Surfing legends have put Jeffreys Bay firmly on the map

[caption id="attachment_157890" align="alignright" width="300"] Waking up to the sound of the ocean is the order of the day at this establishment[/caption]

With international interest as a surfing mecca, the Eastern Cape town of Jeffreys Bay has grown over the last few years.

The popular holiday town, just off the N2 and about 75km southwest of Port Elizabeth, is an outdoor enthusiast’s playground.

Things to do

J-Bay has that undeniable vibe when the town is bustling with tourists in the summer months, but in winter it has that old country feeling with the warmth and friendliness of the residents encouraging visitors to relax.

Surfing hot spots to visit include Supertubes Collection, Boneyards, The Point, Kitchen Windows beach restaurant and Kabeljous.

If surfing is not your game, there is a wide range of activities to choose from.

For adrenaline junkies there are sandboarding, windsurfing, mountain biking and horse riding.

For the nature lovers, there are three small nature reserves to explore in the area.

The Seekoei Nature Reserve, Kabeljous Nature Reserve and Noorsekloof Nature Reserve have self-guided hiking trails.

The kids can get involved in paintball and indoor putt-putt.

The Jeffreys Bay Shell Museum situated in town is also worth visiting.

The beaches are beautiful and we were thrilled when we spotted dolphins playing in the water.

Other residents told us they saw a whale just before we arrived at the beach.

You can explore the factory shops in Da Gama Road and there is a large shopping centre called Fountains Mall situated just out of town.

Where to eat

J-Bay has some of the best seafood in the country, and the calamari, also known as white gold, is a must.

Die Walskipper is one of the top restaurants in the area and is situated on the beach.

During our winter getaway we dined at Kitchen Windows beach restaurant.

The food is delicious and reasonably priced but the highlight is the view of the ocean as the sun sets.

Other places worth visiting include Nina’s Real Food and Infood.

Where to stay

There are few things in life that beat waking up to the sound of the ocean.

Just a stone’s throw from the popular Supertubes surf spot is the upmarket Supertubes Collection guesthouse, which forms part of the Cape Country Routes Collection.

Surfers, including the legendary Mick Fanning, often stay here during surfing competitions.

The Supertubes Collection is owned and managed by Maresa Meyer who has created a relaxed atmosphere in this beautiful accommodation.

The rooms are classy and have more than enough room for my toddler to run around.

The guesthouse offers rooms with the most amazing views.

There is a deck overlooking the ocean where a full continental breakfast is served.

Hot breakfasts can also be ordered from the menu.