Jeffreys Bay

The Kouga Region features the towns of Jeffreys Bay, St Francis Bay, Humansdorp, the smaller beach towns of Oyster Bay, Aston Bay, Paradise Beach and the twin valleys of the Gamtoos and the Langkloof.

Jeffreys Bay, the gem of the Kouga Region, is also the gateway to the Garden Route. It boasts with endless unspoilt beaches and at some places quite a variety of shells is washed up the shore every day. Before you start your own collection, first visit the Shell Museum!

Jeffreys Bay offers a variety of activities. You can go horse riding on the beach; you can watch the dolphins and the whales play between July and October to name a few. Make sure you visit go to our Things To Do menu to get a complete list of activities in the region.

If you’re a surfer Jeffreys Bay is the place. Be sure not to miss the Billabong Pro competition in July every year. If you’re not a pro there are surfing schools for beginners with excellent training. If that seems still above you, there are even places ideal for paddle skiing and knee boarding.

Shows with South African artist are being held in Jeffreys Bay right through the year, with December as the peak season.

A nature lover? There is more than one game reserve within 30 km from Jeffreys Bay, where you can view 18-20 different species of game in their natural habitat. You can even cycle through a game farm looking out for rhino, giraffe, zebra and other game.

For fishing choose between surf fishing and boat fishing. Boats can be launched from Dolphin Beach with its Blue Flag status. You stand a good chance to catch kob, grunter, steenbras, musslecracker, elf and many more. Or even charter a fishing vessel in St Francis Bay.

If that doesn’t pump the adrenaline, why not try sand boarding? Do it from the spectacular dunes around Jeffreys Bay or at the Marina Martinique. It’s fun, it’s fast and easy to learn. Or you can go mountain biking to explore the vicinity. You can do it on your own bike, or hire one, or you can make use of the guided tours through a nature reserve (with abundant birds to watch) and eventually jump off the “suicide rock” to cool yourself.

When the wind is right, enjoy some elegant windsurfing or kite surfing on the lagoon. You can have hours of fun. Sea kayaking on the ocean or lagoon is another option. May be you’re lucky enough to join a pod of dolphins!

Put on your hiking boots and do one of the 4 trails found in and around Jeffreys Bay. Or visit the shark aquarium to watch 6-7 species of sharks up close.

If you are a keen golfer you have a choice: Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp (16 km away) and Hankey (35 km away) with excellent 9 hole courses. St Francis Bay (36 km away) boasts an 18 hole golf course. Port Elizabeth a mere 65 km away has 2 courses..

For the non-golfers there is a splendid array of interesting shops waiting. Locally handmade clothes, jewelry and leatherwear are any shopper’s dream!

For the family there are a cinema, waterslide, putt-putt course and fun fair. That will satisfy even the most bored child!

With Jeffreys Bay as base there are a lot of sights to explore; places such as the untamed Baviaanskloof Mega reserve. You can now even camp in the traditional native American 18 ft tipi tents.

Drive through Hankey, oldest town in Eastern Cape, the picturesque Patensie with luscious green citrus orchards before entering the Baviaanskloof reserve. While there visit the impressive Kouga Dam, the first double-arched dam engineered in South Africa.

Down the coast lie St Francis Bay and Cape St Francis, each with a charming character of its own. The fist-mentioned is unique in South Africa. Beautiful houses, all in thatched architecture, nestle against the slope towards the sea. In between flow the canals, linking the residential marina with each other and the Kromme river estuary. St Francis boasts the only national private owned harbour of its kind.

In Cape St Francis you’ll sense a relaxed atmosphere, find the temperature mild and the people extremely friendly and helpful. Towering above all is the historic lighthouse, warning boats of a rocky beach to one side while shining its light over the beautiful sand beach on the other side.

Drive on the N2 to the East and you can visit the famous Addo Elephant Park, situated 108 km from Jeffreys Bay, just 3 km off the N2. Then come home to be pampered by a friendly hostess in one of excellent B & B’s, Guest Houses, or do your own thing in one of the backpacker or self-catering establishments.