Locals reckon that Jeffreys bay was known as the
place of dreaming, and it’s easy to see why. With miles of seemingly
endless ivory sand, littered with the largest variety of shells
washed up by the tide, and some of the best bathing beaches - it’s a
special place for any beach bum. Jeffreys bay, or J-bay as it is
affectionately known, is sandwiched between the scenic garden route
and sunshine coast – so called as this region has more sunshine
hours than any other.
Our gloriously temperate climate has a mere 5
degree midday difference between summer and winter, with a summer
maximum average temp of 27 degs and minimum average temp of 19 degs.
The summers are warm with a very temperate humidity level. Winters
are mild and pleasant, and it is significant that water sports are
practised year-round.
Our bay is the meeting point where the warm Indian
Ocean current mingles with the waters of the cold Atlantic, creating
unique conditions for an incredible diversity of marine life.
Dolphins are an almost daily sighting with the southern right whale
coming to clave between July and September putting on a show with
their courtship rituals.
J-bay is home to the perfect wave! With its unique
combination of beautiful beaches, endless summers, abundant shells,
white gold (calamari) and relaxed lifestyle, its no wonder this town
has become world famous.
Another International attraction is the Billabong
Surfing Festival in July each year when surfers from all over the
world come to enjoy these flawless formations of rolling surf.
The safe beaches are perfect for bathing and all
water sports, making it a popular weekend getaway and holiday
destination.
The Jeffrey's Bay Shell Museum houses an
impressive and beautiful collection of local shells gathered on the
beaches of Jeffrey's Bay, as well as shells from other countries.
Visitors are welcome to collect shells which are varied and
plentiful.
What would J-Bay be without some sort of
acknowledgement to surfing and to all the surfers that have graced
its waves over time? The Surf Museum is an epic way to discover
where, when and how surfing started, and to understand where this
little seaside town fits into the whole culture.
Between May and August each year, the low pressure
systems that move across the cape, generate a swell that rolls
around the headland of cape St Francis and into Jeffreys Bay,
creating what has been described as the best right hand break in the
world.
There are a number of small nature reserves in the
area, such as the Kabeljous Estuary and Nature Reserve, which is a
walk-about reserve with a safe beach for swimming and excellent
fishing opportunities as well as bird watching and small animals.
The Noorsekloof Nature Reserve is a 28.7 hectare
reserve stretching up to Wavecrest, small buck and many birds can be
seen along the 3 km trail running alongside the stream.
Then there is the Seekoei River Nature Reserve
which is on the Seekoei River estuary. It is a bird watchers
paradise, as the hide overlooks the Seekoei River where there is an
abundance of water fowl.
