Surfing Supertubes, Jeffreys Bay

Discover Supertubes, Jeffreys Bay – home to the perfect wave!

Supertubes is proclaimed by anyone who ever waxed a board (and most world champions) as the most perfect and predictable wave in the world, with great swell, tubes and the most consistent wave formations in South Africa. Waves can get big, sometimes as high as 3m.

Surfers go here to pay homage to the legend, as part of a pilgrimage and to ride swells that last up to three minutes long if you catch them when the swell's right.

Just watch out for the sharks – there's more here than just about anywhere in the world, due to the warmth of the Indian Ocean waters. But, for purists, there is no better place to be.

Jeffreys Bay is located on the Eastern Cape, 65km south-west of Port Elizabeth.

The wave – Supertubes is considered one of planet earth’s most epic right-hand point breaks (the best of six superb breakpoints in J-Bay). Racing along a lava-rock reef, the wave is a high-speed run of perfection that lets you surf with a massive smile on your face.

Best tide – All tides

Best swell direction – South-west

Best wave size – 1.2m to 3m

Best wind – South-west

Ability level – Advanced

Ride length – 150m to 300m; on a good day up to 600m

Bottom – Reef/point

Best board – Your fastest!

Best season – May through August; July is perfect

Access – Easy

Crowd factor: – Pretty crowded; patience and perseverance are probably the keys here

Local vibe – Can be tense at times; some of the locals are known to get ornery

Hazards – Watch out for great white sharks: there have been plenty of sightings, attacks and bumps

Facilities – Surf shops are everywhere and some will rent boards. You’ll also find the Billabong head office, retail outlet and factory shop, and surf museums.

Accommodation – J-Bay offers a host of options, from luxurious hotels to cheap and cheerful backpacker rooms

Aprés surf – Several great bars and restaurants: try Steve Walsh's Sushi Restaurant for the freshest sushi and live music

Other activities – Sand-boarding on the nearby sand dunes, game parks, bungee jumping. The nearby Kabeljous, Seekoei and Krom river lagoons host numerous water birds and are ideal for kayaking, boardsailing and fishing.

Laurels – Venue of the ASP World Tour event

Nearest airport – Port Elizabeth Airport in Port Elizabeth, or Cape Town International Airport in Cape Town

Getting there – Hire a car. What better way to see this beautiful country on the off-days?

Read more about Port Elizabeth


Latest update: Surfing Supertubes, Jeffreys Bay: 27 April, 2022



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