When is the best time to go to Cape Town

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The chart above shows the best time of year to visit Cape Town, South Africa. These are based on an analysis of weather averages such as temperature, rainfall and number of hours of sunshine. These ratings are based solely on the climate and do not take into account other factors such as accommodation prices and how busy it is likely to be.

Average temperatures in Cape Town

Cape Town weather by month

Please note our recommendations for when to visit Cape Town are based solely on the weather and do not take into accounts accommodation prices, how busy it will be and what events are on.

January

Cape Town January weather averages
Temp Rain Sunshine Day length Sea temp
22°C 32mm 11.6hrs 15hrs 19°C

Warm and reasonably dry weather often prevails in Cape Town during the month of January

It is perhaps the perfect month to visit Cape Town, with some inordinately good weather at this time of year.

January is in the summer in Cape Town and is typically the coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around 25°C (77°F), whilst at night 15°C (59°F) is normal.

On average January is the driest month of the year in Cape Town with around 32mm 1.3 inches of rain making it a reasonably dry time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 5 days, although this may vary considerably.

On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 11.6 hours of sunshine per day.

Cape Town weather in January »

February

Cape Town February weather averages
Temp Rain Sunshine Day length Sea temp
23°C 31mm 11hrs 14.2hrs 19°C

February in Cape Town is generally reasonably dry with the temperature being warm.

It is perhaps the perfect month to visit Cape Town, with some inordinately good weather at this time of year.

February is in the summer in Cape Town and is typically the 2nd coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around 25°C (77°F), whilst at night 15°C (59°F) is normal.

On average February is the 2nd driest month of the year in Cape Town with around 31mm 1.2 inches of rain making it a reasonably dry time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 4 days, although this may vary considerably.

On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 11 hours of sunshine per day.

Cape Town weather in February »

March

Cape Town March weather averages
Temp Rain Sunshine Day length Sea temp
22°C 43mm 9.8hrs 13.2hrs 19°C

The weather in March in Cape Town is characteristically warm and reasonably dry.

It is perhaps the perfect month to visit Cape Town, with some extremely good weather at this time of year.

March is in the fall / autumn in Cape Town and is typically the 3rd coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around 24°C (75°F), whilst at night 14°C (57°F) is normal.

On average March is the 3rd driest month of the year in Cape Town with around 43mm 1.7 inches of rain making it a reasonably dry time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 5 days, although this may vary considerably.

On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 9.8 hours of sunshine per day.

Cape Town weather in March »

April

Cape Town April weather averages
Temp Rain Sunshine Day length Sea temp
20°C 82mm 8hrs 12.1hrs 17°C

Cape Town's weather in April is typically mild and a little damp in nature.

It is perhaps a good month to visit Cape Town, with some extremely good weather at this time of year.

April is in the fall / autumn in Cape Town and is typically the 4th coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around 22°C (71°F), whilst at night 12°C (54°F) is normal.

On average April is the 4th driest month of the year in Cape Town with around 82mm 3.2 inches of rain making it a a little damp time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 8 days, although this may vary considerably.

On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 8 hours of sunshine per day.

Cape Town weather in April »

May

Cape Town May weather averages
Temp Rain Sunshine Day length Sea temp
17°C 136mm 6.7hrs 11.3hrs 16°C

May is a wet month in Cape Town and the temperature is generally mild.

Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Cape Town for your holidays. The weather is often not a good and not conducive to spending time outdoors.

May is in the fall / autumn in Cape Town and is typically the 5th coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around 19°C (67°F), whilst at night 10°C (50°F) is normal.

On average May is the 5th driest month of the year in Cape Town with around 136mm 5.4 inches of rain making it a wet time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 12 days, although this may vary considerably.

On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 6.7 hours of sunshine per day.

Cape Town weather in May »

June

Cape Town June weather averages
Temp Rain Sunshine Day length Sea temp
15°C 189mm 5.9hrs 15hrs 16°C

Mild and wet weather often prevails in Cape Town during the month of June

Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Cape Town for your holidays. The weather is often not a good and not conducive to spending time outdoors.

June is in the winter in Cape Town and is typically the 6th coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 17°C (63°F), whilst at night 9°C (47°F) is normal.

On average June is the 6th driest month of the year in Cape Town with around 189mm 7.4 inches of rain making it a wet time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 13 days, although this may vary considerably.

On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 5.9 hours of sunshine per day.

Cape Town weather in June »

July

Cape Town July weather averages
Temp Rain Sunshine Day length Sea temp
15°C 164mm 6.4hrs 14.2hrs 15°C

July in Cape Town is generally wet with the temperature being mild.

Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Cape Town for your holidays. The weather is often pretty bad and not conducive to spending time outdoors.

July is in the winter in Cape Town and is typically the 6th warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 17°C (62°F), whilst at night 8°C (46°F) is normal.

On average July is the 6th wettest month of the year in Cape Town with around 164mm 6.5 inches of rain making it a wet time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 13 days, although this may vary considerably.

On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 6.4 hours of sunshine per day.

Cape Town weather in July »

August

Cape Town August weather averages
Temp Rain Sunshine Day length Sea temp
15°C 163mm 7hrs 13.2hrs 15°C

The weather in August in Cape Town is characteristically mild and wet.

Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Cape Town for your holidays. The weather is often not a good and not conducive to spending time outdoors.

August is in the winter in Cape Town and is typically the 5th warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 17°C (62°F), whilst at night 8°C (47°F) is normal.

On average August is the 5th wettest month of the year in Cape Town with around 163mm 6.4 inches of rain making it a wet time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 14 days, although this may vary considerably.

On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 7 hours of sunshine per day.

Cape Town weather in August »

September

Cape Town September weather averages
Temp Rain Sunshine Day length Sea temp
16°C 96mm 7.8hrs 12.1hrs 15°C

Cape Town's weather in September is typically mild and a little damp in nature.

Although outside the main holiday season, there is still plenty of quite acceptable weather around this time of year. This makes it an okay time to visit Cape Town.

September is in the spring in Cape Town and is typically the 4th warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around 18°C (65°F), whilst at night 9°C (48°F) is normal.

On average September is the 4th wettest month of the year in Cape Town with around 96mm 3.8 inches of rain making it a a little damp time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 11 days, although this may vary considerably.

On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 7.8 hours of sunshine per day.

Cape Town weather in September »

October

Cape Town October weather averages
Temp Rain Sunshine Day length Sea temp
18°C 61mm 9.2hrs 11.3hrs 16°C

October is a reasonably dry month in Cape Town and the temperature is generally mild.

Although outside the main holiday season, there is still plenty of relatively acceptable weather around this time of year. This makes it an okay time to visit Cape Town.

October is in the spring in Cape Town and is typically the 3rd warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around 20°C (68°F), whilst at night 10°C (51°F) is normal.

On average October is the 3rd wettest month of the year in Cape Town with around 61mm 2.4 inches of rain making it a reasonably dry time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 9 days, although this may vary considerably.

On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 9.2 hours of sunshine per day.

Cape Town weather in October »

November

Cape Town November weather averages
Temp Rain Sunshine Day length Sea temp
20°C 40mm 10.6hrs 15hrs 17°C

November is a reasonably dry month in Cape Town and the temperature is generally mild.

It is perhaps the perfect month to visit Cape Town, with some inordinately good weather at this time of year.

November is in the spring in Cape Town and is typically the 2nd warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around 22°C (72°F), whilst at night 12°C (54°F) is normal.

On average November is the 2nd wettest month of the year in Cape Town with around 40mm 1.6 inches of rain making it a reasonably dry time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 6 days, although this may vary considerably.

On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 10.6 hours of sunshine per day.

Cape Town weather in November »

December

Cape Town December weather averages
Temp Rain Sunshine Day length Sea temp
21°C 43mm 11.3hrs 14.2hrs 19°C

December in Cape Town is generally reasonably dry with the temperature being warm.

It is perhaps the perfect month to visit Cape Town, with some surprisingly good weather at this time of year.

December is in the summer in Cape Town and is typically the warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around 24°C (74°F), whilst at night 14°C (57°F) is normal.

On average December is the wettest month of the year in Cape Town with around 43mm 1.7 inches of rain making it a reasonably dry time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 6 days, although this may vary considerably.

On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 11.3 hours of sunshine per day.

Cape Town weather in December »

Cape Town

Other monthly averages

UV index Best time to go?

Cape Town weather stats

Cape Town weather statistics
Hottest month: February 24.8°C 76.6°F
Driest month: February 31mm 1.2ins
Sunniest month: February 11hrs
Coldest month: July 16.2°C 61.2°F
Wettest month: June 189mm 7.4ins
Warmest sea: February 19.4°C 66.9°F
Map showing location of Cape Town (-33.92584, 18.42322) Cape Town map pin © Google

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