AI-generatedRichards Bay at a glance
- Best time
- May – Oct
- Warmest month
- Jan · 30°
- Warmest sea
- Feb · 26.6°
- Sunshine a year
- 2,330 h
- Rain a year
- 918 mm
- Climate
- Tropical
- Time zone
- UTC+2
- Elevation
- 9 m
Climate in Richards Bay
Richards Bay has a tropical climate: it is warm all year round, and the seasons differ mainly in how much rain falls. January is the warmest month with average highs of 30 °C, while July is the coolest at 24 °C. With around 2,330 hours of sunshine a year, Richards Bay is sunny; January is the sunniest month with 7.0 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Best time to visit Richards Bay
The best time to visit Richards Bay is from May to October. For a beach holiday – sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry – go from April to September. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from April to September. The rainy season is from January to February; the wettest month is January with 121 mm.
Richards Bay through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Richards Bay in the dry season
Mar – Dec
Good
- 24–29 °C by day
- Sea 24 °C
- 6.3 h of sun a day
- 97 rainy days in all
Richards Bay in the rainy season
Jan – Feb
Fair
- 30 °C by day
- Sea 26 °C
- 6.8 h of sun a day
- 27 rainy days in all
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
Apr – Sep
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
Apr – Sep
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
Jan – Feb
Rainy season or more than 12 rainy days
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Richards Bay for you.
Your best months: June – August
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Weather in October
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Good
Best time to visit: May – October
Where to go in OctoberSea temperature in October
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 22°
- Midday, 13:00: about 26°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 25°
- Evening, 20:00: about 22°
- Night, 23:00: about 20°
05:1518:00
Pleasant evenings; a light layer can help.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 05:01–05:47 · evening 17:28–18:14
- Blue hour
- Morning 04:51–05:01 · evening 18:14–18:24
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 Richards Bay compared with home
Loading the climate at home …
Early or late October?
In October, daytime highs rise from about 26° at the start of the month to 27° at the end. The sea warms from 22° to 23°. The days get 0.8 h longer.
| October | 1 Oct | 31 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 26° | 27° |
| Night-time low | 17° | 19° |
| Sea | 22° | 23° |
| Daylight | 12.3 h | 13.1 h |
What is the weather like in Richards Bay in October?
In October, Richards Bay is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and nights cool down to about 18 °C. The sea averages 22.4 °C – refreshing for a swim. Expect around 5.8 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 80 mm in total. On about 6 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Richards Bay.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 12 h 44 min05:15 – 18:00
- UV index
- 10 · very highclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 7 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 27 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 59 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 6 days30 °C or moreAll months
- Time zone
- UTC+2offset from UTC
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 50 %100 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %47 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %41 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “City break”.
What to pack in October
- Swimwear
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses & sun hat
- Light, breathable clothes
- Rain jacket or umbrella
Compare two months in Richards Bay
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
June has the better holiday weather in Richards Bay: score 87 against 72. In June, days are 1 °C cooler than in October. The sea is 1 °C warmer in June. June has 6 fewer rainy days. The sun shines an hour longer a day in June.
| Month | October | June |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 72 | 87better |
| Daytime high | 26° | 25° |
| Night-time low | 18° | 15° |
| Sea | 22.4° | 22.9° |
| Sunshine | 5.8 h | 6.6 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 12 | 6better |
| Rainfall | 80 mm | 37 mmbetter |
| Muggy days | 7 | 0better |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Richards Bay month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
56January30° · Sea 26° · 7.0 h
In January, Richards Bay is hot: daytime highs average 30 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 22 °C. The sea averages 26.0 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 7.0 hours a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 14 days, totalling 121 mm. On about 14 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, January is a so-so month for a holiday in Richards Bay.
Richards Bay in January57February30° · Sea 27° · 6.6 h
In February, Richards Bay is hot: daytime highs average 30 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 22 °C. The sea averages 26.6 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 6.6 hours a day. It is the rainy season: rain falls on about 13 days, totalling 107 mm. On about 12 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, February is a so-so month for a holiday in Richards Bay.
Richards Bay in February59March29° · Sea 26° · 6.6 h
In March, Richards Bay is hot: daytime highs average 29 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 22 °C. The sea averages 26.4 °C – lovely and warm for swimming. The sun shines for around 6.6 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 96 mm in total. On about 13 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, March is a so-so month for a holiday in Richards Bay.
Richards Bay in March71April28° · Sea 25° · 6.1 h
In April, Richards Bay is hot: daytime highs average 28 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 20 °C. The sea averages 25.4 °C – pleasant for swimming. Expect around 6.1 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 86 mm in total. On about 7 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, April is a good month for a holiday in Richards Bay.
Richards Bay in April84May26° · Sea 24° · 6.6 h
In May, Richards Bay is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and nights cool down to about 18 °C. The sea averages 24.1 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 6.6 hours a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 58 mm. All in all, May is an excellent month for a holiday in Richards Bay.
Richards Bay in May87June25° · Sea 23° · 6.6 h
In June, Richards Bay is warm: daytime highs average 25 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sea averages 22.9 °C – refreshing for a swim. The sun shines for around 6.6 hours a day. Rain falls on about 6 days, adding up to 37 mm. All in all, June is an excellent month for a holiday in Richards Bay.
Richards Bay in June86July24° · Sea 22° · 6.4 h
In July, Richards Bay is warm: daytime highs average 24 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 22.0 °C – refreshing for a swim. Expect around 6.4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 7 days, adding up to 46 mm. All in all, July is an excellent month for a holiday in Richards Bay.
Richards Bay in July86August25° · Sea 22° · 6.4 h
In August, Richards Bay is warm: daytime highs average 25 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sea averages 21.6 °C – refreshing for a swim. Expect around 6.4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 7 days, adding up to 36 mm. All in all, August is an excellent month for a holiday in Richards Bay.
Richards Bay in August81September26° · Sea 22° · 6.2 h
In September, Richards Bay is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and nights cool down to about 17 °C. The sea averages 21.8 °C – refreshing for a swim. Expect around 6.2 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 9 days, adding up to 61 mm. On about 6 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, September is an excellent month for a holiday in Richards Bay.
Richards Bay in September72October26° · Sea 22° · 5.8 h
In October, Richards Bay is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and nights cool down to about 18 °C. The sea averages 22.4 °C – refreshing for a swim. Expect around 5.8 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 80 mm in total. On about 6 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Richards Bay.
Richards Bay in October68November27° · Sea 24° · 5.8 h
In November, Richards Bay is hot: daytime highs average 27 °C, and nights cool down to about 19 °C. The sea averages 23.6 °C – pleasant for swimming. Expect around 5.8 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 95 mm in total. On about 8 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, November is a good month for a holiday in Richards Bay.
Richards Bay in November62December29° · Sea 25° · 6.4 h
In December, Richards Bay is hot: daytime highs average 29 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 21 °C. The sea averages 24.8 °C – pleasant for swimming. Expect around 6.4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 94 mm in total. On about 12 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. The air is often humid and muggy. All in all, December is a good month for a holiday in Richards Bay.
Richards Bay in DecemberClimate in detail
Year & climate table
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Richards Bay
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°
- Warm 20–24°
- muggy month (15+ muggy days)
PleasantOctober: nights around 18°. Ideal for sleeping, often with the window open. Muggy on about 7 days (dew point 18 °C or more).
The coolest nights are in July (14°), the warmest in February (22°). Tropical nights of 20 °C and more are the rule from December to April; then air conditioning or a fan helps you sleep. Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) from May to June and from August to November. It is muggy (dew point 18 °C or more) on about 145 days a year, mostly from November to April.
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 | 56 | 30° | 22° | 26.0° | 7.0 h | 14 | 121 |
| FebruaryFeb | 57 | 30° | 22° | 26.6° | 6.6 h | 13 | 107 |
| MarchMar | 59 | 29° | 22° | 26.4° | 6.6 h | 12 | 96 |
| AprilApr | 71 | 28° | 20° | 25.4° | 6.1 h | 11 | 86 |
| MayMay | 84 | 26° | 18° | 24.1° | 6.6 h | 8 | 58 |
| JuneJun | 87 | 25° | 15° | 22.9° | 6.6 h | 6 | 37 |
| JulyJul | 86 | 24° | 14° | 22.0° | 6.4 h | 7 | 46 |
| AugustAug | 86 | 25° | 15° | 21.6° | 6.4 h | 7 | 36 |
| SeptemberSep | 81 | 26° | 17° | 21.8° | 6.2 h | 9 | 61 |
| OctoberOct | 72 | 26° | 18° | 22.4° | 5.8 h | 12 | 80 |
| NovemberNov | 68 | 27° | 19° | 23.6° | 5.8 h | 13 | 95 |
| DecemberDec | 62 | 29° | 21° | 24.8° | 6.4 h | 13 | 94 |
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
28.78° S, 32.04° E · 9 m · Africa/Johannesburg
Sea temperature
Sea temperature in Richards Bay
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 21.9 – 22.8 °C
Swimming season: all year
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Richards Bay ranges from 21.6 °C in August to 26.6 °C in February. At 20 °C and more, the sea is warm enough for swimming all year round.
The sea warms up slowly: it is warmest in February, while the air already peaks in January. The sea temperature varies from year to year: in February, eight out of ten years were between 26.0 and 27.1 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 26.0° | 25.5° | 26.8° | warm |
| FebruaryFeb | 26.6° | 26.0° | 27.1° | warm |
| MarchMar | 26.4° | 25.9° | 26.9° | warm |
| AprilApr | 25.4° | 25.0° | 26.0° | pleasant |
| MayMay | 24.1° | 23.8° | 24.6° | pleasant |
| JuneJun | 22.9° | 22.5° | 23.2° | refreshing |
| JulyJul | 22.0° | 21.6° | 22.5° | refreshing |
| AugustAug | 21.6° | 21.2° | 22.1° | refreshing |
| SeptemberSep | 21.8° | 21.3° | 22.2° | refreshing |
| OctoberOct | 22.4° | 21.9° | 22.8° | refreshing |
| NovemberNov | 23.6° | 23.2° | 24.1° | pleasant |
| DecemberDec | 24.8° | 24.2° | 25.2° | pleasant |
Sunshine
Sunshine hours in Richards Bay
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 5.8 of 12.7 hours of daylight in Richards Bay, 46 % 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 in Richards Bay: 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, Richards Bay has about 12 rainy days with 80 mm of rain in total.
UV index
UV index in Richards Bay
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 10 · very highStay in the shade around midday; SPF 50, clothing, hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in December (UV 12).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 15 min
- Fair skin
- about 15 min
- Light brown skin
- about 25 min
- Olive skin
- about 30 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 and clouds in Richards Bay
How breezy and how cloudy Richards Bay 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.
In October, the wind in Richards Bay typically peaks at 27 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.
In October, cloud covers on average 59 % of the sky over Richards Bay: variable cloud, with about 5.8 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 and humidity in Richards Bay
How often the day gets hot in Richards Bay (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.
Heat calendar
- pleasant
- some hot or muggy days
- often muggy
- often hot
- hot and muggy
In October, Richards Bay has about 6 hot days, with an average daytime high of 26 °C: some hot or muggy days. Single hot or muggy days are possible; a hat and water bottle are enough.
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 Richards Bay
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Richards Bay 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.
Richards Bay has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 86) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 59).
- 67
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Good
- 28 °C by day
- Sea 26 °C
- 6.2 h of sun a day
- 12 rainy days a month
- 85
May half-term
May – Jun
Excellent
- 26 °C by day
- Sea 24 °C
- 6.6 h of sun a day
- 7 rainy days a month
Good for: Beach & swimming, Sightseeing & walks
- 86
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
ExcellentBest holidays
- 25 °C by day
- Sea 22 °C
- 6.4 h of sun a day
- 7 rainy days a month
Good for: Beach & swimming, Sightseeing & walks
- 72
October half-term
Oct
Good
- 26 °C by day
- Sea 22 °C
- 5.8 h of sun a day
- 12 rainy days a month
- 59
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Fair
- 29 °C by day
- Sea 25 °C
- 6.7 h of sun a day
- 13 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 11 h 55 min
- Distance
- 9,470 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
Compare with another place
Richards Bay compared
Put Richards Bay side by side with another destination.
Richards Bay vs St Lucia
In October the holiday weather in Richards Bay and St Lucia is about equally good (score 72 vs 75). During the day St Lucia is 1 °C cooler than Richards Bay. The sea in St Lucia is 1 °C warmer.
| in October | Richards Bay | St Lucia |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 72 | 75 |
| Daytime high | 26° | 25° |
| Sea | 22° | 23° |
| Sunshine | 6 h | 6 h |
| Rainy days | 12 | 11 |
| Best time | May – Oct | Apr – Dec |
Through the year
Best places in the country
South Africa in October: the best places
In October, Richards Bay ranks 18 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Polokwane27°91
- 2Middelburg27°86
- 3Soweto26°86
- 4Krugersdorp26°86
- 5Johannesburg26°85
- 6Mbombela27°82
- 7Witbank26°82
- 8Welkom29°82
- 18Richards BayThis page26°22°72
Places nearby
Near Richards Bay
Other destinations close by.
Places with a similar climate
Places with a climate like Richards Bay
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Richards Bay's – good alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about Richards Bay
When is the best time to visit Richards Bay?
The best time to visit Richards Bay is from May to October. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Richards Bay?
The sea temperature in Richards Bay ranges from 21.6 °C in August to 26.6 °C in February. At 20 °C and more, the sea is warm enough for swimming all year round.
Can you swim in Richards Bay in October?
Yes. In October the sea averages 22.4 °C – refreshing for a swim.
What is the warmest month in Richards Bay?
January is the warmest month, with average highs of 30 °C and nights around 22 °C. July is the coolest month at 24 °C.
When does it rain most in Richards Bay?
The rainy season is from January to February; the wettest month is January with 121 mm. The driest month is August with 36 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Richards Bay get?
Richards Bay gets around 2,330 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is January with 7.0 hours a day; in October there are 5.8 hours a day.
What time zone is Richards Bay in?
Richards Bay is on UTC+2 all year.
How long is the flight from London to Richards Bay?
A nonstop flight from London to Richards Bay takes about 11 h 55 min, for a straight-line distance of about 9,470 km. Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.
Which school holidays are best for Richards Bay?
Richards Bay has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 86) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 59). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 67, May half-term 85, summer holidays 86, October half-term 72, Christmas holidays 59.