Unwind
and soak up the sun Surf
the perfect wave Just
watch the perfect wave Eat
tender calamari for lunch Visit
the shell museum Fish
for Kob off the rocks Go
bird watching at Seekoei Buy
a J-Bay T-shirt Watch
the Billabong Surf Festival Play
golf at St. Francis Bay
The popular beach resort of Jeffrey's Bay is about a half hour's
drive west of Port Elizabeth on the Eastern Cape's
Indian Ocean coast. Commonly referred to a J-Bay by locals, this charming
seaside village is the home of the 'perfect wave' and hosts
the Billabong Surfing Festival every July.
Jeffrey's Bay is considered by many to be the world's
premier surfing spot because of its perfect breaks. Year after year,
the waves at Kitchen Window, Supers, Boneyards and the Point continue
to deliver smiles to the faces board riders as they shoot the
flawless tubes or kick back out of a minutes-long dream ride.
Surfing culture is everywhere in the town
and the laid back rhythm of the waves reflects in the unhurried
lifestyle and
relaxed nature of the people. The beautiful beaches and endless
summers make this a place where you can come to unwind,
soak up some sun and let your troubles float away
on the sounds of the crashing surf.
Apart from surfing, Jeffrey's Bay has plenty to offer the visitor.
The golden beaches yield deposits of a great variety of
quality shells showcased in the famous Shell Museum. The area
is also the hub of a thriving calamari (or white gold)
industry and this delicious seafood can be sampled at many spots in
the town.
Fishing is popular in the area and anglers will find the best
beach spots between Gamtoos River Mouth and Kabeljous Mouth
and rock fishing locations from Kabeljous to Paradise Beach.
Local fish include Kob, Grunter, white
Steenbras as well as elf, sharks and rays. The Kabeljous
Estuary and Nature Reserve also has a safe beach for swimming
and is home to a variety
of
birds
a small animals.
Other reserves near Jeffrey's Bay include the Noorsekloof
Nature Reserve where
small buck and many birds can be seen along the 3 km trail
running
alongside
the stream. For birdwatchers, the Seekoei River Nature
Reserve has an excellent hide that
overlooks the Seekoei River with its abundance of waterfowl.
Other good birding spots include
Norsekloof, and the African Dawn Bird and Animal Sanctuary where
you can see the exotic Knysna Loerie and a large selection
of local and foreign species.
Jeffrey's Bay offers good accommodation options for travelers.
There are a few game farms in the area as well as some charming
self-catering
guesthouses and B&Bs. A friendly backpackers welcomes visitors
on a budget.
For shoppers, the town has a thriving handcraft industry,
which includes leather shoes and goods, shell art
and clothing.
The Country Feeling clothing
shops are an institution and
their T-shirts and other clothes
depicting scenes of Jeffrey's Bay make the perfect gift
for yourself or someone back home.
If all that surfing and shopping leaves you craving a good
meal or a cold beer, there is a good selection of coffee
shops, take outs and restaurants in Jeffrey's
Bay to cater for every culinary taste. Don't miss the local
calamari
- try it grilled with garlic and chilli or the
traditional deep fried version, served with tartar sauce.
If you're up for a game of golf, the nearby St
Francis Bay Golf Club is a picturesque links-style course
that is a favourite with both local and international golfers.
The moderate length of this 18-hole
course makes for a relaxing, pleasurable game but it is
still a challenge for players wanting to break the par 71.
The Club
is well known for its warm hospitality
and
spirit and welcomes visitors all year round.
Unwind
and soak up the sun
Freestate 
