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Gansbaai weather & best time to visit

Sun, sea & sand

Gansbaai at a glance

Best time
Dec – Mar
Warmest month
Feb · 25°
Warmest sea
Jan · 19.5°
Sunshine a year
2,860 h
Rain a year
503 mm
Climate
Mediterranean
Time zone
UTC+2
Elevation
27 m

Climate in Gansbaai

Gansbaai has a Mediterranean climate with warm to hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. February is the warmest month with average highs of 25 °C, while July is the coolest at 18 °C. With around 2,860 hours of sunshine a year, Gansbaai is sunny; January is the sunniest month with 9.8 hours a day.

Holiday weather through the year

Best time to visit

Best time to visit Gansbaai

The best time to visit Gansbaai is from December to March. The sea stays too cool for a classic beach holiday: even in January it only reaches 19.5 °C. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, the weather is pleasant all year round. The wettest month is July with 69 mm of precipitation.

Gansbaai through the seasons

How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.

Gansbaai in spring

Sep – Nov

43

Fair

  • 19–22 °C by day
  • Sea 16 °C
  • 8.2 h of sun a day
  • 21 rainy days in all

Gansbaai in summer

Dec – Feb

78

Good

  • 24–25 °C by day
  • Sea 19 °C
  • 9.5 h of sun a day
  • 16 rainy days in all

Gansbaai in autumn

Mar – May

49

Fair

  • 20–24 °C by day
  • Sea 17 °C
  • 7.3 h of sun a day
  • 20 rainy days in all

Gansbaai in winter

Jun – Aug

23

Poor

  • 18 °C by day
  • Sea 15 °C
  • 6.4 h of sun a day
  • 29 rainy days in all

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

Find your perfect month

Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Gansbaai for you.

Swimming in the sea
Sunshine
Little rain

Your best months: December – February

Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.

Your holiday weather, at a glance

Weather in October

Weather in October

43

Holiday weather in October

Fair

Best time to visit: December – March

Good forSightseeing & walks

A typical day in October

  1. Morning, 08:00: about 16°
  2. Midday, 13:00: about 20°
  3. Afternoon, 16:00: about 20°
  4. Evening, 20:00: about 17°
  5. Night, 23:00: about 15°

06:0118:55

Cool evenings: pack a jumper or a jacket.

Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.

Light for photos in October

Golden hour
Morning 05:46–06:35 · evening 18:22–19:11
Blue hour
Morning 05:36–05:46 · evening 19:11–19:21

Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.

October in Gansbaai compared with home

Home:

Loading the climate at home …

Early or late October?

In October, daytime highs rise from about 20° at the start of the month to 21° at the end. The sea warms from 16° to 17°. The days get 1.0 h longer.

Early or late October?
October1 Oct31 Oct
Daytime high20°21°
Night-time low12°14°
Sea16°17°
Daylight12.4 h13.4 h

What is the weather like in Gansbaai in October?

In October, Gansbaai is mild: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 16.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 8.2 hours a day. Rain falls on about 7 days, adding up to 38 mm. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in Gansbaai.

More details for October

Daylight
12 h 54 min06:01 – 18:55
UV index
9 · very highclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
Muggy days
0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
Wind
24 km/haverage daily peakAll months
Cloud cover
52 %on averageAll months
Hot days
0 days30 °C or moreAll months
Time zone
UTC+2offset from UTC

How the score comes together

  • Temperatureweight 35 %28 %
  • Seaweight 25 %0 %
  • Sunshineweight 20 %87 %
  • Few rainy daysweight 20 %79 %

Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Sun, sea & sand”.

What to pack in October

  • Wetsuit for longer swims
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses & sun hat
  • A jumper for the evenings

Compare two months in Gansbaai

Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.

vs

January has the better holiday weather in Gansbaai: score 81 against 43. In January, days are 4 °C warmer than in October. The sea is 3 °C warmer in January. January has 2 fewer rainy days. The sun shines 2 hours longer a day in January.

October vs January, Gansbaai
MonthOctoberJanuary
Holiday weather score4381better
Daytime high21°25°
Night-time low13°18°
Sea16.3°19.5°
Sunshine8.2 h9.8 hbetter
Rainy days75better
Rainfall38 mm23 mmbetter
Muggy days0better3

Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.

Gansbaai month by month

The typical weather for every month at a glance.

81January25° · Sea 20° · 9.8 h

In January, Gansbaai is warm: daytime highs average 25 °C, and nights cool down to about 18 °C. The sea averages 19.5 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. With around 9.8 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain falls on about 5 days, adding up to 23 mm. All in all, January is an excellent month for a holiday in Gansbaai.

Gansbaai in January
81February25° · Sea 19° · 9.2 h

In February, Gansbaai is warm: daytime highs average 25 °C, and nights cool down to about 18 °C. The sea averages 19.2 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. With around 9.2 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain falls on about 5 days, adding up to 20 mm. All in all, February is an excellent month for a holiday in Gansbaai.

Gansbaai in February
67March24° · Sea 18° · 8.1 h

In March, Gansbaai is warm: daytime highs average 24 °C, and nights cool down to about 17 °C. The sea averages 18.0 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun shines for around 8.1 hours a day. Rain falls on about 6 days, adding up to 30 mm. All in all, March is a good month for a holiday in Gansbaai.

Gansbaai in March
49April22° · Sea 17° · 7.3 h

In April, Gansbaai is warm: daytime highs average 22 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 16.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7.3 hours a day. Rain falls on about 6 days, adding up to 38 mm. All in all, April is a so-so month for a holiday in Gansbaai.

Gansbaai in April
32May20° · Sea 16° · 6.4 h

In May, Gansbaai is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 16.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6.4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 52 mm. All in all, May is not an ideal month for a holiday in Gansbaai.

Gansbaai in May
22June18° · Sea 16° · 5.9 h

In June, Gansbaai is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sea averages 15.9 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.9 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 67 mm in total. All in all, June is not an ideal month for a holiday in Gansbaai.

Gansbaai in June
24July18° · Sea 15° · 6.4 h

In July, Gansbaai is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 15.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 6.4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 69 mm in total. All in all, July is not an ideal month for a holiday in Gansbaai.

Gansbaai in July
24August18° · Sea 15° · 6.8 h

In August, Gansbaai is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 15.1 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 6.8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 62 mm in total. All in all, August is not an ideal month for a holiday in Gansbaai.

Gansbaai in August
29September19° · Sea 16° · 7.3 h

In September, Gansbaai is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sea averages 15.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7.3 hours a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 43 mm. All in all, September is not an ideal month for a holiday in Gansbaai.

Gansbaai in September
43October21° · Sea 16° · 8.2 h

In October, Gansbaai is mild: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sea averages 16.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 8.2 hours a day. Rain falls on about 7 days, adding up to 38 mm. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in Gansbaai.

Gansbaai in October
56November22° · Sea 18° · 9.1 h

In November, Gansbaai is warm: daytime highs average 22 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sea averages 17.5 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. With around 9.1 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain falls on about 6 days, adding up to 39 mm. All in all, November is a so-so month for a holiday in Gansbaai.

Gansbaai in November
73December24° · Sea 19° · 9.6 h

In December, Gansbaai is warm: daytime highs average 24 °C, and nights cool down to about 17 °C. The sea averages 18.8 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. With around 9.6 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain falls on about 6 days, adding up to 23 mm. All in all, December is a good month for a holiday in Gansbaai.

Gansbaai in December

Climate in detail

Year & climate table

Climate through the year

Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.

Best time to visit

Nights and sleep in Gansbaai

How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.

  • Cool 8–15°
  • Pleasant 15–20°

CoolOctober: nights around 13°. A duvet at night and a jumper for the evening.

The coolest nights are in July (10°), the warmest in January (18°). Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) from November to March.

Temperatures through the year

Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.

OctoberDay 21°Night 13°Sea 16°
DayNightSea
MonthScoreDayNightSeaSunRain daysRain mm
JanuaryJan8125°18°19.5°9.8 h523
FebruaryFeb8125°18°19.2°9.2 h520
MarchMar6724°17°18.0°8.1 h630
AprilApr4922°14°16.5°7.3 h638
MayMay3220°13°16.2°6.4 h852
JuneJun2218°11°15.9°5.9 h967
JulyJul2418°10°15.2°6.4 h969
AugustAug2418°10°15.1°6.8 h1062
SeptemberSep2919°11°15.5°7.3 h843
OctoberOct4321°13°16.3°8.2 h738
NovemberNov5622°15°17.5°9.1 h639
DecemberDec7324°17°18.8°9.6 h623

Climate averages 1996–2025 (sunshine partly WMO station normals 1991–2020), 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). Sources & licences

34.58° S, 19.35° E · 27 m · Africa/Johannesburg

Sea temperature
Swimming calendar

Sea temperature in Gansbaai

Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.

Sea in October16.3°Ccold

8 in 10 years: 15.8 – 16.7 °C

Swimming season: Always below 20 °C

  • cold
  • fresh
  • refreshing
  • pleasant
  • warm
  • very warm
OctoberMean sea temperature 16.3°8 in 10 years 15.8° – 16.7°
20°
Mean sea temperature8 in 10 years20 °C – comfortable for swimming

The sea temperature in Gansbaai ranges from 15.1 °C in August to 19.5 °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 18.1 and 20.8 °C.

Sea temperature by month
MonthAverageCool yearWarm yearFeels
JanuaryJan19.5°18.1°20.8°fresh
FebruaryFeb19.2°17.5°20.7°fresh
MarchMar18.0°16.3°19.7°fresh
AprilApr16.5°14.9°17.8°cold
MayMay16.2°15.2°16.9°cold
JuneJun15.9°15.2°16.4°cold
JulyJul15.2°14.5°15.8°cold
AugustAug15.1°14.5°15.8°cold
SeptemberSep15.5°14.8°15.9°cold
OctoberOct16.3°15.8°16.7°cold
NovemberNov17.5°16.9°18.4°fresh
DecemberDec18.8°17.6°19.9°fresh
Sunshine
Sunshine

Sunshine hours in Gansbaai

Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.

Per year
2,860 hours
Sunniest month
Jan · 9.8 h a day
Least sunshine
Jun · 5.9 h a day
OctoberSunshine 8.2 hDaylight 12.9 hShare of daylight 64 %
SunshineDaylight

In October, the sun shines for about 8.2 of 12.9 hours of daylight in Gansbaai, 64 % of the daylight hours.

Sunshine hours: estimated from radiation data (ERA5, 1996–2025) and calibrated against measured station values; no weather station is close enough here. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.

Rain
Rain

Rain in Gansbaai: 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.

Per year
503 mm on 86 days
Wettest month
Jul · 69 mm
Driest month
Feb · 20 mm
OctoberRainy days 7Rainfall 38 mm

In October, Gansbaai has about 7 rainy days with 38 mm of rain in total.

UV index
Sun protection

UV index in Gansbaai

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 the time, 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.

Wind & clouds
Wind & clouds

Wind and clouds in Gansbaai

How breezy and how cloudy Gansbaai is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.

Wind

Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.

Year average
23 km/h · moderate breeze
Windiest month
Dec · 25 km/h
Calmest month
May · 20 km/h
OctoberWind 24 km/hBeaufort 4
20
WindBeaufort 4

In October, the wind in Gansbaai typically peaks at 24 km/h during the day: Beaufort 4, moderate breeze.

Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting

From Beaufort 4 (20 km/h) the daily breeze is usually enough for windsurfing and often for kiting, and here it is that strong all year.

Clouds

Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.

Year average
47 % · variable cloud
Clearest month
Feb · 40 %
Cloudiest month
Oct · 52 %
OctoberCloud cover 52 %Sunshine 8.2 h

In October, cloud covers on average 52 % of the sky over Gansbaai: variable cloud, with about 8.2 hours of sunshine a day.

Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.

Heat & humidity
Heat & humidity

Heat and humidity in Gansbaai

How often the day gets hot in Gansbaai (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.

Hot days a year
5 days
Hottest month
Feb · 25 °C
Hot months
none

Heat calendar

  • pleasant
  • some hot or muggy days
  • often muggy
  • often hot
  • hot and muggy
OctoberHot days (30 °C+) 0Daytime high 21 °C

In October, Gansbaai has about 0 hot days, with an average daytime high of 21 °C: pleasant. Heat plays no part this month.

Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year

Planning a trip to Gansbaai

Weather for your travel dates

Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.

Gansbaai in the school holidays

How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.

Gansbaai has its best school-holiday weather during the Christmas holidays (score 77) and its weakest during the summer holidays (score 24).

  • Easter holidays

    Mar – Apr

    54

    Fair

    • 23 °C by day
    • Sea 17 °C
    • 7.5 h of sun a day
    • 6 rainy days a month

    Good for: Sightseeing & walks

  • May half-term

    May – Jun

    30

    Poor

    • 20 °C by day
    • Sea 16 °C
    • 6.3 h of sun a day
    • 8 rainy days a month

    Good for: Sightseeing & walks

  • Summer holidays

    Jul – Aug

    24

    Poor

    • 18 °C by day
    • Sea 15 °C
    • 6.7 h of sun a day
    • 10 rainy days a month

    Good for: Sightseeing & walks

  • October half-term

    Oct

    43

    Fair

    • 21 °C by day
    • Sea 16 °C
    • 8.2 h of sun a day
    • 7 rainy days a month

    Good for: Sightseeing & walks

  • Christmas holidays

    Dec – Jan

    77

    GoodBest holidays

    • 24 °C by day
    • Sea 19 °C
    • 9.7 h of sun a day
    • 5 rainy days a month

    Good for: Sightseeing & walks

Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.

Getting there

Flying from

Nonstop flight
about 12 h 15 min
Distance
9,760 km
Time zone
UTC+2
Jet lag
Hardly any (under 3 h)

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.

Good to know: South Africa

Currency
South African Rand (ZAR)
Languages
Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans
Sockets
Type C, D, M, N · 230 V
Traffic
Drives on the left
Dialling code
+27
Emergency number
112

UK plugs need a travel adapter

Sources: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0). Please check details before you travel.

Compare & alternatives

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Gansbaai compared

Put Gansbaai side by side with another destination.

Nearby:
Compare with home:

Gansbaai vs Hermanus

In October the holiday weather in Gansbaai and Hermanus is about equally good (score 43 vs 44). During the day it is about as warm in Hermanus as in Gansbaai. The sea is about equally warm.

Gansbaai vs Hermanus, in October
in OctoberGansbaaiHermanus
Holiday weather score4344
Daytime high21°21°
Sea16°16°
Sunshine8 h8 h
Rainy days77
Best timeDec – MarDec – Mar

Through the year

OctoberGansbaai 21°Hermanus 21°
GansbaaiHermanus
Go to Hermanus
Best places in the country
Ranking

South Africa in October: the best places

In October, Gansbaai ranks 27 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.

  1. Orania23°100
  2. 2Somerset West23°16°99
  3. 3Paarl24°99
  4. 4Cape Town23°15°99
  5. 5Franschhoek23°96
  6. 6Stellenbosch22°95
  7. 7Beaufort West27°95
  8. 8Worcester24°94
  9. 27GansbaaiThis page21°16°43
All destinations: South Africa
Places nearby

Near Gansbaai

Other destinations close by.

Places with a similar climate

Places with a climate like Gansbaai

Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Gansbaai's – good alternatives.

  1. 82 % similar44Victor HarborAustralia21°15°Best time: Dec – Mar
  2. 82 % similar46Port LincolnAustralia21°16°Best time: Dec – Mar
  3. 77 % similar47EsperanceAustralia22°17°Best time: Dec – Mar
  4. 73 % similar41Jeffreys BaySouth Africa21°18°Best time: Dec – Mar

Frequently asked questions about Gansbaai

When is the best time to visit Gansbaai?

The best time to visit Gansbaai is from December to March. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.

How warm is the sea in Gansbaai?

The sea temperature in Gansbaai ranges from 15.1 °C in August to 19.5 °C in January. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.

Can you swim in Gansbaai in October?

Only if you don't mind cold water: in October the sea averages just 16.3 °C. Comfortable swimming temperatures are not reached at any time of year.

What is the warmest month in Gansbaai?

February is the warmest month, with average highs of 25 °C and nights around 18 °C. July is the coolest month at 18 °C.

When does it rain most in Gansbaai?

The wettest month is July with 69 mm of precipitation. The driest month is February with 20 mm.

How many hours of sunshine does Gansbaai get?

Gansbaai gets around 2,860 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is January with 9.8 hours a day; in June there are 5.9 hours a day.

What time zone is Gansbaai in?

Gansbaai is on UTC+2 all year.

How long is the flight from London to Gansbaai?

A nonstop flight from London to Gansbaai takes about 12 h 15 min, for a straight-line distance of about 9,760 km. Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.

Which school holidays are best for Gansbaai?

Gansbaai has its best school-holiday weather during the Christmas holidays (score 77) and its weakest during the summer holidays (score 24). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 54, May half-term 30, summer holidays 24, October half-term 43, Christmas holidays 77.