Boneyards 2 (Jeffreys Bay)

Shortboard, Advanced riders
Best for
Intermediate to Advanced
Skill Level
Swell
Spot Type
Busy
Crowd Level

This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.

About this spot

About

Boneyards 2 is an exposed reef break in Jeffreys Bay where the wave is described as fast, shallow, and capable of producing hollow barrels. Sources emphasize that it’s a high-performance section that can be particularly intense when the reef is less exposed and the swell and wind line up. For surf quality, southwest winds are reported as perfectly offshore, helping groom the wave face and hold open the barrel. The spot is also described as fast and more intense than surrounding sections, with a hollow shape and a peel speed suited to powerful, committed riding. Tide management is a key safety and performance factor. The reef is very shallow and hazards are primarily the rocks/shallow reef—especially at lower tides. Tips focus on surfing on a pushing high tide and avoiding low-tide conditions when the reef becomes dangerously exposed; paddle out carefully from the gully to minimize time and risk near the most jagged rocks. Overall suitability skews toward surfers who can handle a demanding reef environment (intermediate up to advanced). Hazards include rocks and sharks, and local etiquette is stressed due to the high-performance nature of the wave. Crowd levels can increase during peak swell events and competitions, so respectful behavior and situational awareness are important.

  • Exposed reef break with hollow barrels
  • Southwest winds described as perfectly offshore
  • Key hazards: shallow reef, sharp rocks, sharks
Great for
Surfing shortboardAdvanced riders
What's great
  • High-performance, hollow point section with excellent wave quality when conditions align.
  • Offshore southwest winds are described as grooming and barrel-holding.
  • Works in a season with consistent swells; intermediate-to-advanced level surfing is emphasized.
Heads up
  • Very shallow reef with sharp rocks (especially at lower tides).
  • Can be crowded during peak swell events and competitions.
  • Moderate localism.
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Practical spot guide

Wind, water and seasons

Wind

Direction
SW, WSW
Offshore directions
SW
Wind Range
10–25 kts
Wind Type
Gradient — Regional winds described as thermal/sea-breeze driven; spot-level winds provided as a gradient pattern by at least one enrichment source.
Reliability
moderate
Gust Factor
Light gusts
Best Months
May, June, July, August
Shadow Zones
High dunes can provide some shelter from light cross-shore winds.

Water & beach

Water Type
Swell
Beach
Mixed — Mixed composition with reef-dominated access/entries.
Beach Size
Small
Waves
Medium
Launch
Medium — Rocky shoreline with limited sandy patches for entry.
Launch Difficulty
Difficult — Rocky shoreline entry with limited sandy patches and frequent shallow reef hazards.

Through the year

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
12–25 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
May–Aug: 4/3mm to 5/3mmJan, Feb, Mar: 3/2mmSep–Dec: 3/2mm or 4/3mm
Crowds by Season

Can become very crowded during peak swell events and surf competitions.

Storm/Rain Season

Rain can occur year-round but is more frequent in spring and autumn (regional + enrichment note).

By sport

What to expect for each.

SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed reef break in Jeffreys Bay known for left and right-hand waves. The spot is described as a fast, shallow, high-performance point section with hollow barrels when conditions line up.

Reef break
Wave Direction
Right
Optimal Swell
SW, SSW
Swell Height
1–3 m
Optimal Tide
High, Mid — Sources emphasize high tide (with another enrichment source indicating mid tide as a working condition).
Shelter
Exposed — Exposed reef break.
Wind Effect
Southwest winds are perfectly offshore, grooming the face and holding open the barrel.
Bigger Swell
Handles significant size but can get increasingly heavy and dangerous as the reef becomes shallower with more water moving.
Wave Quality
Excellent
Wave Power
Powerful
Wave Shape
Hollow
Peel Speed
Fast
Ride Length
Short — Typically shorter, more intense rides before sectioning or transitioning into the wider point-broken line.
Typical Ride Length
50–150 m
Ride Length Details
Typical rides are often described as intense and shorter than the longest stretches of the overall J-Bay point line.
Forecast

Check the forecast before you go

See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Boneyards 2 (Jeffreys Bay) in the full forecast view.

Boneyards 2 (Jeffreys Bay) wind and wave forecast summary

Wind
2–13 ktsGusts 25 kts
Direction
SSE149°
Strongest day
Mon, Oct 2613 kts
Windy days
3/712 kts or more
Waves
1.1–2.2 m8s period
Temperature
14–25 °C

Over the next 7 days, Boneyards 2 (Jeffreys Bay) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–13 kts, peaking around 13 kts on Monday, October 26 with gusts to 25 kts. The prevailing direction is SSE. Waves run 1.1–2.2 m with a period of about 8s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

What to know before you launch

Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.

Hazards

  • rocks
  • sharks
  • shallow reef
  • strong currents
Ability Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Recommended Safety Gear
WetsuitLeashBoots

Rescue & support

Rescue & Self-Rescue
Yes — Regional context reports 24/7 NSRI emergency response based in Jeffreys Bay.
Emergency Info
Emergency services are available in the nearby town of Jeffrey's Bay. General emergency number: 112 (regional note).
Localism / Vibe
Moderate — Localism is noted at a moderate level.

Rules of the spot

Strict surf etiquette is expected due to the high-performance nature of the wave.

Local Tips
  • Avoid surfing at low tide when the reef is dangerously exposed.
  • Paddle out from the gully carefully to avoid the most jagged rocks.
  • Be cautious of local conditions: the reef is very shallow and is best approached on a pushing high tide to reduce exposure risk.

Getting there & access

Nearest City
Port Elizabeth
Nearest Town
Jeffrey's Bay
Nearest Airport
Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ) (~75 km)
Parking
Limited street parking is available in the residential areas near the access paths.
Public Transport
Intercity buses connect to major hubs; local travel is best done via car rental or private shuttle (limited local public transport).
Access
Access is via public walkways at the northern end of Jeffreys Bay, typically near the Supertubes park area.
Cost Level
Moderate
Local Language
English, Afrikaans, Xhosa
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Accommodation
Nearby town — Numerous guesthouses, surf lodges, and hotels are available within walking distance in Jeffrey's Bay.
Food & Drink
A variety of cafes and restaurants are located within a short drive or moderate walk toward the town center.
Equipment Rental:
Surf shops in Jeffrey's Bay offer high-performance board rentals.
Gear Storage
Yes
Gear Repair
Local surf shops provide professional board repair services.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

Latest reported conditions

Spot questions

Frequently asked questions

When is the best season at Boneyards 2 (Jeffreys Bay)?

The best overall months at Boneyards 2 (Jeffreys Bay) are May, June, July, August.

Which wind directions work at Boneyards 2 (Jeffreys Bay)?

Boneyards 2 (Jeffreys Bay) works with SW, WSW winds. Offshore directions are SW.

What skill level is Boneyards 2 (Jeffreys Bay) suitable for?

Boneyards 2 (Jeffreys Bay) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.