Our round trip through South Africa had been running smoothly and without complications up to this point. From Johannesburg, we continued through the majestic Drakensberg. We then drove for more than 10 hours to the Wild Coast. Here, we spent wonderful days with great people in a stunning location. The coast simply has to be seen and experienced to be believed. We took a short break in Chitsa, a small resort town between the Addo Elephant Park and Jeffreys Bay.
No matter where you look up “Jeffreys Bay South Africa,” you’ll inevitably come across the topic of surfing. This is probably due to the “best wave in the world,” as it’s often called. Aside from this one wave, there are many more waves you can surf there. And that’s exactly what makes Jeffreys Bay not just one of the best surf spots on the coast – but one of the best spots in the world.
Jeffreys Bay is a popular destination for surf junkies for precisely this reason. It’s especially hectic in June and August. Surfers from all over the world flock to Jeffreys Bay to experience the 800-meter-long “Super Tubes.” These waves can reach up to 3 meters high – crazy, right?
The Billabong Pro Surfing Festival
For years, the Billabong Pro Surfing Festival was held in Jeffreys Bay. Everyone who was anyone in surfing met here. And you can imagine how this otherwise small town was bursting at the seams on these days, right? Since July 2013, the “JBay Winter Fest” has been taking place in Jeffreys Bay. It’s all about sports and music. The JBay Open of Surfing is, of course, at the forefront.
Although we clearly consider ourselves surfing beginners, we excitedly packed our things in the coastal town of Chitsa and covered the 400 kilometers in just under four hours. Since we want to be flexible with our itinerary, we don’t book accommodations far in advance, or at all.
The cool Island Vibe Hostel in Jeffreys Bay
Calling on the day of arrival or simply driving there directly is definitely something to be done in the off-season. So we drove to the “Island Vibe Jeffreys Bay” and checked out the location. And what can I say…the hostel welcomed us with an incredibly laid-back charm.
The beach is right on your doorstep, the hostel is clean, the people are cool, and yes, even the kitchen is well-equipped! The rooms were small but adequate. We slept in a 6-person room for the first two nights and shared a 4-person room with two German girls on the last night. The dorms cost 150 Rand (10 Euros) per person. However, if you book the “private room” for 4 people, you only end up paying 150 Rand per person. Remember!
Upstairs in the hostel bar, you can get delicious pizzas and cool drinks. You can also play a round of pool or foosball for 2 Rand each. There’s even a special table for beer pong. If you want to save money, you can also cook and self-cater. Near the hostel, there are also a few bars, supermarkets, restaurants, and factory outlets selling all kinds of surf brands. It almost felt like Bali. Here, too, everything is reminiscent of a surfing hotspot.
From the hostel, you have a great view of the ocean and the waves. You often see surf enthusiasts standing there. They watch the waves, check the forecast, and chat about the weather conditions.
Jeffreys Bay, South Africa – A Surfer’s Paradise
As soon as everyone agrees, they put on their wetsuits, grab their boards, and head out. During our stay, however, the surfing conditions weren’t quite optimal, so most of the guys didn’t go out on the water. Safety first!
If you don’t feel like surfing, you can also try sandboarding. You can book the sandboarding tour directly at the hostel for 200 Rand (13€). Highly recommended! More on that below.
Sandboarding in the dunes of Jeffreys Bay
We were on the boards for about 2 hours and obviously had a lot of fun that morning. We cruised down the dunes at quite a bit of speed – sometimes on our feet, sometimes on our butts, and occasionally lying on our stomachs. There are no limits to creativity.
The dunes are a true feast for the eyes, and the sand is so fine and soft that you’d love to bury yourself in it. Even if you crash-land with your board, you’ll rarely get injured. The water is turquoise, the sky is blue with a few clouds, and the dunes and the sun are simply perfect.
If you don’t feel like wearing a board at all, you can also hop on a horse, hike to a waterfall, sail, abseil, golf, canoe, or simply curl up in a hammock with a book. During the day, the hostel is a great place to hang out. Most people are out and about anyway, so you can enjoy a bit of peace and quiet in the public areas. It can get a bit louder in the evening, but only upstairs in the bar.
We really, really liked it here in the village and especially in the hostel. We really had everything we needed and would have loved to stay longer. But we will definitely come back at some point, that’s for sure!
The most important tips and highlights:
- Location: Jeffreys Bay near Port Elizabeth
- Accommodation: Island Vibe Hostel in JayBay
- Cost: 6-bed dorms and 4-bed rooms from 150 Rand (10 Euros) per person
- Highlight: Surfing & Sandboarding in the dunes
- Beaches: expansive, gently sloping (occasionally rocky)
- Food: at the hostel or Pick and Pay supermarket (large selection)
Book a cool tour through South Africa here or take excursions in the area around Jeffreys Bay. You’ll find a variety of offers at Get Your Guide.