Jeffreys Bay – Supertubes
Jeffreys Bay, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Sports: Surfing, Tow foiling
Best time to go: June–September
Supertubes is the most famous section of the long right-hand point at Jeffreys Bay, on the Eastern Cape coast of South Africa west of Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha). Groundswells generated by Southern Ocean storms arrive from the south-west and peel along a rocky, boulder-strewn reef in long, fast and often hollow walls, with several sections that can connect on the right swell. Westerly and north-westerly winds blow offshore, and the best season runs from about May to September.
The wave is fast and powerful, and best suited to advanced surfers; other sections up and down the point, such as the beach-break areas further along, are friendlier. Paddling out from the rocks needs care with timing, and the rocks are slippery at low tide. The water is cold in winter, so a full wetsuit is needed. Great white sharks are present along this coast, so surf with others and follow local advice. The line-up is crowded with skilled locals and travellers, and wave priority is respected.
Month by month at Jeffreys Bay – Supertubes
- January: 15 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 13 knots, waves 2.7 m, water 21°C, air 26°C (nights 18°C), 27 sunny days, 5 rainy days
- February: 16 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 13 knots, waves 2.7 m, water 20°C, air 26°C (nights 18°C), 24 sunny days, 7 rainy days
- March: 15 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 2.8 m, water 20°C, air 25°C (nights 17°C), 28 sunny days, 6 rainy days
- April: 13 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 3.1 m, water 18°C, air 23°C (nights 14°C), 25 sunny days, 7 rainy days
- May: 11 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 3.4 m, water 18°C, air 22°C (nights 12°C), 27 sunny days, 6 rainy days
- June: 10 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 10 knots, waves 3.6 m, water 17°C, air 20°C (nights 11°C), 25 sunny days, 6 rainy days
- July: 11 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 11 knots, waves 3.7 m, water 17°C, air 19°C (nights 9°C), 29 sunny days, 7 rainy days
- August: 13 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 3.8 m, water 16°C, air 20°C (nights 10°C), 29 sunny days, 5 rainy days
- September: 15 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 12 knots, waves 3.6 m, water 17°C, air 20°C (nights 12°C), 25 sunny days, 8 rainy days
- October: 19 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 14 knots, waves 3.1 m, water 18°C, air 22°C (nights 13°C), 27 sunny days, 9 rainy days
- November: 17 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 14 knots, waves 2.8 m, water 19°C, air 23°C (nights 15°C), 28 sunny days, 5 rainy days
- December: 18 windy days (15+ knots), average wind 14 knots, waves 2.8 m, water 20°C, air 25°C (nights 16°C), 29 sunny days, 7 rainy days
When is the best time to go surfing & tow foiling at Jeffreys Bay – Supertubes?
June–September, when the waves are biggest.
How warm is the water at Jeffreys Bay – Supertubes?
16°C to 21°C over the year: a 3/2 full suit in the warmest month, a 4/3 full suit in the coolest.
How windy is Jeffreys Bay – Supertubes?
About 173 days a year with at least 2 hours of 15+ knots in the daytime, most in October.
Figures from 5 years of weather data (Open-Meteo).
More: All spots in South Africa · Surfing in South Africa · Tow foiling in South Africa
Compare with: Jeffreys Bay – Supertubes vs Muizenberg · Bloubergstrand vs Jeffreys Bay – Supertubes