Season guide · Cape Town · South Africa
Cape Town in spring
September–November: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Discott, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Wildflowers on the West Coast, peak whale season at Hermanus and warming days, with the southeaster returning in November. Expect highs up to 24°C (75°F) and lows around 9°C (48°F), with about 16 rainy days across September–November. November is among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- September–November
- Temperatures
- 9°C (48°F) to 24°C (75°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 16
- Sea
- 13°C (55°F) to 14°C (57°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in spring
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 19°C (66°F) | 9°C (48°F) | 7 | 11.9 h | 3/5 |
| October | 21°C (70°F) | 11°C (52°F) | 5 | 13 h | 3/5 |
| November | 24°C (75°F) | 13°C (55°F) | 4 | 13.9 h | 4/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 21°C (70°F) against a yearly 22°C (72°F), and 16 of the year's roughly 74 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in spring
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- September: Hermanus Whale Festival (usually late September)
- September: Heritage Day — national holiday (24 September)
- October: Cape Town Marathon (usually October)
- November: Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts usually begin (late November)
Make the most of the weather
Viewpoint · Signal Hill
Signal Hill
Arrive at least 45 minutes before sunset on summer evenings, when the parking area fills up.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Couples
- After dark
Waterfront · Sea Point
Sea Point Promenade
A paved seafront path of several kilometres runs from Mouille Point lighthouse past Sea Point to Bantry Bay, with lawns, outdoor gyms, playgrounds and public art.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Active
Beach · Muizenberg
Muizenberg Beach
Book a surf lesson in the morning before the wind picks up, and check the shark-spotter flag before swimming.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Active
- Outdoors
- Free
Nature · Table Mountain National Park
Table Mountain and the Aerial Cableway
The flat-topped mountain rises about 1,085 metres above the City Bowl.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Views
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Nature
Garden · Newlands
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Bring a picnic; the lawns below the mountain are one of the best places in the city for a long afternoon.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Kids
- Couples
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Day trips in spring
- Hermanus (About 1 hour 30 minutes by car) — From roughly June to November, southern right whales come close to the cliffs of Walker Bay, and the cliff path through Hermanus is one of the best places in the world for land-based whale watching.
- West Coast National Park (About 1 hour 30 minutes by car) — The Langebaan Lagoon park has turquoise water, birdlife and white beaches, and in August and September the Postberg section bursts with wildflowers.
What to pack
- Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is spring a good time to visit Cape Town?
Yes: November is among the best months. Wildflowers on the West Coast, peak whale season at Hermanus and warming days, with the southeaster returning in November.
+What is the weather like in Cape Town in spring?
Highs of up to 24°C (75°F) and lows around 9°C (48°F), with about 16 rainy days over the season.