Review: Step onto the beach from Supertubes in Jeff reys Bay

Step onto the beach

from Supertubes in Jeffreys Bay

By Di Brown, Roaming Giraff e Cape Country Routes

Jeff reys Bay in the Eastern Cape is best known as a top surf spot. It is home to the perfect wave, the longest right-hand point break on the planet, and more than that it is the perfect place for a family holiday – there’s so much to do, and so much to see for every age.

Supertubes Guest House, a Cape Country Routes member is a luxury guesthouse a few steps from the beach overlooking this legendary surf spot making it a superb base for exploring this coastal town. J-Bay as it is known colloquially, is situated 75 kilometres west of Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and 160 kilometres east of Plettenberg Bay on the Garden Route. J-Bay beach life

Dolphin Beach has been awarded Blue Flag status, making it the fi rst choice for swimmers but Magna Tubes and Kabeljous are also safe beaches for frolicking in the surf, fi shing or chilling on the sands.

Supertubes Beach is great for walking, exploring the rock pools and marveling at the mad surfi ng skills of those who are way beyond beginner status.

For a great work-out walking on sand – there is about 20 kilometres of continuous beach, starting at the mouth of the Seekoei River and ending at the Gamtoos River Mouth. The walk passes a variety of landscapes

including rock pools, dunes, the Kabeljou River mouth, wetlands, and aloes.

Noorsekloof Nature Reserve

The tranquility of nature is no further than a short walk from the urban landscapes in J-Bay. The Noorsekloof Nature Reserve is a prime example. This 28 hectare reserve is in the heart of suburbia, but within minutes of leaving the pavement behind and navigating the narrow path down into the gorge, the sounds of the manmade world are silenced, and nature takes over. The crackle of leaves underfoot, the rustle of branches as you duck and weave past tangled foliage, thorny saplings, and plump succulents.

Following the stream that runs through the reserve our guide calls us to a halt and tells us to sit. Moss covered rocks make for cool seats, and led by our guide, we sit quietly and tune in to our surroundings. The evocative scent of damp earth, the soothing sounds of water over rocks, a flash of colour as a bird flies past us. Over 50 species of bird inhabit this tiny green lung, including the Knysna Woodpecker, Knysna Loerie and the Paradise Flycatcher. This three kilometre walk is an unexpected delight. Ask for a local guide to fully appreciate this tiny reserve that is being maintained by the locals.

Paddle out

The adventurous can get surf lessons and paddle out into the breakers or you can choose a gentler paddle with All Africa Adventures and explore the lagoon by kayak in the Kabeljou Nature Reserve starting at the river mouth. Prolific birdlife includes flamingoes, but keep your eyes peeled. Bushbuck, duiker, caracul, grysbok and mongoose can all be seen here. There are also short walking options around the reserve. In parts the lagoon is shallow so be prepared to jump out of the kayak from time to time and give a push as your feet sink into the squelchy mud. Water shoes are recommended.

J-Bay is a celebration of the outdoors, and All Africa Adventure Tours offer pretty much anything you can dream up, including sand boarding on the dunes, horse rides, surf lessons, SUP, fat bikes and day trips to surrounding nature and adrenalin attractions. (www.allafricaadventures.com)

All things food

Lunch at the artisan family eatery JBay Bru Co, a cool hang out place, ‘home away from home’ gives you an authentic J-Bay experience. It’s laidback, pretty and easy going and caters for the entire family. There’s a play area for the kids, a craft beer garden for the ‘youngsters,’ a formal area with antique furnishings for the oldsters, and water bowls for the four legged family members. (www. jbaybru.co.za)

Dinner at the beach side Walskipper is obligatory when in J-Bay. It’s an unpretentious spot where you can sit with your feet in the sand and enjoy real food cooked on open fires and always served with a friendly word and a huge smile.

Also on the beach, with gorgeous views Kitchen Windows is great for sundowners and dinner. Food served here is fresh, healthy and wholesome

– they try to use organically grown foods when possible, nothing is prepared in bulk or ready-made, it’s all made on order.(www.kitchenwindows. co.za)

A tuk-tuk tour of the town revealed numerous coff ee spots, pizza places, pubs and restaurants so you are bound to fi nd something to suit your taste, that sea air certainly generates an appetite. (www.rikshatours.com)

Wearable mementos

The J-Bay Surf Village is a shoppers dream and where you will fi nd brands like Rip Curl, Billabong, Jeep, Quicksilver and more. So, if you are looking for a new costume, funky t-shirt, hoodie or casual wear, head to the village, there are even some factory shops for the bargain hunters. Coff ee shops and pubs abound if you need to refuel before diving back into the changing rooms and end of range rails.

Accommodation options at Supertubes Guest House

The Supertubes Collection consists of three properties with beautifully styled, en-suite luxury and standard rooms, plus two self-catering apartments that share a large, grassed area and a wooden boardwalk onto Supertubes Beach.

The Guest House has four rooms upstairs with private balconies and stunning sea-views, and two downstairs rooms which open up onto the garden. There is a full kitchen and a braai area with a fantastic indoor, outdoor fl ow for beach living at its best.

The Self-Catering Guest House has fi ve en-suite rooms with magnifi cent sea views from the three luxury rooms equipped with added extras to ensure a comfortable stay. A full open plan kitchen, comfortable lounge and a bar area overlooking the famous Supertubes Beach,

The Supertubes Apartment consists of three en-suite rooms each with a bar fridge, air conditioning and tea tray. A fully equipped kitchen with washing machine, tumble drier and dish-washer, a double garage, hot outdoor shower, and a garden with barbeque facilities.

www.capecountryroutes.com

win! You stand the chance of winning a midweek break for two a getaway valued at R4 300 people sharing people sharing a sea-facing room at Supertubes Guest House in Jeffreys Bay, breakfast included.

TO ENTER:

Scan the QR code with your phone or fill in the entry form for Supertubes Guest House at mediaxpose.co.za/6-rove-sa-competitions.