AI-generatedCape Town at a glance
- Best time
- Sep – Apr
- Warmest month
- Feb · 27°
- Warmest sea
- Jan · 17.1°
- Sunshine a year
- 3,120 h
- Rain a year
- 460 mm
- Climate
- Mediterranean
- Time zone
- UTC+2
- Elevation
- 25 m
Climate in Cape Town
Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate with warm to hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. February is the warmest month with average highs of 27 °C, while July is the coolest at 17 °C. With around 3,120 hours of sunshine a year, Cape Town is very sunny; January is the sunniest month with 11.4 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Excellent
Best time to visit: September – April
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 15°
- Midday, 13:00: about 21°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 21°
- Evening, 20:00: about 17°
- Night, 23:00: about 15°
06:0618:58
Cool evenings: pack a jumper or a jacket.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
What is the weather like in Cape Town in October?
In October, Cape Town is warm: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sea averages 15.1 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. With around 9 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain is rare: about 5 days bring 22 mm in total. All in all, October is an excellent month for a holiday in Cape Town.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 12 h 53 min06:06 – 18:58
- UV index
- 9 · very highclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or more
- Wind
- 23 km/haverage daily peak
- Cloud cover
- 41 %on average
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or more
- Time zone
- UTC+2Africa/Johannesburg
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 50 %100 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %100 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %96 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “City break”.
What to pack in October
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses & sun hat
- A jumper for the evenings
Sea temperature in Cape Town
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 14.2 – 15.7 °C
Swimming season: Never above 20 °C
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Cape Town ranges from 14.5 °C in July to 17.1 °C in January. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
The sea temperature varies from year to year: in January, eight out of ten years were between 15.3 and 18.6 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 17.1° | 15.3° | 18.6° | fresh |
| FebruaryFeb | 17.1° | 14.9° | 18.8° | fresh |
| MarchMar | 16.3° | 14.8° | 18.3° | cold |
| AprilApr | 15.0° | 13.8° | 16.5° | cold |
| MayMay | 15.0° | 14.1° | 16.2° | cold |
| JuneJun | 14.9° | 14.0° | 15.9° | cold |
| JulyJul | 14.5° | 13.7° | 15.5° | cold |
| AugustAug | 14.5° | 13.7° | 15.2° | cold |
| SeptemberSep | 14.8° | 14.2° | 15.5° | cold |
| OctoberOct | 15.1° | 14.2° | 15.7° | cold |
| NovemberNov | 15.8° | 14.7° | 17.2° | cold |
| DecemberDec | 16.7° | 14.7° | 18.7° | cold |
Sunshine hours in Cape Town
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 9.1 of 12.9 hours of daylight in Cape Town, 71 % of the day.
Sunshine hours: measured at the weather station 17 km away, averages 1991–2020 (WMO climate normals). Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
UV index in Cape Town
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 9 · very highStay in the shade around midday; SPF 50, clothing, hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in December (UV 11).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 15 min
- Fair skin
- about 20 min
- Light brown skin
- about 25 min
- Olive skin
- about 35 min
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen it, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Rain in Cape Town: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Cape Town has about 5 rainy days with 22 mm of rain in total.
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sea | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 100 | 26° | 17° | 17.1° | 11.4 h | 3 | 12 |
| FebruaryFeb | 100 | 27° | 17° | 17.1° | 10.8 h | 2 | 10 |
| MarchMar | 100 | 25° | 16° | 16.3° | 9.3 h | 3 | 14 |
| AprilApr | 96 | 23° | 14° | 15.0° | 8.0 h | 5 | 32 |
| MayMay | 84 | 20° | 12° | 15.0° | 6.3 h | 7 | 54 |
| JuneJun | 72 | 17° | 9° | 14.9° | 5.9 h | 10 | 84 |
| JulyJul | 73 | 17° | 9° | 14.5° | 6.4 h | 9 | 81 |
| AugustAug | 72 | 17° | 9° | 14.5° | 6.7 h | 10 | 74 |
| SeptemberSep | 89 | 18° | 10° | 14.8° | 7.6 h | 7 | 40 |
| OctoberOct | 99 | 21° | 12° | 15.1° | 9.1 h | 5 | 22 |
| NovemberNov | 99 | 23° | 14° | 15.8° | 10.1 h | 5 | 25 |
| DecemberDec | 100 | 25° | 16° | 16.7° | 10.9 h | 3 | 14 |
Climate averages 1996–2025, not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)
33.93° S, 18.42° E · 25 m · Africa/Johannesburg
Best time to visit Cape Town
The best time to visit Cape Town is from September to April. The sea stays too cool for a classic beach holiday: even in January it only reaches 17.1 °C. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, the weather is pleasant all year round. The wettest month is June with 84 mm of precipitation.
Cape Town through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Cape Town in spring
Sep – Nov
Excellent
- 18–23 °C by day
- Sea 15 °C
- 9 h of sun a day
- 16 rainy days in all
Cape Town in summer
Dec – Feb
Excellent
- 25–27 °C by day
- Sea 17 °C
- 11 h of sun a day
- 8 rainy days in all
Cape Town in autumn
Mar – May
Excellent
- 20–25 °C by day
- Sea 15 °C
- 8 h of sun a day
- 15 rainy days in all
Cape Town in winter
Jun – Aug
Good
- 17 °C by day
- Sea 15 °C
- 6 h of sun a day
- 29 rainy days in all
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Cape Town for you.
Your best months: March, November – December
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No month
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
All year
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Cape Town month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
100January26° · Sea 17° · 11 h
In January, Cape Town is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and nights cool down to about 17 °C. The sea averages 17.1 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. With around 11 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain is rare: about 3 days bring 12 mm in total. On about 5 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, January is an excellent month for a holiday in Cape Town.
Cape Town in January100February27° · Sea 17° · 11 h
In February, Cape Town is warm: daytime highs average 27 °C, and nights cool down to about 17 °C. The sea averages 17.1 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. With around 11 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain is rare: about 2 days bring 10 mm in total. All in all, February is an excellent month for a holiday in Cape Town.
Cape Town in February100March25° · Sea 16° · 9 h
In March, Cape Town is warm: daytime highs average 25 °C, and nights cool down to about 16 °C. The sea averages 16.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. With around 9 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain is rare: about 3 days bring 14 mm in total. All in all, March is an excellent month for a holiday in Cape Town.
Cape Town in March96April23° · Sea 15° · 8 h
In April, Cape Town is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 15.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 5 days bring 32 mm in total. All in all, April is an excellent month for a holiday in Cape Town.
Cape Town in April84May20° · Sea 15° · 6 h
In May, Cape Town is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sea averages 15.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 7 days, adding up to 54 mm. All in all, May is an excellent month for a holiday in Cape Town.
Cape Town in May72June17° · Sea 15° · 6 h
In June, Cape Town is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 14.9 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 84 mm in total. All in all, June is a good month for a holiday in Cape Town.
Cape Town in June73July17° · Sea 15° · 6 h
In July, Cape Town is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 14.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 9 days, adding up to 81 mm. All in all, July is a good month for a holiday in Cape Town.
Cape Town in July72August17° · Sea 15° · 7 h
In August, Cape Town is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 14.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 74 mm in total. All in all, August is a good month for a holiday in Cape Town.
Cape Town in August89September18° · Sea 15° · 8 h
In September, Cape Town is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 14.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain falls on about 7 days, adding up to 40 mm. All in all, September is an excellent month for a holiday in Cape Town.
Cape Town in September99October21° · Sea 15° · 9 h
In October, Cape Town is warm: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sea averages 15.1 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. With around 9 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain is rare: about 5 days bring 22 mm in total. All in all, October is an excellent month for a holiday in Cape Town.
Cape Town in October99November23° · Sea 16° · 10 h
In November, Cape Town is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 15.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. With around 10 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain is rare: about 5 days bring 25 mm in total. All in all, November is an excellent month for a holiday in Cape Town.
Cape Town in November100December25° · Sea 17° · 11 h
In December, Cape Town is warm: daytime highs average 25 °C, and nights cool down to about 16 °C. The sea averages 16.7 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. With around 11 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain is rare: about 3 days bring 14 mm in total. All in all, December is an excellent month for a holiday in Cape Town.
Cape Town in DecemberCape Town compared
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Cape Town vs. Durban
In October Cape Town has the better holiday weather (score 99 vs. 73). During the day Durban is 2 °C warmer than Cape Town. The sea in Durban is 7 °C warmer. Durban gets 3 fewer hours of sunshine a day.
| in October | Cape Town | Durban |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday score | 99 | 73 |
| Daytime high | 21° | 23° |
| Sea | 15° | 22° |
| Sunshine | 9 h | 6 h |
| Rainy days | 5 | 12 |
| Best time | Sep – Apr | Nov – Jun |
Through the year
South Africa in October: the best places
In October, Cape Town ranks 1 of 2 destinations in this country.
- Cape TownThis page21°15°99
- 2Durban23°22°58
Planning a trip to Cape Town
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 12 h 10 min
- Distance
- 9,670 km
- Time zone
- UTC+2
Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Frequently asked questions about Cape Town
When is the best time to visit Cape Town?
The best time to visit Cape Town is from September to April. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Cape Town?
The sea temperature in Cape Town ranges from 14.5 °C in July to 17.1 °C in January. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
Can you swim in Cape Town in October?
Only if you don't mind cold water: in October the sea averages just 15.1 °C. Comfortable swimming temperatures are not reached at any time of year.
What is the warmest month in Cape Town?
February is the warmest month, with average highs of 27 °C and nights around 17 °C. July is the coolest month at 17 °C.
When does it rain most in Cape Town?
The wettest month is June with 84 mm of precipitation. The driest month is February with 10 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Cape Town get?
Cape Town gets around 3,120 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is January with 11.4 hours a day; in June there are 5.9 hours a day.
What time zone is Cape Town in?
Cape Town uses the time zone Africa/Johannesburg, at UTC+2 all year.
How long is the flight from London to Cape Town?
A nonstop flight from London to Cape Town takes about 12 h 10 min, for a straight-line distance of about 9,670 km. Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.
Near Cape Town
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Cape Town
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Cape Town's – good alternatives.