When to go to Cape Town

Cape Town trip in February

For a bit of culture visit the colourful Bo Kaap or Robben Island, the jail that housed Nelson Mandela for 27 years.

This is the hottest month of the year in Cape Town, with little to no rain expected and occasional winds.

One of the best months to head to the beach, for a little sunshine relaxation with the festive season crowds now gone and the ocean water at its warmest.

Summiting Table Mountain is approximately a 2 hour journey, via Platteklip Gorge, its shortest route. For those looking for a less arduous journey take the cable car to the top.

Warm summer nights at the world famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, provide a unique setting to showcase the best of local and international talents throughout the dry season

Cape Town trip in March

In this month rain is unlikely with long hours of sunlight and the potential for windy afternoons.

Head to the picturesque beaches with white sand, deep blue oceans and fresh seafood readily available.

If you are going to climb Table Mountain, leave first thing in the morning, or catch the cable car and enjoy a meal overlooking Cape Town.

Warm summer nights at the world famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, provide a unique setting to showcase the best of local and international talents throughout the dry season.

Meet the 'Mother City' by helicopter providing a unique bird's eye view of her natural and architectural beauty.

Cape Town trip in April

In Cape Town temperatures are mild and comfortable at this time of year, with the first rains of the season in the form of occasional showers.

Take advantage of the last of the dry season's weather by heading to the beach and soaking in a few rays before indulging in a freshly caught seafood platter.

If you get your timing right the perfect month to climb Table Mountain with cooling temperatures, enjoy sweeping views of the city and harbour and sea beyond.

The odd day of rain is not wasted with beautiful coastal roads or a trip along the famed Chapman's Peak Drive.

For a bit of culture visit the colourful Bo Kaap, Rands in Khayelitsha a festive township restaurant or Robben Island the jail that housed Nelson Mandela for 27 years.

Cape Town trip in May

Expect some rain in Cape Town over the course of a lengthy stay, with day length shortening and temperatures remaining mild.

The shift in the weather means beach relaxation is not always an option, leaving the many boutique shops and beachfront eateries a must, especially in the nearby coastal towns of St James and Kalk Bay.

This is the perfect time of year to indulge the taste buds with culinary delights and wine tastings, both readily available with relatively few tourists around.

The indoor markets bursting with fresh produce and homemade delights combine well with cultural explorations or a trip to the trendy V&A Waterfront.

If you are wanting a little adventure the winter months are considered to be the best for Great White shark cage diving, with the sharks at their most active.

Cape Town trip in June

The wet season has arrived with almost half the days experiencing some rain with temperatures dropping and evenings becoming quite chilly.

With the high potential for poor weather, coastal explorations are great way to stay dry, while enjoying beach views, fresh seafood and the numerous boutique shops and stores in towns like Kalk Bay and St James.

Take advantage of the relatively low densities of tourists and indulge your senses with local culture, the finest cuisine and wine farm tastings and pairings.

Visit the fresh food markets bursting with local flavours, local craft beers and the sounds of home grown talent.

This is the month for thrill seekers, cage dive with Great White sharks at their most active.

Cape Town trip in July

Cape Town is experiencing the peak of its wet season with colder temperatures and a one in two chance of rain.

The poor weather means beach relaxation is an unlikely option, leaving the many boutique shops and beachfront eateries a must, especially in the nearby coastal towns of St James and Kalk Bay.

This is the perfect time of year to indulge the taste buds with culinary delights and wine tastings, both readily available with relatively few tourists around.

The indoor markets bursting with fresh produce and homemade delights combine well with cultural explorations or a trip to the trendy V&A Waterfront.

Shark cage diving is at its best with Great Whites at their most active at this time of year.

Cape Town trip in August

In Cape Town it is still the wet season, with high chances of rainfall, lower average temperatures and cold nights.

Coastal explorations are great way to stay dry, while enjoying beach views, fresh seafood and the numerous boutique shops and stores in town like Kalk Bay and St James.

Take advantage of the relatively low densities of tourists and indulge your senses with local culture, the finest cuisine and wine farm tastings and pairings.

Visit the fresh food markets bursting with local flavours, local craft beers and the sounds of home grown talent.

Take a scenic drive to the blooming Namaqua wildflowers creating a sea of reds, oranges, whites and yellows.

Cape Town trip in September

The weather begins to shift, with less rain falling and a slight rise in average daytime temperatures, evenings still have the potential to be chilly.

Although there are a few days days of warm whether scattered across this month for beaching, we would recommend exploring the boutique shops and coastal town's famed for their quality seafood and rich culture.

Table Mountain awaits, whether it is on foot or by cable car that you reach its summit, the views are equally spectacular.

If you are wanting a little adventure the winter months are considered to be the best for Great White shark cage diving, with the sharks at their most active.

The seasonal wild flowers of the Namaqua region are in bloom producing waves of orange and yellow.

Cape Town trip in October

Enjoy the first days of the warm dry summer, temperatures climb and the last of the seasonal rains fall in the form of sporadic afternoon showers.

Take advantage of the first days of the dry season by heading to the beach and soaking in a few rays before indulging in a freshly caught seafood platter.

Cape Town's most prominent feature, Table Mountain, enjoys prime hiking conditions with the cable car an ideal alternative.

This is the month for thrill seekers, with paragliding from the top of table mountain, sky diving and shark cage diving with Great Whites at its best.

Cape Town trip in November

In this month the days are warm and sunny with patches of wind and little to no chance of rain.

Get down to the beaches of Cape Town with fine white sand and deep blue oceans.

For a bit of culture visit the colourful Bo Kaap, Mzoli's Place a festive township restaurant or Robben Island the jail that housed Nelson Mandela for 27 years.

Cape point and the West Coast National Park are rich in local history and natural beauty and close enough to the CBD to explore in a morning.

Warm summer nights of late November at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, provide a unique setting to showcase the best of local and international talents.

Cape Town trip in December

Enjoy ideal weather with hot sunny days, very little rain and the potential for short-lived gusty winds.

For beach relaxation and a seafood delight head to Camps Bay or Clifton, just two of Cape Town's popular beach locations.

Take in the local hot spots by hopping on and off the the City Sightseeing Tour buses which drive through the centre of town, stopping at Table Mountain, The Waterfront and nine other local attractions.

Meet the 'Mother City' by helicopter providing a unique bird's eye view of her natural and architectural beauty.

Warm summer nights at the world famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, provide a unique setting to showcase the best of local and international talents throughout the dry season.