Overview

Jeffreys Bay (J-Bay) is one of the most famous surf and kitesurfing spots in the world, located in the Eastern Cape. This long sandy beach faces south-southwest and benefits from world-class waves. The town is a surfing mecca, hosting an annual WSL World Championship Tour event. For kiting, the main beach offers vast space with ideal wave conditions for wave riding. The southeast thermal wind is reliable in summer.

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Spot forecast for Jeffreys Bay

Sunrise 05:32 · Sunset 18:37

Open-Meteo

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

Swell and waves

Swell and tides over 8 days. Premium members see the swell and tides over 8 days. Without a subscription: 5 days.

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Wave height: < 0.5 m 0.5–1 m 1–2 m 2–3 m ≥ 3 m

Swell data by Open-Meteo Marine

Tides

Heights above lowest astronomical tide, in the spot's local time. Computed 1.6 km from the spot.

Tuesday 20 October Low tide 05:30 · 0.8 m High tide 12:12 · 1.2 m Low tide 18:34 · 0.8 m
Wednesday 21 October High tide 00:24 · 1.2 m Low tide 06:30 · 0.7 m High tide 12:55 · 1.4 m Low tide 19:12 · 0.6 m
Thursday 22 October High tide 01:09 · 1.3 m Low tide 07:07 · 0.5 m High tide 13:27 · 1.5 m Low tide 19:43 · 0.5 m
Friday 23 October High tide 01:43 · 1.5 m Low tide 07:39 · 0.4 m High tide 13:56 · 1.7 m Low tide 20:12 · 0.3 m
Saturday 24 October High tide 02:15 · 1.6 m Low tide 08:10 · 0.3 m High tide 14:25 · 1.8 m Low tide 20:42 · 0.2 m

Jeffreys Bay: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

277h

in October · 31 rideable days

The season runs from September to March, peaking in October: 30 rideable days a month and 277 hours of usable wind, at 24 °C. The low point is June, at 12 days.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 68%13-20 knots · 31%21-30 knots · 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 68% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is June, at 20 °C. The wettest month is October, with 75 mm.

Monthly averages: Jeffreys Bay

Monthly averages — Jeffreys Bay — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	30.5	311 h	26 °C	43 mm
February	28.0	265 h	26 °C	21 mm
March	30.0	212 h	26 °C	35 mm
April	23.5	163 h	23 °C	50 mm
May	21.0	99 h	23 °C	8 mm
June	12.0	63 h	20 °C	62 mm
July	16.5	79 h	20 °C	24 mm
August	25.0	142 h	20 °C	8 mm
September	28.0	201 h	20 °C	23 mm
October	31.0	277 h	22 °C	75 mm
November	30.0	299 h	23 °C	41 mm
December	31.0	328 h	25 °C	14 mm

Photo gallery of Jeffreys Bay

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Technical details of Jeffreys Bay spot

The spot works with winds from ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW.

Rideable Not rideable

Spot functioning

The spot works mainly with SE wind in side-onshore in the afternoon. The main beach is vast and well-suited for kiting. Waves are regular and quality for wave riding. Rideable at all tides. At low tide, the beach is very wide. The spot is shared with surfers — respect riding zones and surf priority at Supertubes. Best from October to March.

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Required level: Intermediate

On the water

Waves of 1-3 metres, among the best in the world for kite wave riding. Sandy bottom on the main beach, reef on point break sections. Waves are long and regular during SW swells. Water temperature between 18-22°C (Indian Ocean influence). 3/2 wetsuit in summer, 4/3 in winter.

Parking

Several parking areas along the main beach of Jeffreys Bay. Main parking in town centre with direct beach access. Additional parking at Supertubes and Kitchen Windows. Free in most areas. All shops, restaurants and accommodation available in town. Kite and surf schools on site. J-Bay is 1 hour from Port Elizabeth.

Wind specificities

Southeast wind is the dominant kiting wind, blowing side-onshore on this south-southwest facing coast. The SE thermal picks up regularly in the afternoon from October to March, reaching 15-25 knots. J-Bay is renowned for its reliable and strong winds. West/southwest wind accompanies cold fronts with stronger conditions. Mornings are often calm with light offshore NW wind, ideal for surfing.

Hazards

Sharks — J-Bay is known for great white shark presence. Strictly respect shark alerts and shark spotters. Dangerous reef areas (Supertubes, Kitchen Windows). Possible conflicts with surfers — respect designated zones. Lateral currents during large swells. Powerful shore break. Wind can strengthen rapidly in the afternoon.

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Nearby spots

All spots: Eastern Cape

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Jeffreys Bay kitesurf, wingfoil and windsurf spot