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Best time to visit Cape Town

The best time to visit Cape Town is October–April, judged on twenty years of weather records and the events worth going for.

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

°C

mm

−10°0°10°20°30°40°
0100200300400500
  • Average daily high and low
  • Precipitation
  • Good month
  • Best month
  • Made good or best by an event
Average daily high and low temperature, average precipitation and each month's verdict
MonthAverage daily highAverage daily lowPrecipitationVerdict
January22.5 °C / 73 °F18.1 °C / 65 °F11 mm / 0.4 inbest month
February22.6 °C / 73 °F18.1 °C / 65 °F13 mm / 0.5 inbest month
March21.4 °C / 71 °F17 °C / 63 °F21 mm / 0.8 inbest month
April19.6 °C / 67 °F14.9 °C / 59 °F32 mm / 1.3 inbest month
May17.8 °C / 64 °F13.3 °C / 56 °F69 mm / 2.7 ingood month
June16.4 °C / 62 °F12.2 °C / 54 °F112 mm / 4.4 inneither best nor good
July15.7 °C / 60 °F11.3 °C / 52 °F99 mm / 3.9 inneither best nor good
August15.7 °C / 60 °F11.3 °C / 52 °F87 mm / 3.4 inneither best nor good
September16.6 °C / 62 °F12.3 °C / 54 °F46 mm / 1.8 ingood month
October18.6 °C / 65 °F14 °C / 57 °F25 mm / 1 inbest month
November19.8 °C / 68 °F15.3 °C / 60 °F31 mm / 1.2 inbest month
December21.4 °C / 71 °F17 °C / 63 °F17 mm / 0.7 inbest month
Good and best months depend on more than temperature, rain and events. How they are chosen

Each activity on this page has its own good and best months, rated on twenty years of daily weather records. Which measures count, and how much, depends on the activity: humidity for exploring outdoors, wind for the beach, hiking and skiing, snow for skiing alone. Between them, the activities are rated on:

  • Daytime highs
  • Night-time lows
  • How warm it feels
  • Humidity
  • How much of the day is sunny
  • Hours of daylight
  • Monthly rainfall
  • How many days it rains
  • Days of heavy rain
  • Wind
  • Snowfall and days with snow
  • Major events, such as festivals

The chart shows the good and best months for exploring outdoors.

The event icon marks a month that an event lifts to good or best, such as a festival or a natural spectacle. Choose “Weather only” in the toolbar to rate the months on weather alone.

Best months by activity

Exploring outdoors

Mild days and nights, mostly dry and bright. The default for 'when should I go'.

  1. JJanuary: best
  2. FFebruary: best
  3. MMarch: best
  4. AApril: best
  5. MMay: good
  6. JJune: neither
  7. JJuly: neither
  8. AAugust: neither
  9. SSeptember: good
  10. OOctober: best
  11. NNovember: best
  12. DDecember: best
Best
October–April
Good
May, September

Cape Town's dry, sunny summer from November to April is superb for exploring on foot, aside from a stiff summer wind; the wet, cloudy winter from June to August is much weaker, with May and September as milder shoulder months.

Why these months

  • January · best

    In its favour: feels like (high) 23.2 °C / 74 °F, average daily high 22.5 °C / 73 °F, precipitation 11 mm / 0.4 in, share of daylight that is sunny 96%, wet days 2.8 days, days with heavy rain 0.2 days, average daily low 18.1 °C / 65 °F, relative humidity 76%.

    Against: wind (daily max) 30 km/h / 19 mph.

    Also on: Cape Town Minstrel Carnival (Tweede Nuwe Jaar Parade), Christmas and New Year festivities, Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts, Stormers rugby season.

    Watch out for: Peak summer holiday season crowds.

  • February · best

    In its favour: feels like (high) 23.2 °C / 74 °F, average daily high 22.6 °C / 73 °F, precipitation 13 mm / 0.5 in, share of daylight that is sunny 94%, wet days 2.9 days, days with heavy rain 0.2 days, average daily low 18.1 °C / 65 °F, relative humidity 76%.

    Against: wind (daily max) 28 km/h / 18 mph.

    Also on: Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts, Stormers rugby season.

  • March · best

    In its favour: feels like (high) 21.5 °C / 71 °F, average daily high 21.4 °C / 71 °F, precipitation 21 mm / 0.8 in, share of daylight that is sunny 92%, wet days 4.2 days, days with heavy rain 0.3 days, average daily low 17 °C / 63 °F.

    Against: relative humidity 78%.

    Also on: Cape Epic mountain bike race, Cape Town Carnival, Easter-themed events, Stormers rugby season.

  • April · best

    In its favour: feels like (high) 18.7 °C / 66 °F, average daily high 19.6 °C / 67 °F, precipitation 32 mm / 1.3 in, share of daylight that is sunny 90%, wet days 4.5 days, days with heavy rain 0.9 days, average daily low 14.9 °C / 59 °F.

    Against: relative humidity 79%.

    Also on: Easter-themed events.

    Watch out for: South African school holidays (April, June-July, September).

  • May · good

    In its favour: feels like (high) 16.4 °C / 62 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 85%, average daily high 17.8 °C / 64 °F, average daily low 13.3 °C / 56 °F.

    Against: days with heavy rain 2.5 days, wet days 8 days, precipitation 69 mm / 2.7 in, sunshine per day 8.8 h, relative humidity 83%.

  • September · good

    In its favour: feels like (high) 15.1 °C / 59 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 87%, average daily high 16.6 °C / 62 °F, average daily low 12.3 °C / 54 °F.

    Against: wet days 7.8 days, days with heavy rain 1.2 days, precipitation 46 mm / 1.8 in, relative humidity 77%.

    Also on: Penguin breeding season at Boulders Beach, Whale watching season, Wildflower season.

    Watch out for: South African school holidays (April, June-July, September).

  • October · best

    In its favour: feels like (high) 17.9 °C / 64 °F, average daily high 18.6 °C / 65 °F, precipitation 25 mm / 1 in, share of daylight that is sunny 94%, wet days 5.2 days, days with heavy rain 0.5 days, average daily low 14 °C / 57 °F, relative humidity 76%.

    Against: wind (daily max) 27 km/h / 17 mph.

    Also on: Stormers rugby season, Whale watching season.

  • November · best

    In its favour: feels like (high) 19.4 °C / 67 °F, average daily high 19.8 °C / 68 °F, precipitation 31 mm / 1.2 in, share of daylight that is sunny 91%, wet days 5.4 days, days with heavy rain 0.7 days, average daily low 15.3 °C / 60 °F, relative humidity 74%.

    Against: wind (daily max) 29 km/h / 18 mph.

    Also on: Stormers rugby season, Whale watching season.

  • December · best

    In its favour: feels like (high) 21.7 °C / 71 °F, average daily high 21.4 °C / 71 °F, precipitation 17 mm / 0.7 in, share of daylight that is sunny 93%, wet days 3.6 days, days with heavy rain 0.5 days, average daily low 17 °C / 63 °F, relative humidity 75%.

    Against: wind (daily max) 29 km/h / 18 mph.

    Also on: Carols by Candlelight at Kirstenbosch, Christmas and New Year festivities, Festival of Lights, Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts, Stormers rugby season.

    Watch out for: Peak summer holiday season crowds.

Beach and swimming

Hot, dry and sunny. Penalises the monsoon hard.

  1. JJanuary: neither
  2. FFebruary: neither
  3. MMarch: neither
  4. AApril: neither
  5. MMay: neither
  6. JJune: neither
  7. JJuly: neither
  8. AAugust: neither
  9. SSeptember: neither
  10. OOctober: neither
  11. NNovember: neither
  12. DDecember: neither

No month is good for this in Cape Town.

The Atlantic-fed sea stays cold (under 16C) all year and air temperatures never reach true beach heat, so no month makes a good beach trip; summer adds a strong wind on top.

Hiking and trekking

Cool enough to climb in, dry enough to enjoy, long enough days.

  1. JJanuary: best
  2. FFebruary: best
  3. MMarch: best
  4. AApril: best
  5. MMay: good
  6. JJune: neither
  7. JJuly: neither
  8. AAugust: neither
  9. SSeptember: good
  10. OOctober: best
  11. NNovember: best
  12. DDecember: best
Best
October–April
Good
May, September

Cool, dry conditions from October to April make for excellent hiking, aside from breezy peaks in summer; the wet, short-day winter from June to August is the weakest stretch, with May and September as fair transitions.

Why these months

  • January · best

    In its favour: average daily high 22.5 °C / 73 °F, precipitation 11 mm / 0.4 in, wet days 2.8 days, days with heavy rain 0.2 days, share of daylight that is sunny 96%, daylight per day 14.1 h, feels like (high) 23.2 °C / 74 °F.

    Against: wind (daily max) 30 km/h / 19 mph, average daily low 18.1 °C / 65 °F.

    Also on: Cape Town Minstrel Carnival (Tweede Nuwe Jaar Parade), Christmas and New Year festivities, Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts, Stormers rugby season.

    Watch out for: Peak summer holiday season crowds.

  • February · best

    In its favour: average daily high 22.6 °C / 73 °F, precipitation 13 mm / 0.5 in, wet days 2.9 days, days with heavy rain 0.2 days, share of daylight that is sunny 94%, daylight per day 13.3 h, feels like (high) 23.2 °C / 74 °F.

    Against: wind (daily max) 28 km/h / 18 mph, average daily low 18.1 °C / 65 °F.

    Also on: Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts, Stormers rugby season.

  • March · best

    In its favour: average daily high 21.4 °C / 71 °F, precipitation 21 mm / 0.8 in, wet days 4.2 days, days with heavy rain 0.3 days, feels like (high) 21.5 °C / 71 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 92%, daylight per day 12.3 h, wind (daily max) 27 km/h / 17 mph, average daily low 17 °C / 63 °F.

    Also on: Cape Epic mountain bike race, Cape Town Carnival, Easter-themed events, Stormers rugby season.

  • April · best

    In its favour: average daily high 19.6 °C / 67 °F, precipitation 32 mm / 1.3 in, wet days 4.5 days, days with heavy rain 0.9 days, feels like (high) 18.7 °C / 66 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 90%, average daily low 14.9 °C / 59 °F, daylight per day 11.2 h, wind (daily max) 24 km/h / 15 mph.

    Also on: Easter-themed events.

    Watch out for: South African school holidays (April, June-July, September).

  • May · good

    In its favour: average daily high 17.8 °C / 64 °F, feels like (high) 16.4 °C / 62 °F, average daily low 13.3 °C / 56 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 85%, wind (daily max) 23 km/h / 14 mph, daylight per day 10.4 h.

    Against: days with heavy rain 2.5 days, wet days 8 days, precipitation 69 mm / 2.7 in, sunshine per day 8.8 h.

  • September · good

    In its favour: average daily high 16.6 °C / 62 °F, feels like (high) 15.1 °C / 59 °F, average daily low 12.3 °C / 54 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 87%, daylight per day 11.9 h, wind (daily max) 26 km/h / 16 mph.

    Against: wet days 7.8 days, days with heavy rain 1.2 days, precipitation 46 mm / 1.8 in.

    Also on: Penguin breeding season at Boulders Beach, Whale watching season, Wildflower season.

    Watch out for: South African school holidays (April, June-July, September).

  • October · best

    In its favour: average daily high 18.6 °C / 65 °F, precipitation 25 mm / 1 in, wet days 5.2 days, days with heavy rain 0.5 days, feels like (high) 17.9 °C / 64 °F, average daily low 14 °C / 57 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 94%, daylight per day 12.9 h.

    Against: wind (daily max) 27 km/h / 17 mph.

    Also on: Stormers rugby season, Whale watching season.

  • November · best

    In its favour: average daily high 19.8 °C / 68 °F, precipitation 31 mm / 1.2 in, wet days 5.4 days, days with heavy rain 0.7 days, feels like (high) 19.4 °C / 67 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 91%, daylight per day 13.9 h, average daily low 15.3 °C / 60 °F.

    Against: wind (daily max) 29 km/h / 18 mph.

    Also on: Stormers rugby season, Whale watching season.

  • December · best

    In its favour: average daily high 21.4 °C / 71 °F, precipitation 17 mm / 0.7 in, wet days 3.6 days, days with heavy rain 0.5 days, feels like (high) 21.7 °C / 71 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 93%, daylight per day 14.4 h.

    Against: wind (daily max) 29 km/h / 18 mph, average daily low 17 °C / 63 °F.

    Also on: Carols by Candlelight at Kirstenbosch, Christmas and New Year festivities, Festival of Lights, Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts, Stormers rugby season.

    Watch out for: Peak summer holiday season crowds.

An activity is listed only where it applies: skiing at ski destinations, beach and swimming at beach destinations. The nearest ski area is Cerro Castor, 6776 km away.

Weather averages

Monthly averages over twenty years, 2006–2025. Highs, lows and precipitation are in the chart at the top.

  JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Feels like (high) 23.2 °C23.2 °C21.5 °C18.7 °C16.4 °C14.5 °C13.6 °C13.7 °C15.1 °C17.9 °C19.4 °C21.7 °C
Days with heavy rain 0.2 days0.2 days0.3 days0.9 days2.5 days4.3 days3.4 days3.2 days1.2 days0.5 days0.7 days0.5 days
Time rain usually falls 5 am8 am10 pm4 am8 am5 am12 pm7 am8 am3 am7 am7 am
Sunshine per day 13.5 h12.5 h11.3 h10.1 h8.8 h8.3 h8.8 h9.4 h10.4 h12.1 h12.6 h13.4 h
Relative humidity 76%76%78%79%83%80%80%79%77%76%74%75%

Sea temperature

Averaged over a shorter period (2022–2025) than the twenty-year averages above.

  JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Sea temperature 2022–202514.3 °C14.3 °C15.2 °C14.1 °C14 °C13.9 °C13.8 °C14.1 °C14.2 °C14.5 °C13.9 °C14.3 °C
Sea temperature (daily max) 2022–202515 °C14.8 °C15.7 °C14.5 °C14.2 °C14.1 °C14 °C14.3 °C14.5 °C15 °C14.4 °C14.9 °C
  • Very cold 10 °C or less
  • Cold 10 to 15 °C
  • Cool 15 to 20 °C
  • Comfortable 20 to 25 °C
  • Warm 25 to 28 °C
  • Very warm over 28 °C

The words describe how the water feels to swim in. They are ours, not an official standard.

Air quality

Averaged over a shorter period (2022–2025) than the twenty-year averages above, and not counted towards good or best months.

  JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Air pollution (PM2.5) 2022–202519.9 µg/m³17.9 µg/m³19.8 µg/m³25.7 µg/m³24.6 µg/m³20.4 µg/m³16.8 µg/m³21.1 µg/m³19.3 µg/m³18.1 µg/m³17.5 µg/m³17.5 µg/m³
Air pollution (PM2.5, daily peak) 2022–202540.7 µg/m³34.4 µg/m³41.5 µg/m³58 µg/m³52.4 µg/m³39.3 µg/m³32.4 µg/m³40.2 µg/m³37.5 µg/m³36.1 µg/m³34.2 µg/m³35.4 µg/m³
  • Good 15 µg/m³ or less
  • Fair 15 to 25 µg/m³
  • Moderate 25 to 37.5 µg/m³
  • Poor 37.5 to 50 µg/m³
  • Very poor 50 to 75 µg/m³
  • Extremely poor over 75 µg/m³

Each figure is compared with the World Health Organization's guideline for a day's air, 15 µg/m³ or less, and with its interim targets above that. The words are ours: the WHO does not name its steps. The figures are modelled monthly averages, so single days can be well above them. The daily peak is the average of each day's highest hour, shaded on the same scale.

Events and seasons

What the weather records cannot show. A major event can lift a month to good or best. The warnings are there to help you plan, and never count against a month.

Reasons to go

  • Christmas and New Year festivities

    January and December

  • Cape Town Minstrel Carnival (Tweede Nuwe Jaar Parade)

    2 January

  • Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts

    January, February and December

  • Stormers rugby season

    January, February, March, October, November and December

  • Cape Town Carnival

    March

  • Easter-themed events

    March and April, dates vary from year to year

  • Cape Epic mountain bike race

    March

  • Whale watching season

    July, August, September, October and November

  • Wildflower season

    August and September

  • Penguin breeding season at Boulders Beach

    September

  • Festival of Lights

    1–7 December, dates vary from year to year

  • Carols by Candlelight at Kirstenbosch

    1–7 December, dates vary from year to year

Worth knowing before you go

  • Peak summer holiday season crowds

    16 December–16 January

  • South African school holidays (April, June-July, September)

    April, June, July and September

World Heritage sites nearby

UNESCO World Heritage sites within 25 km, nearest first.

  • Human Rights, Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites

    10 km away

  • Robben Island

    14 km away

Other places in South Africa

Compare places month by month on the travel calendar

Monthly averages over 2006–2025, unless stated otherwise.

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (CC-BY 4.0), generated using Copernicus Climate Change Service information (ERA5). City data from GeoNames (CC-BY 4.0). Air quality from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) and sea temperature from Météo-France / Copernicus Marine, both via Open-Meteo.com. Coastline from Natural Earth. Ski areas from OpenSkiMap.org, © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and Skimap.org. World Heritage sites from Wikidata (CC0), from the World Heritage List © UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Readership from Wikimedia pageview data (CC0). Destination classification derived from English Wikivoyage, © Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).