South Africa Cape Town Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in Cape Town is very-high
December is very-high for Cape Town.
Christmas-New Year peak — the most expensive period of the year. Korean and Western winter-escape overlap with South African summer holidays.
Travel score
Cape Town December Weather Stats
Avg High
26°C
Avg Low
15°C
Rainy Days
3
15mm total
Sunshine
11h
Daily avg
Humidity
65%
moderate
UV Index
11
Extreme
Wind
20 km/h
Gusts 40
Sea Temp
17°C
cold for swimming
Crowds
Very busy
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
15 μg/m³
PM10
28 μg/m³
Status
good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
27°C
Nighttime
15°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
20 km/h
Max gust 40 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Daytime 15-26°C
- Christmas-New Year travel window
- Long sunshine days
Cons
- Hotels at 2-3x off-peak rates
- Most expensive period of the year
December Events & Festivals
- Christmas-New Year peak
- Korean winter escape
Cape Town in December — Full Picture
Christmas-New Year peak — the most expensive period of the year. Korean and Western winter-escape overlap with South African summer holidays.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Light cottons.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
23°C
12°C
6.3/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
17.7°C
7.7°C
8.7/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
22°C
12°C
5.7/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current26.7°C
15.7°C
3.7/mo
Cape Town Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January (Best) | 27° | 16° | 4d·15mm | 11h | 65% | 11 | Very busy | Peak |
| February (Best) | 27° | 16° | 4d·20mm | 11h | 65% | 11 | Very busy | Peak |
| March (Best) | 26° | 14° | 5d·25mm | 10h | 70% | 10 | Very busy | Peak |
| April (Best) | 23° | 12° | 6d·50mm | 8h | 73% | 7 | Busy | Shoulder |
| 20° | 10° | 8d·100mm | 6h | 78% | 5 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 18° | 8° | 9d·110mm | 6h | 80% | 3 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 17° | 7° | 9d·90mm | 6h | 80% | 3 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 18° | 8° | 8d·80mm | 7h | 75% | 4 | Moderate | Low season | |
| 20° | 10° | 7d·50mm | 8h | 70% | 6 | Busy | Shoulder | |
| October (Best) | 22° | 12° | 6d·35mm | 10h | 70% | 9 | Busy | Shoulder |
| November (Best) | 24° | 14° | 4d·20mm | 11h | 65% | 10 | Very busy | Peak |
| December (Best) | 26° | 15° | 3d·15mm | 11h | 65% | 11 | Very busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Cape Town December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Cape Town?
Cape Town in December is very-high. Tourist crowds are very busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Cape Town in December?
Cape Town December averages a high of 26°C and a low of 15°C.
Does it rain much in Cape Town in December?
Cape Town December averages 15mm of rainfall over about 3 rainy days.
What should I wear in Cape Town in December?
Light cottons.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Cape Town in December?
Cape Town December sunrise is 05:30 and sunset is 19:55, with 14h 25min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Cape Town in December?
Cape Town December air quality (AQI) averages 40, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 15μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Cape Town in December?
In December, Cape Town is great for Table Mountain, Cape Point, Boulders Beach.
Is December peak season in Cape Town?
Cape Town December crowds are very busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Cape Town
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.