Jeffreys Bay
Jeffreys Bay is surfing's ultimate right-hand point break—a legendary wave that spirals down a long bay on South Africa's Eastern Cape. The wave connects multiple sections: Boneyards, Supertubes, Impossibles, Tubes, The Point, and Albatross, with rides of 300+ meters on perfect days. Supertubes is the crown jewel, a flawless barrel machine that has long hosted the World Surf League's J-Bay event. Winter brings consistent Antarctic groundswells and offshore winds that groom the wave to perfection. The water is cold, the locals are proud, and the potential for unforgettable tubes is unmatched.
Jeffreys Bay surf forecast
Model forecast for swell, wind and tide.
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SW (215°)
- Direction range
- 193° - 226°
- Size range
- 1.2m - 4m
- Ideal size
- 2.5m - 3.3m
- Height multiplier
- 0.97×
- Ideal period
- 14s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- W (267°)
- Offshore range
- 232° - 301°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.6m
Water temp
18°C
Wetsuit
3/2mm fullsuit
Difficulty
7/10
Crowd level
8/10
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Jeffreys Bay?
Jeffreys Bay is a point break in Eastern Cape, South Africa, that mostly breaks right. It's on our list of the world's 100 best waves.
What's the story behind Jeffreys Bay?
The town is named after the senior partner of Jeffrey & Glendinnings, who opened a store there in 1849. Surfers who came for nearby St Francis Bay, made famous by The Endless Summer, stumbled onto J-Bay and found a faster, more powerful and more consistent wave. In the 2015 J-Bay Open final, Mick Fanning punched a shark that got tangled in his leash and came out physically unharmed.
What swell works best at Jeffreys Bay?
Jeffreys Bay picks up swell from the SSW round to the SW, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SW. That's a tight window, so it needs the swell direction to line up. It starts working at around 1.2m and handles up to about 4m, with the sweet spot around 2.5 to 3.3m. Period matters too: aim for 14s or longer, as anything under 12s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Jeffreys Bay?
A W wind is dead offshore at Jeffreys Bay, and anything from the SW round to the WNW keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 11am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Jeffreys Bay?
Jeffreys Bay is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.4m to 1.6m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Jeffreys Bay?
The most reliable run of swell at Jeffreys Bay comes May to Sep. There's a second window in Apr and Oct too. Winter swells from Antarctic. W-NW winds offshore.
How cold is the water at Jeffreys Bay?
The water at Jeffreys Bay averages around 18°C, so you'll want a 3/2mm fullsuit. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Jeffreys Bay good for beginners?
Not really. It's rated 7/10 for difficulty and suits experienced surfers. It gets busy (crowd 8/10), so mind the pecking order. Cold water. Known shark activity. Heavy localism at Supers.
How do I get to Jeffreys Bay?
The nearest airport on our list is PLZ, then it's roughly a 1.5-hour drive.
What other surf spots are near Jeffreys Bay?
The closest breaks we track are Cape St Francis (21 km), Seal Point (21 km) and Bruce's Beauties (37 km), handy when Jeffreys Bay isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: May-Sep
Secondary: Apr, Oct
Winter swells from Antarctic. W-NW winds offshore.
Getting There
🤙 Strike Specialist
Nearby Spots
Cape St Francis
🎬 Endless Summer legend • Film that changed surfing • Pilgrimage point
Seal Point
🎬 Endless Summer coast • Surf history icon • Long rights
Bruce's Beauties
🎬 Endless Summer legend • Rarely perfect • Original pilgrimage
Plettenberg Wedge
Plett wedge • Bodyboard-friendly peaks • Shifting sand setup
Buffalo Bay
🌊 Protected Knysna cove • Slow right off Walker Point • Beginner heaven
Plan a trip around Jeffreys Bay
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