Surfing in Jeffreys Bay
Surf culture is alive and well in South Africa and there’s one place in the country that has legendary status: Jeffreys Bay, or J-Bay, as the locals call it.
J-Bay is famous for having one of the best and most consistent right-hand point breaks in the world, offering the experienced surfer the prospect of an almost 1km-long ride.
This, and the fact that there are many other good surf spots in the vicinity, has made it the hub of the surfing industry in the country. For a number of years, J-Bay was on the international Billabong Pro circuit, and it remains a popular venue for national surfing competitions.
Novice surfers can sign up for lessons here, while the more serious can go shopping for a hand-shaped board.
Nearby Cape St Francis is also renowned for its right-hand break that was immortalised in the film Endless Summer.
And J-Bay is not only famous for its waves – sunrises are breathtaking (surfers on the ‘dawn patrol’ will be treated to this sight) and dolphins often share the waves, making for beautiful photographs.