JEFFREYS BAY SHELL MUSEUM

The Jeffreys Bay Shell Museum was opened on 15 September 1998 to house the collection of a local Me Charlotte Kritzinger, who dedicated many years to collecting shells. Over time, this collection was further enhanced, through donations and exchanges.  A recent addition is a display of Jeffreys Bay micro shells, which is believed to be unique in the region.

The Jeffreys Bay Shell Museum has become a well-known tourist destination. Shell enthusiasts scour our beaches collecting some of our over 400 species of shells. A recent inventory has indicated that the Shell Museum hosts approximately 2 000 species from all over the world. Although the Museum started with shells from a single collection, it has now grown to be one of the largest collections in the country.

The collection is masterfully displayed in glass cabinets, with tiny mirrors and lighting giving visitors a captivating experience. Species are displayed by Family, Genus, and also include the date the shell was named, as far back as the 1600s. The Jeffreys Bay shell collection is displayed separately and also hosts a new display of 160 micro shells, some as small as 3 mm.

Douw and Elise Steyn, authors of the well-known book Sea Shells of South Africa, also wrote a little book called The Sea Shells of Jeffreys Bay. The Jeffreys Bay Shell Museum owns the rights to this must-have guide. Names were recently updated, and it also offers local names given to shells, such as donkey, false teeth, or baby toes. Hidden in the book is the name of the Jeffreys Bay Shell also found in the collection.

Beyond its expansive shell collection, the museum also showcases a growing collection of fossils. This includes a Nautilus shell, Megalodon teeth, and even an elephant tusker tooth found on the dunes at Kabeljouws Beach.

The museum features intriguing displays of sharks, whales, coastal shipwreck artefacts, the history of local fishermen, and the development of Jeffreys Bay. A particularly poignant exhibit recounts the tragic tale of the Helmspey, a British merchant ship sunk by a German U-boat off Jeffreys Bay in 1943. A bale of rubber from the Helmspey, recovered eighty years later from Aston Bay’s beach, serves as a silent witness to the historical tragedy.

The Museum is a must-see destination and has attracted a lot of media interest over the years, ensuring a footprint for local visitors or those from abroad. The Shell Museum is part of the Global Geocaching community and looks forward to your visit.

Top Tips for Visitors:

• Allow at least an hour to explore all the exhibits.
• The museum is wheelchair accessible.
• There is a small gift shop on site where you can purchase souvenirs like shells, books and crafts.
• The museum is in the heart of Jeffreys Bay, opposite the main beach, close to restaurants and shops.

Jeffreys Bay Shell Museum Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 10:00 – 15:00
Saturdays: 09:00 – 14:00
(Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays