Jeffreys Bay – Cape Town - South Africa

 

Jeffreys Bay is a town located in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The town is situated just off the N2 Highway, about an hour’s drive southwest of Port Elizabeth. Cape Town is the provincial capital of the Western Cape located on the shore of Table Bay.

Jeffreys Bay is known to be one of the most famous surfing destinations in the world to visit and explore all it has to offer, which has made in recent years become the fastest growing town in South Africa.

Wrapped in a stunning mountain backdrop landscaped with amazing reefs, an abundance of quality seashells, incredible wildlife, endless beautiful white sand beaches, great nightlife, lots to see and do, and consistent surf with 6-15 foot curls (plus) that has Jeffreys’s Bay nicknamed and well known as J Bay, and even better known as Supertubes.

Seasoned professional surfers gather here annually each July to compete in the Billabong Pro tournament that is held where there are some of the finest point breaks in the world, the best right hander you’ll ever see!

The Supertubes beach with its famous waves and barrel tubes are considered to be unparallel to anywhere else in the world.

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Visit J Bay

Take a flight into Port Elizabeth Airport, rent a car and drive south around the coast to the Eastern Cape where you will find Jeffreys Bay.

The ride is only about an hour or so to capture the 270 degree swell exposure surrounded by the ocean on three sides, all except the north.

Pounding the surf year round, every coast is swept by two major ocean currents creating a surfers paradise for advanced surfers. March through September sees the best surf but the lightening fast walls of water from July to August usually produce the largest barrel tubes.
If you are a beginner a popular spot called the Point will suit you well with a smaller set of pounding waves, yet still provide exciting fun sessions to challenge but a lot more friendly than J Bay.

There are several world-class spots on the South African coastline but this one beats them all. The warm Mozambique-Agulhas ocean currents and the cold Benguela meet along the seashores that form these huge swells which means the water is cold here so bring your wetsuit for this wild coast.

Other remarkable breaks in the area can be found at Boneyards, Kitchen Windows, Magnatubes, Phantoms, Dungeons, and Cape St. Francis Bay. In 1966 the famed movie Endless Summer put this well knownholiday destination on the map and it is thriving to this day. You can see the whales passing by and the dolphins have made this their playground, but be aware of the sharks that are attracted also to this spot in large numbers.

Summer months are from November–March with temperatures averaging about 79 degrees keeping the climate mild, warm and dry. Winter months are cool from May-September and average at about 45 degrees.

The African coastline is beaded with spot after spot of magnificent waves that have made this area so famous and has evolved it to a superior premier world-class surfing destination.

Get Home Safe

There are pockets in South Africa with high incidence of crime in urban areas. Day or night women should never travel or walk alone.

Although Johannesburg is plagued with crime, Cape Town has experienced hijackings, robberies, and other violent crimes in the recent years of the city’s turbulent history.

Tourists are particularly vulnerable to pick-pocketing and purse snatching. Decline services from informal parking attendants, only uniformed guards should watch your car and will charge a fee or expect a tip. Travel in groups and keep a low key appearance with discretion in mind and using common sense by concealing cell phones, flashy jewelry, large amounts of cash, or expensive items you may be carrying.

Steer clear of all dimly lit locations or ATM machines, only use the ones that have 24 hour security. Don’t walk alone at night around the City Centre and you must be careful even during the day at the Grand Parade. Only visit a township in the company of a tour guide and avoid public transport at all times, especially at night.

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Emergency Services: phone 107
Police Flying Squad: phone 10111
Ambulance Services: phone 10177
⇒ Operations are 24 hrs a day.

* Please contact each individual country’s Travel Advisory prior to visiting for more information.

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Hazards and Health

Cape Town is not vulnerable to the health hazards risks that are prevalent in other parts of Southern Africa. Drinking water is good, sanitary conditions are good, and the food in most restaurants poses no health issues to be made aware of.

⇒Public facilities are sub-standard so visitors usually frequent the more expensive private facilities, which there is usually a charge for and you’ll need to possibly provide coverage insurance for and/or a cash deposit as well to use.

⇒ Red Tide invades the west coast of Africa in the summertime periodically and affects the waters of the entire area. Shellfish poisoning occurs so avoid it on any menu. Red Tide is widely publicized when present.

⇒The southerly winds sometimes bring marine organisms known locally as Bluebottles (Portuguese Man-Of-War jellyfish) ashore. They are easily recognizable by their long trailing blue threads and bubble like air filled blue sacs. Avoid stepping on them at the beaches or in the water, their sting when inflicted is extremely painful. Even a dead specimen stranded on a beach can still inflict sharp, painful, potent stings with their tentacles if touched.

If stung leave the water immediately — Do not rub with a wet or dry towel — quickly remove any part of the jellyfish that is still sticking to the skin with gloves or pull off with a tweezer-like utensil — Do Not Touch the affected area — ice packs and a local anesthetic spray should be applied. In more extreme cases seek medical attention as soon as possible.

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In the case of an emergency there are two hospitals that are easily accessible from Cape Town.

Cape Town Medi-Clinic
21 Hof Street
Oranjezicht +27 21 464 5500
24 Hour Emergency Centre +27 21 464 5555

Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital
181 Longmarket Street
City Centre +27 21 480 6111

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Airports

Cape Town International Airport is the second largest airport in the country.
+27-21-934 2240

Port Elizabeth Airport
+27 (0) 507 7348

For more travel information and passenger reservation services contact the Airports Company South Africa

Stop By and See

There is a lot to see and do in or near Cape Town. Only some of these magnificent attractions are listed here.Historical sites, museums, parks and gardens, amusement parks, wineries, breweries, distilleries, zoos and wildlife and casinos are just a few of the attractions that should sidetrack you in between surf sessions during your visit.

Two Oceans Aquarium
See the all the wonders of the undersea world off the coasts of South Africa.
Dock Road, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town
+27-21-418 3823

South African Museum & Planetarium
Focus is on science and anthropology.
25 Queens Victoria Street, Cape Town
Planetarium +27-21-481 3900
South African Museum +27-21-481 3800

Robben Island
This is a maximum security prison known for its institutional brutality where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 18 years along with other dissidents of the antiapartheid movement. The island has been distinguished as a World Heritage Site and you may even see the many different types of wildlife that call the island home including antelope and penguins.

 The tour of the museum is a moving experience shadowing the small eerie cells and lime quarries. Some of the museum guides are former prisoners that tell their stories with first hand depth and experience. There is a 3½ hour tour including a 45 minute bus tour around the island. Ferries to Robben Island leave daily from Victoria & Alfred Waterfronts, Cape Town. 021- 413-4200

Jeffreys Bay Shell Museum
South Africa 042 293 1945
International +27- 42- 293 1945

Table Mountain -

Cape Town’s sophisticated majestic setting puts 360 degree panoramic view sight-seeing on the list. The easiest and most scenic way to view this, is to ride the Table Mountain Cable Car.
+27-21-424 8181 Call ahead for more information.

Cape Town Holocaust Centre -
The only center in Africa dedicated to the World War II holocaust.
Albow Centre, 88 Hatfield Street, Cape Town 021-462-5553
-and in the same complex you will find the…

South African Jewish Museum -
This landmark building is made from Jerusalem stone
displaying the cultural contributions made by Jews in
South Africa. 021-465-1546

Castle Of Good Hope -
The Cape’s past exhibits the country’s oldest
surviving building.
For more information call +27-21-1249

The Houses of Parliament -
One of South Africa’s centers of government offer a glimmer in to remind you of England’s influence on the area which date back to 1884.
90 Plein Street, Cape Town +27-21-403 2266

District Six Museum -
A memorial to the residents that once was a vibrant neighborhood.
25-A Buitenkant Street
Gardens, Cape Town +27-21-466 7200

Constantia Valley Wine Routes -
A historical and beautiful wine valley boasting
award-winning winemaking at the five vineyards
there in Constantia Valley.
+27-21-794 5128

Stellenbosch Wine Route -
The oldest wine route in South Africa, take a tasting tour.
+27-21-887 4049

Grand West Casino & Entertainment World -
This multifaceted casino has two hotels on the complex including 2500 slot machines 68 gaming tables, a huge cinema, ice rink, a movie film studio theme park, go cart track, and a packed gaming arcade.
1 Vanguard Drive, Goodwood, Cape Town +27-21-505 7777

Ratanga Junction -

Amusement Park fun that is the wildest place to be in Africa… spend a day on the roller coaster rides and other attractions or drop in on the shows and entertainment, a theme park and more.

Open from May through November.
Located on Century Boulevard and is only 15 minutes from City Centre -
across from the Century City megamall.
+27-21-550 8504

Note: The information links we provide may change at any time. To be safe and stay current please confirm with any of the individual establishments for any dates, times or holiday schedule changes prior to planning your visits.

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Good Eats, Restaurants & Pubs

South Africa offers a lot of trendy spots loaded with good restaurants and a vibrant venue of all types of live music jamming to the likes of rock & roll, authentic African, rhythm & blues, jazz, reggae, or any kind of music you can think of.

Dance to the latest releases with DJ’s from New York, London and Berlin. Most of the best bars and nightclubs can be found in or near City Centre especially on Long Street.

Insider Reports tell us these are some of the tasty picks for restaurants and since there are so many to choose from, we’ll just list a few favorites.

Ginga
5 star
Tables are hard to get in this award-winning fusion cuisine restaurant.
This restaurant is quite understated in a very old looking building, but don’t pass it by.
121 castle street, City Bowl, Cape Town
+27-21-426 2368

Mama Africa
4½ star
Fantastic marimba live bands and good food catering to both locals and tourists.
178 Long Street, Cape Town
+27-21-424 8634

Jardine Restaurant 4½ star
Today is one of the Cape’s best restaurants, the dishes speak for themselves.
185 Bree Street, Cape Town
+27-21-424 8634

Bo Kaap Kambuis
4 star
Tourists and locals nightly pack this restaurant serving a sweet and spicy cuisine with extraordinary service.
7 August Street, Cape town
+27-21-422 5446 (website unavailable)

African Cafe’
4½ stars
Set in a restored Georgian house from the 1700’s that has become a widely known main destination.
108 Shortmarket Street, Cape Town in Heritage Square.
+27-21-422 0221

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Surf Shops ~ so what’s nearby?

When you’re surfing the Cape finding surf gear or clothing is never a problem … here are just a few of the hot local shops around.

Chill and Surf
+27-21-785 4678
Surf board shapers.

Gary’s Surf Shop
+27-21-788 9839

Dave Stubbs Surf
+27 (0) 832844818

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Surf Schools

Since we are in surf heaven there are once again many surf schools to choose from in J Bay, check in with the locals when you get there for the latest scoop around town.

Jeffreys Bay Surf School
…learn to surf at Supertubes.
042-296 2563

Ubuntu Surf School
2 hour sessions every morning.
073 509 0400

Nomadsurfers
Surf instruction on every level since 1995.
34-971 31 17 17

Kahuna Surfing Academy

Jeffreys Bay premier surf coaching academy.
+27- 82-687 8434

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Where To Stay

Dolphin View Guest House
3 star, Jeffreys Bay
(042) 296 0594

Twenty seven On First
4 star
Waterfront luxury guest house
27 1^st Crescent, Camps Bay, Cape Town
+27-21-438 0163

Moya Manzi Beach House
4 star, Jeffrey’s Bay
+27-42-293 2923

Supertubes Guest House
Overlooking the Billabong Surf Classic surf spot.
+27-42-293 2957

There are many Hostels to choose from in Cape Town,
find date availability and reviews.

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Nightlife after Dark

Insider reports tell us these are some of the hottest clubs & pubs to venture on out to:

Ignite Bar
5 stars
This trendy club is open ‘till the wee hours and Thursday nights are the big night here. Catch some of the latest hip hop with a dance floor, very busy bar and a large balcony overlooking a picturesque view of the sunset and beach.
The Prominade, Victoria Boulevard, Cape Town +27-21-438 7717

Rhodes House
Classy Cuban and Latin dance club, middle age clientele.
60 Queen Street, Gardens, Cape Town
+27-21-424 8844

Dockside
Now here is a spot to travel this multilevel hot spot boasting 14 bars, five large dance floors, 350000 watt laser lighting system with music like techno, house and disco all night long.
Sable Road, Cape Town
+27-21-552 2030

Kennedy’s Cigar Bar
Some of the finest cigars in the world accompanied with jazz music and leather couches set in old world pub charm.
251 Long Street, Cape Town
+27-21-424 1212

Chrome
A hot spot on this trendy street with state of the art sound and lighting keeps everyone going all night long with R&B, hip hop and house music.
6 Pepper Street, City Bowl, Cape Town
+27-21-83 700 6079

Zula Sound Bar
An upstairs balcony, great sound system, acoustic jams and live international rock with local hip hop music flavors this double story club.
194 Long Street, Cape Town
+27-21-424 2442

Manenberg’s Jazz Café
Popular and famous, well known waterfront venue for the very best of African jazz.
102 Clock Tower Precinct
Victoria Alfred Waterfront, City Centre, Cape Town
+27-21-421 5639

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Check out MD Travel Health prior to going on your trip for the latest complete travel health information. Updated daily for physicians and travelers.

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