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Town in Eastern Cape, South Africa
Photo: User: (WT-shared) NJR ZA at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Jeffreys Bay is located within the Cacadu District on the Sunshine Coast of South Africa. Also known as J-Bay, the town is famous for surfing, white sand beaches and an abundance of sea shells. The town became popular with surfers after the 1966 movie Endless Summer.
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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.
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 (ISBN 0620240083, Eldolise Publishers, [mailto:steynde@mweb.co.za strynde@mweb.co.za]). There is an annual Shell Festival in September and a lovely Shell Museum on the corner of Drommedaris and Da Gama Roads.
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.
A wide and uncrowded beach, good for windsurfers and kite boarders with a nice breeze most of the year.
A small conservation site, more like a park. It's made up of valley bushveld and home to over 50 bird species.
Suitable for all ages with floating obstacles and slides.
Wetsuit and board is supplied.
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.
9-hole (18-tee) golf course.
Horse riding.
Offroad quad riding.
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.
Game drives and horse rides.
Try their breakfast pies, filled with scrambled eggs, bacon and tomato.
The in place and serves the best breakfast and coffee in town just opposite Fruit&Veg.
Probably the best fish takeaways in South Africa.
Part of the Steers group. American-style pizzas so don't expect a thin base, but their toppings are good. Free delivery
Homestyle cooked meals, seafood.
A South African burger chain. Very good value for money. Try their hero steakrolls.
Operated by J Bay Cabs. Available 24/7, see website for on-line menus and services.
formerly Mr. Delivery
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.
Lions Den
Grocery shop with restaurant, the latter named Lions Den. Excellent Portuguese fare. Have a beer with Manual.
Ice cream and coffee bar.
Specializing in seafood, but they also have steaks and pizza.
Restaurant and gift shop.
A South African restaurant chain, good steaks.
Despite the name, the restaurant seems to mostly serve steaks and also some seafood dishes.
Seafood and steaks.
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.
A Mexican-themed restaurant. Live music and the party can get quite intense with people ending up dancing on the tables by early morning.
Lively nightclub next to the beach. Moved from their old location to this spot.
Sports bar and nightclub.
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.
The oldest and nicest backpackers in town.
Overlooking the surf. Free breakfast, free internet. Dorm bed R 120.
Bed and breakfast.
Great value tranquil setting off main rd, stunning sea views, 500 m to the beach.
Self-catering.
16 self-catering units. Free Wi-Fi.
3-star, stunning indoor pool.
Bed and breakfast.
Bed and breakfast on the marina canals.
B&B and self catering apartments.
2- and 3-bedroom units on the Marina Martinique canals and 100 m from the beach, Walskipper and Tappas.
Rustic beachfront apartments right in front of Supertubes, the world's most famous right hand point-break. Ideal accommodation for travelling surfers.
Beachfront holiday apartments.
Three upscale rooms with balcony and free Wi-Fi.
Four star rating.
The Fountains Mall outside of J-Bay had lots of the major shops, e.g., Game, Clicks, Mr Price, Woolworths.
A no-frills supermarket.
Surfboard shapers and manufacturer.
Locally manufactured Classic J-Bay designs and imported NSP and Sunset Softboards.
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.
By shuttle
By plane
The nearest airport is the Port Elizabeth International Airport, which is approximately 75 km away.
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.
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Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) · International · PLZ
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