can’t miss the complex on your right hand side. Fountains Shopping Mall also includes a selection of restaurants, bars and coffee shops as well as a cinema.

Neighbourhoods of Jeffreys Bay

Jeffreys Bay is divided into different areas.

The Wavecrest area is the most popular area, which is more residential but also has a supermarket and some small shops and restaurants. It is situated on a hill and so many properties have stunning views over the bay.
Central Jeffreys Bay, also known as Ou Dorp (Old Town) is where you will find an eclectic collection of local shops and restaurants plus the post office and most banks.
The Industrial Area is located opposite the Tokyo Sexwhale Township.

Security in the town is very good with tight ties between the neighborhood watch organisation and the local South African Police Service (SAPS).

Accommodation

The Savoy Hotel was the first hotel to be built in Jeffreys Bay and dates back to 1818. Now, you will find a varied selection of accommodation options such as backpacker hostels, B&Bs, hotels, self-catering apartments, and family villas. Visit our Accommodation Directory

Property

Should you be interested in buying a holiday home or permanent residence in Jeffreys Bay, local estate agents will be able to assist in the process. LiveTheLife was selected as the best real estate agency in Jeffreys Bay and features a wonderful selection of property for sale to suit any budget. JBay is really a lovely town and offers everything you need. Visit our Property Pages

Restaurants

The number of restaurants in Jeffreys Bay has doubled in recent years. Browse our Restaurant Guide to see what is on offer to tempt your taste buds.

Healthcare

In case of emergency, doctors and nurses are on call at the Policlinic 24 hours a day. Click here for a full list of Emergency Services in Jeffreys Bay.

Attractions

Explore JBay’s tourist attractions, activities and the many things to do in Jeffreys Bay and the surrounding area – from surfing, fishing or golf, to game drives and day trips.

For nearby game drives, consider Lombardini Game Farm, Shumba Game Farm or Fijnbosch Game Lodge.

The most popular golf courses in Jeffreys Bay are Hankey golf club (042 284 0335) and Zwartenbosch golf club.

Also see our Events & Entertainment for a range of other things to do in Jbay, to see ‘what’s on’ near you and for a guide to the nightlife in Jeffreys Bay.

Dolphins

The dolphins ever-present in the JBay surf is a wonderful contribution to the exquisite natural beauty of this town. Your best chance to see them is if you are on the beach just before sunrise or just before sunset. If you are ultimately lucky, you may even spot them swimming around you in the surf!

Dolphins read the ocean better than any other creature and they are certainly part of making Jeffreys Bay a real place of dreaming…

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