Durban at a glance
- Best time
- Nov – Jun
- Warmest month
- Feb · 27°
- Warmest sea
- Feb · 25.8°
- Sunshine a year
- 2,560 h
- Rain a year
- 871 mm
- Climate
- Subtropical
- Time zone
- UTC+2
- Elevation
- 21 m
Climate in Durban
Durban has a subtropical climate with warm summers and mild winters. February is the warmest month with average highs of 27 °C, while July is the coolest at 21 °C. With around 2,560 hours of sunshine a year, Durban is sunny; June is the sunniest month with 8.1 hours a day.
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Good
Best time to visit: November – June
What is the weather like in Durban in October?
In October, Durban is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 18 °C. The sea averages 21.9 °C – refreshing for a swim. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 89 mm in total. It is often windy, with gusts of around 29 km/h. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Durban.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 12 h 46 min05:19 – 18:04
- UV index
- 10 · very highclear sky, noon (estimate)
- Muggy days
- 6 daysdew point 18 °C or more
- Wind
- 29 km/haverage daily peak
- Cloud cover
- 61 %on average
- Hot days
- 1 day30 °C or more
- Time zone
- UTC+2Africa/Johannesburg
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 35 %65 %
- Seaweight 25 %70 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %53 %
- Few rainy daysweight 20 %45 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Sun, sea & sand”.
What to pack in October
- Swimwear
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses & sun hat
- Rain jacket or umbrella
- Windproof jacket
Sea temperature in Durban
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 21.4 – 22.5 °C
Swimming season: All year
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Durban ranges from 21.1 °C in August to 25.8 °C in February. At 20 °C and more, the sea is warm enough for swimming all year round.
From April to July the sea is even warmer than the afternoon air. The sea temperature varies from year to year: in February, eight out of ten years were between 25.1 and 26.4 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 25.3° | 24.9° | 26.0° | pleasant |
| FebruaryFeb | 25.8° | 25.1° | 26.4° | pleasant |
| MarchMar | 25.6° | 24.9° | 26.3° | pleasant |
| AprilApr | 24.7° | 24.0° | 25.3° | pleasant |
| MayMay | 23.6° | 23.1° | 24.0° | pleasant |
| JuneJun | 22.4° | 21.8° | 23.0° | refreshing |
| JulyJul | 21.6° | 21.2° | 22.0° | refreshing |
| AugustAug | 21.1° | 20.6° | 21.5° | refreshing |
| SeptemberSep | 21.3° | 20.8° | 21.9° | refreshing |
| OctoberOct | 21.9° | 21.4° | 22.5° | refreshing |
| NovemberNov | 22.8° | 22.1° | 23.4° | refreshing |
| DecemberDec | 24.1° | 23.5° | 24.7° | pleasant |
Sunshine hours in Durban
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 6.2 of 12.8 hours of daylight in Durban, 48 % of the day.
Sunshine hours count the time with bright, direct sunshine (WMO definition, estimated from model data); daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
Rain in Durban: 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, Durban has about 12 rainy days with 89 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 | 81 | 27° | 22° | 25.3° | 6.9 h | 13 | 90 |
| FebruaryFeb | 82 | 27° | 22° | 25.8° | 6.8 h | 12 | 89 |
| MarchMar | 83 | 26° | 21° | 25.6° | 7.0 h | 11 | 88 |
| AprilApr | 82 | 25° | 19° | 24.7° | 6.9 h | 10 | 98 |
| MayMay | 82 | 23° | 17° | 23.6° | 7.7 h | 6 | 61 |
| JuneJun | 73 | 22° | 15° | 22.4° | 8.1 h | 5 | 35 |
| JulyJul | 65 | 21° | 14° | 21.6° | 7.9 h | 5 | 43 |
| AugustAug | 65 | 22° | 15° | 21.1° | 7.5 h | 6 | 35 |
| SeptemberSep | 62 | 23° | 16° | 21.3° | 6.8 h | 8 | 63 |
| OctoberOct | 60 | 23° | 18° | 21.9° | 6.2 h | 12 | 89 |
| NovemberNov | 68 | 24° | 19° | 22.8° | 5.9 h | 13 | 90 |
| DecemberDec | 79 | 26° | 21° | 24.1° | 6.3 h | 13 | 89 |
Climate averages 1996–2025, not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)
29.86° S, 31.03° E · 21 m · Africa/Johannesburg
Best time to visit Durban
The best time to visit Durban is from November to June. For a beach holiday with the sea above 21 °C, go from February to May. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from February to October. Rain is most frequent from November to January; the wettest month is April with 98 mm.
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Durban for you.
Your best months: January – March
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
Feb – May
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
Feb – Oct
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
Nov – Jan
12 or more rainy days
Durban month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
81January27° · Sea 25° · 7 h
In January, Durban is warm: daytime highs average 27 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 22 °C. The sea averages 25.3 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 90 mm in total. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, January is an excellent month for a holiday in Durban.
Durban in January82February27° · Sea 26° · 7 h
In February, Durban is warm: daytime highs average 27 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 22 °C. The sea averages 25.8 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 89 mm in total. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, February is an excellent month for a holiday in Durban.
Durban in February83March26° · Sea 26° · 7 h
In March, Durban is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 21 °C. The sea averages 25.6 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 88 mm in total. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, March is an excellent month for a holiday in Durban.
Durban in March82April25° · Sea 25° · 7 h
In April, Durban is warm: daytime highs average 25 °C, and nights cool down to about 19 °C. The sea averages 24.7 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 98 mm in total. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, April is an excellent month for a holiday in Durban.
Durban in April82May23° · Sea 24° · 8 h
In May, Durban is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 17 °C. The sea averages 23.6 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain falls on about 6 days, adding up to 61 mm. All in all, May is an excellent month for a holiday in Durban.
Durban in May73June22° · Sea 22° · 8 h
In June, Durban is warm: daytime highs average 22 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sea averages 22.4 °C – refreshing for a swim. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain falls on about 5 days, adding up to 35 mm. All in all, June is a good month for a holiday in Durban.
Durban in June65July21° · Sea 22° · 8 h
In July, Durban is warm: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 21.6 °C – refreshing for a swim. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 5 days bring 43 mm in total. All in all, July is a good month for a holiday in Durban.
Durban in July65August22° · Sea 21° · 8 h
In August, Durban is warm: daytime highs average 22 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sea averages 21.1 °C – refreshing for a swim. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain falls on about 6 days, adding up to 35 mm. All in all, August is a good month for a holiday in Durban.
Durban in August62September23° · Sea 21° · 7 h
In September, Durban is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 16 °C. The sea averages 21.3 °C – refreshing for a swim. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 63 mm. It is often windy, with gusts of around 28 km/h. All in all, September is a good month for a holiday in Durban.
Durban in September60October23° · Sea 22° · 6 h
In October, Durban is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 18 °C. The sea averages 21.9 °C – refreshing for a swim. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 89 mm in total. It is often windy, with gusts of around 29 km/h. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Durban.
Durban in October68November24° · Sea 23° · 6 h
In November, Durban is warm: daytime highs average 24 °C, and nights cool down to about 19 °C. The sea averages 22.8 °C – refreshing for a swim. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 90 mm in total. All in all, November is a good month for a holiday in Durban.
Durban in November79December26° · Sea 24° · 6 h
In December, Durban is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 21 °C. The sea averages 24.1 °C – pleasant for swimming. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 89 mm in total. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, December is a good month for a holiday in Durban.
Durban in DecemberPlanning a trip to Durban
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 12 h
- Distance
- 9,550 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 Durban
When is the best time to visit Durban?
The best time to visit Durban is from November to June. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Durban?
The sea temperature in Durban ranges from 21.1 °C in August to 25.8 °C in February. At 20 °C and more, the sea is warm enough for swimming all year round.
Can you swim in Durban in October?
Yes. In October the sea averages 21.9 °C – refreshing for a swim.
What is the warmest month in Durban?
February is the warmest month, with average highs of 27 °C and nights around 22 °C. July is the coolest month at 21 °C.
When does it rain most in Durban?
Rain is most frequent from November to January; the wettest month is April with 98 mm. The driest month is June with 35 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Durban get?
Durban gets around 2,560 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is June with 8.1 hours a day; in November there are 5.9 hours a day.
What time zone is Durban in?
Durban uses the time zone Africa/Johannesburg, at UTC+2 all year.
How long is the flight from London to Durban?
A nonstop flight from London to Durban takes about 12 h, for a straight-line distance of about 9,550 km. Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.
Near Durban
Other destinations close by.