Hullets Reef (Jeffreys Bay)
- Freeride, Shortboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Medium waves
- 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Hullets Reef (also known as Leftovers) is a powerful, exposed reef break in the Jeffreys Bay surf zone. For surfing, the wave character is repeatedly described as hollow, fast, and powerful, with both left and right sections, and a classic regional feel. Sources also indicate it starts working around roughly 1.0 to 1.5 meters and can hold up to around 4 meters or more, with longer rides on good days. The reef is the main challenge: bottom conditions include reef/rocky coral and sharp stones, and hazards are consistently flagged as rocks and sharks, with localism also noted. Entry and exit can be especially tough at low tide due to sharp mussel-covered rock, and strong rip currents are mentioned as a risk during larger sets. Because the waves can become very heavy on bigger swell, the spot is generally framed as intermediate-to-advanced for those comfortable operating around reef and managing heavier, faster faces. Wind opportunities exist, especially in spring-summer. Kite wind guidance points to East, East-Southeast, and Southeast directions, with best months listed as April through August. Where wind aligns offshore, it can help groom the reef faces for more controlled riding. For kite specifically, recommended kite sizes are typically in the 7 to 11 range and the spot is described as challenging due to the surrounding rocks and wave power. Seasonally, multiple sources emphasize October as a highlighted month for surf conditions, while broader seasonal summaries for the region point to winter months (May to September) as the most consistent swell and wind window. Wetsuits are recommended, and spring wetsuit guidance is repeatedly mentioned; a thicker winter option is also described in regional context. Overall, the spot is highly regarded but demands respect for local etiquette and careful reef hazard management.
- Hollow, fast, powerful reef surf with both left and right waves
- Kitesurfing works with East to ESE to SE winds (April to August)
- Hazards: sharp reef rocks, coral, and sharks; localism risk
- Fast, hollow, powerful reef waves with both left and right options
- Works across a wide part of the year with consistent reef surf described by multiple sources
- Wind spot potential in spring-summer with East to ESE to SE winds
- Significant hazards from sharp reef rocks/coral and sharks
- Strong currents can occur, especially on larger swells
- Localism and exposed conditions require experience and good etiquette
- Access and exit can be difficult and rough on sharp rock at low tide
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, ESE, SE
- Offshore directions
- N, NNE, NE, ENE, NW, WNW, W
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Providers describe frequent East–ESE–SE winds for kite; region context also notes Easterly/South-Easterly sea-breeze behavior in summer.
- Reliability
- moderate
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- April, May, June, July, August
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–11 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Medium waves
- Beach
- Reef — Reef-rocky bottom with sand and coral/sharp rocks mentioned.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Surf starts around 1.0 to 1.5m and can build to 4m+; sources differ on the general category.
- Launch
- Small — Small sandy area with surrounding rocky reef sections.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Rocky launch and breaking waves can make access more difficult, particularly for kites/foilers.
Through the year
Peak swell events in October and winter can get quite busy.
Winter months are most prone to frontal storms; rain is possible throughout the year with slightly higher chances in spring and autumn.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A wave-riding kitesurfing spot that works in spring-summer with East to ESE to SE winds; rocky proximity and wave power make it more suitable for experienced riders.
- Kite Sizes
- 7–11 m²
Possible beyond the reef break in deeper sections, but the rocky launch and breaking waves make it difficult for beginners.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited
- Min Depth
- 1.5m
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Exposed reef break with both lefts and rights; the right-hand wave is described as a fast/powerful wall, while the Leftovers left tends to be shorter but hollow.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- SE, SSE, SW, S
- Swell Height
- 1–4 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid — Also described as working around mid to high / rising tide.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed reef with limited natural shelter from wind and swell.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore grooming is best when winds align as offshore; winds can change how clean/fast the reef faces run.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well up to around 4 meters, becoming very heavy and challenging.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Regional classic / high-quality reef break.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Hollow, fast, powerful reef waves.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Long — Good day length: 150-300m; normal length: 50-150m.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Waves typically run for 50 to 150 meters, occasionally reaching 300 meters on exceptional days; a good day length is 150 to 300 meters.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Hullets Reef (Jeffreys Bay) in the full forecast view.
Hullets Reef (Jeffreys Bay) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–14 ktsGusts 26 kts
- Direction
- SE144°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2714 kts
- Windy days
- 5/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–1.7 m8s period
- Temperature
- 15–23 °C
Over the next 7 days, Hullets Reef (Jeffreys Bay) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 26 kts. The prevailing direction is SE. Waves run 0.8–1.7 m with a period of about 8s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
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
- Sharp rocks
- Coral
- Reef
- Strong rip currents possible (especially during large swells)
- Localism
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional context indicates rescue availability for the bay/coast via NSRI; spot-level providers state no rescue availability.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest medical facilities are in Jeffreys Bay town center; South Africa emergency number is 112 from mobile phones (nearest major medical facilities in Jeffreys Bay ~20 km or Humansdorp ~15 km).
- Localism / Vibe
- Moderate
Rules of the spot
Respect local surf etiquette strictly; hazards are significant (reef rocks, sharks, and localism).
- Avoid unsafe conditions on exposed reef when you cannot confidently manage heavy waves and strong currents.
- Use extreme care for access/entry over sharp reef when tides are low.
- Rocks can be especially sharp due to mussels growing on them—cutting feet, wetsuit, and fins is pretty normal.
- Water temperature isn’t too cold, but serious wind chill can occur—use decent rubber.
- Keep a sharp eye out for submerged rocks during low tide.
- The left-hand wave is often less crowded than the right-hander.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Jeffreys Bay
- Nearest Town
- Jeffreys Bay
- Parking
- Limited roadside parking or small designated lots nearby.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English, Afrikaans, Xhosa
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Numerous guesthouses and surf camps in Jeffreys Bay.
- Food & Drink
- Various restaurants and cafes located a short drive or walk away in town.
- Equipment Rental:
- Equipment rental is available via local schools and surf shops in Jeffreys Bay.
- Gear Storage
- Some schools and surf-focused lodges in the wider area offer gear storage (regional context).
- Gear Repair
- Surfboard and kite repair services available in the Jeffreys Bay area.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Hullets Reef (Jeffreys Bay)?
The best overall months at Hullets Reef (Jeffreys Bay) are May, June, July, August, September. The best wind months are April, May, June, July, August.
Which wind directions work at Hullets Reef (Jeffreys Bay)?
Hullets Reef (Jeffreys Bay) works with E, ESE, SE winds. Offshore directions are N, NNE, NE, ENE, NW, WNW, W.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Hullets Reef (Jeffreys Bay)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Hullets Reef (Jeffreys Bay): Kitesurfing: 7–11 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–25 kts.
What skill level is Hullets Reef (Jeffreys Bay) suitable for?
Hullets Reef (Jeffreys Bay) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate to Advanced · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate to Advanced.