Some dreams sneak up on you

Some dreams sneak up on you. Others hit you on the N1 highway with a broken trailer light, a load wrapped in a torn tarp, and two furry co-pilots happily drooling out the window.

Let’s just say… ours involved a little of both.

Where It All Began

Jeffreys Bay has always held a special place in my heart. My mother was born in Humansdorp, just down the road, so this stretch of coast was our regular family getaway. As a kid, J-Bay meant sea air, barefoot walks, and carefree holiday magic.

Now, as an adult, nothing’s changed — except now, I travel with more luggage and a few extra paw prints.

On one trip, it was me, my partner AJ, his sister Nolene, and her husband Matau all road-tripping down to J-Bay. Somewhere around Colesberg, the daydreams started: “Imagine owning a place here… something just for us.”

By the time we arrived, kicked off our shoes, and wandered the streets of Jeffreys Bay barefoot, that dream felt oddly close. The breeze was gentle, the town relaxed, and we were already imagining morning coffees on a stoep that didn’t belong to anyone else but us.

One Conversation Changed Everything

That same evening, my uncle — who lives in Jeffreys Bay — casually mentioned: “I’m actually thinking of selling my house.”

That was it. No long back-and-forth. We made an offer, and the dream became reality faster than you can say “beachfront.”

The Most Chaotic (and Hilarious) Move of Our Lives

Once the papers were signed, it was time to make the house a home. We wanted the place to feel special — welcoming, warm, and ready for anyone (two-legged or four-legged) to relax in.

So, we started loading up in Pretoria: furniture, cutlery, curtains — you name it. Everything except the beds, which we planned to buy in J-Bay. We piled it all into a trailer that looked questionable at best, and hit the road.

First, the trailer lights gave up somewhere near Johannesburg. Then the cover started tearing. The 12-hour trip turned into 16 hours of stressful driving, regular “check if the tarp is still there” stops, and holding thumbs that no potplants flew off.

We looked like we were moving to Zimbabwe. Even strangers at petrol stations gave us “Shame, hey?” looks.

Sleeping on the Floor — and Laughing About It

We bought the beds locally in J-Bay, but due to delivery delays, we ended up sleeping on the floor for the first three nights.

No beds. Just tired bodies, blow-up mattresses, and the sound of waves in the background. Strangely enough, it felt perfect — like the start of something big.

We Go Nowhere Without Our Pets

Here’s the thing: we’re not just holidaymakers. We’re pet people.

We go nowhere without our furry babies. They’re part of the family. Once, we even snuck them into a no-pets-allowed rental — only to get caught and fined. Worth every cent!

We know how incredibly hard it is to find a beautiful, clean, high-quality pet-friendly holiday home — one that doesn’t feel like you’re staying in the “budget kennel” just because you brought your dog along.

That’s why we designed Barefoot Dreams with pets in mind.

What Makes Barefoot Dreams Pet-Friendly:

  • A doggy door leading to a fully enclosed back garden
  • Pet-friendly alarm zones so your dogs can chill while you go to town
  • Hard floors and easy-clean furniture that still feels plush and stylish
  • Space for water bowls, leashes, and wagging tails
  • And of course… the beach is just 500m away. Dog heaven!

Why “Barefoot Dreams”?

Because that’s exactly how it started — walking barefoot through J-Bay, daydreaming about this life.

This town has a special magic to it. It’s more than just a surf destination. It’s a place of peace, inspiration, and spontaneous dreams-come-true. And we wanted to capture that in both name and spirit.

Come and Stay – Two Legs or Four

Barefoot Dreams isn’t just a holiday unit. It’s a story, a memory, and a heartfelt welcome. Whether you’re a surfer, a family, a couple, or someone who packs more dog food than snacks — we’ve created a space just for you.

We’re still upgrading, still growing, and still laughing at how it all started — with a chaotic trailer ride, three nights on the floor, and a whole lot of love.

We can’t wait to welcome you (and your pets!) to the Town of Dreams.