Jeffreys Bay


One of the most memorable places we've been to is the east coast of South Africa. Unlike the dry and windy west coast, the east coast is almost sub-tropical - the further east you go the warmer the water and air temperatures.

At the time of our trip to the East Coast, we planned most of our activity around the Port Elizabeth area. We had some good days, but unfortunately we ran into a bad patch of overcast and windless days - which forced us to go and look for wind in other places.

On one such day we headed in the direction of the legendary surf town, Jeffreys Bay. We were actually hoping to find some clear skies and surf, instead we found steady wind and a really awesome spot to kite - in fact we enjoyed it so much that we decided to spend a good number of days kiting Jeffreys.

The beach we kited in J-Bay is called Paradise Beach. To get there you must turn right just before you enter Jeffreys Bay and drive for about 12 km's.

During the days we kited there we only ran into two windsurfers and one local kiter. This place is so untouched that Riaan, the local kiter, encouraged us to promote the spot on iKiteboarding as they are looking for people to kite with.

Jeffreys bay has plenty to offer besides kiting. If you do manage to find a windless day, there's plenty of places to surf. We didn't find much surf - according to the locals January till March doesn't offer much surf, and the winter months offers the best surf. Be sure to visit the Billabong and Quicksilver factory shops where you can buy clothes at half price or less.

Every day we spent in J-Bay was windy. The easterly wind blows cross on - and blew in the region of 16 to 20 knots on a daily basis. It is possible to kite in Jeffreys Bay main beach, but it usually blows straight onshore there.

Jeffreys bay is definitely one of the better places we have kited on the East Coast of South Africa. We were sad to leave it, but we will definitely be spending some more time there soon.

Article Comments: (Add Comments)

And I thought jefferys was just good for surfing...

mad kiteboarder

don't think you could kite super tubes ... it is in a tricky place to get any clean wind. maybe on an cross off

quinton

Don't think it is a good idea to kite Supers on a SW as you will encounter some serious problems with the Locals there , they have been surfing that spot for so long now and I am sure they don't want some guy flying past them @ 100 KPH . Rather stick to Kitchen Windows , Magna Tubes and Paradise beach .

spowy

Hi Carlos, if you enjoyed the easterlys at Paradise you have to come back for some southwest wave action (had 4ft yesterday). I think supers is defnitly surfable on a Southerly it will blow totaly down the line but yes you will defnitly have to have a get-away car ready because the JBU will be after you. Maybe rather stick to Kitchens and Fantoms for crossshore wave riding on the southerly at mainbeach, even Magnas work. O and it its Rudi not Riaan. Hope to see you agian soon.

Jbay

Coming to Jbay in May just wondering what the wind is like that time of year .8 , 12m? can probably leave my sixteen at home.What is the kiteboard scene like there and is paradise beach the only spot.

redfox

Hi,
I stay and windsurf in paradise beach for 11 years. I am also kiting in conditions when windsurfing doesn't work.
Im glad you see Paradise with realistic eyes and also that you respect the surfers at Supers.
There is realy no need to kite there. south is even too protected and uyou only get washed.

Kiting is safe in summer as the wind is sideshore or cross onshore.
In winter, the east, which is the onshore wind blows seldom and the south west becomes a cross offshore west wind.
It can be big but it's unsafe for kiting. There are currents which pull you out.
No matter if summer or winter, the wind has its characteristics of coming and going.
I saw a guy dropping his kite and losing it because he went out too late.
He had a long swimm and the NSRI was alarmed.

Arno

wow I knew there had to be some thoughts of kiting Jbay...Ive had the pleasure of going there for the last few years..Every one knows there are days when Yes even supers is blown out...There are still a few good waves coming in...Making one wave from supers through tubes down to the point Sounds pretty good to me!!!! Maybe this winter aloha

fla boy