 |
When to visit Cape Town |
 |
|
Happenings
- Cape Town buzzes with both straight and gay events and
festivals all year round, from outdoor performances in the Company Gardens
in January to the Queers by Candlelight carol service in December.
Weather
- Gay travelers from around the world are drawn to Cape Town has for its gentle
climate. The Cape enjoys mild winters and pleasant summers and rarely experiencing
great extremes of temperature. The winter season (June to August) can be quite
wet. The famous Cape Doctor is Cape Town´s nickname for the south easterly
wind that gusts through the Cape during the spring and summer months. You´ll
know that its blowing when you see Cape Town´s landmark – Table
Mountain – covered with a “table cloth” of white cloud... and
for all you gay guys and girls who like to be coiffed, be sure to pack lots
of hair spray!
- For those wanting to hit Cape Town´s fabulous gay and lesbian beaches,
December to March are the best times to visit. December is the busiest time
in Cape Town as most South Africans are on holiday.
- Summer temperatures in December to February range from around 15 to 27 degrees
Celsius (60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit), whilst in the winter months of June
to August average temperatures are between 7 to 20 degrees Celsius (45 to
70 degrees Fahrenheit). Rainfall is moderate throughout the year and there
are refreshing sea breezes, which can sometimes turn a little bracing during
the winter.
Month |
Temperature (°C) |
Rainfall |
Wind Speed (Knots) |
|||
Mean daily max |
Mean daily min |
Mean monthly (mm) |
Days with 1mm rain or more |
Mean at 0800 |
Mean at 1400 |
|
| Jan | 26.1 | 15.6 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 15 |
| Feb | 26.3 | 15.4 | 17 | 7 | 6 | 15 |
| Mar | 25.3 | 14.1 | 19 | 7 | 5 | 13 |
| Apr | 22.9 | 11.7 | 39 | 10 | 4 | 10 |
| May | 19.8 | 9.4 | 74 | 17 | 4 | 9 |
| Jun | 18.0 | 7.7 | 92 | 18 | 5 | 9 |
| Jul | 17.4 | 6.9 | 70 | 15 | 6 | 10 |
| Aug | 17.6 | 7.3 | 75 | 16 | 5 | 11 |
| Sep | 19.2 | 8.6 | 39 | 13 | 6 | 12 |
| Oct | 21.3 | 10.4 | 37 | 9 | 8 | 15 |
| Nov | 23.6 | 12.9 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 16 |
| Dec | 25.1 | 14.9 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 15 |
| Mean | 21.9 | 11.2 | 6 | 12 | ||
| S.A. Navy - 1998 stats for Airport | ||||||
- These statistics refer to Cape Town airport.
- Humidity ranges from 63% average in the summer months to 79% in July.
- The Winelands are stiller and somewhat hotter.
- Temperatures are cooler in the South Peninsula. Wind speeds at Cape Point are significantly stronger.