Cape Town in April

In April, Cape Town averages 23°C (73°F) during the day and 12°C (54°F) at night, with around 8 days of rain (41 mm total).

High season

Conditions are comfortable for sightseeing without being sweltering. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.

April is a great month to visit Cape Town: pleasant temperatures and relatively few wet days.

23°C
Avg high
12°C
Avg low
8
Rain days
41 mm
Rainfall

How April compares to the rest of the year in Cape Town

6th
warmest month of the 12
5th
wettest month of the 12
8%
of yearly rainfall falls in April
11 h 15 min
daylight on the 15th

April is in the middle of the year for warmth in Cape Town (6th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (5th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 1°C above the annual average (22°C). April runs 2°C cooler than March (25°C) and cools 3°C in May (20°C).

April sunrise & sunset in Cape Town

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
7:08 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
6:23 PM
Day length
11 h 15 min

Times shown for Cape Town local time (Africa/Johannesburg), calculated for the 15th of April. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Cape Town — April

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of April, in Cape Town's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
6:08 AM – 6:48 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:48 AM – 7:48 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
5:43 PM – 6:43 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
6:43 PM – 7:23 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Fair
Core only briefly above the horizon — a marginal month even from dark sites near Cape Town.

📅 When to book — Cape Town in April

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on April's tier (High season) and Cape Town's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
3-4 months
Prices are above off-season but not the absolute peak. Tuesday/Wednesday departures are usually cheaper than weekend ones.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
3-5 months
Wide selection still available at this lead time. Premium properties book first; consider 'last-minute deal' availability at 2-week mark if your dates are flexible.

Crowds & pricing — April in Cape Town

High season

This is a busy month in Cape Town — not the absolute peak, but tourist numbers are clearly elevated. You'll feel it at headline attractions on weekends and in the historic centre, though side streets and lesser-known sights stay manageable. Prices are above off-season but not at their summit. A good week for first-time visitors who want everything open without the worst of the crush.

Why this tier: excellent tourism weather

Sun & mosquito risk — April in Cape Town

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
8.5
Very high
Limit sun exposure between 11 AM and 3 PM; SPF 30-50, reapply every 90 minutes outdoors.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●○○
Moderate
Active mosquito season. DEET 25-30% repellent recommended, especially at dawn/dusk.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Sea temperature in Cape Town — April

13.8°C (57°F)
very cold
thick wetsuit; tolerable only for short dips

Cape Town's sea temperature barely shifts through the year — within 1.6°C of itself, month to month.

Cape Town in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 26°C / 79°F 16°C / 61°F 15 mm 4
February 27°C / 81°F 16°C / 61°F 17 mm 4
March 25°C / 77°F 14°C / 57°F 20 mm 5
April 23°C / 73°F 12°C / 54°F 41 mm 8
May 20°C / 68°F 9°C / 48°F 69 mm 10
June 18°C / 64°F 8°C / 46°F 93 mm 11
July 17°C / 63°F 7°C / 45°F 82 mm 12
August 18°C / 64°F 8°C / 46°F 77 mm 11
September 19°C / 66°F 9°C / 48°F 40 mm 8
October 21°C / 70°F 11°C / 52°F 30 mm 7
November 24°C / 75°F 13°C / 55°F 14 mm 5
December 25°C / 77°F 15°C / 59°F 17 mm 4

Other cities with similar April weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Cape Town in April →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Cape Town in April?

In April, Cape Town averages a high of 23°C (73°F) and a low of 12°C (54°F) — generally mild and pleasant.

Does it rain a lot in Cape Town in April?

April sees occasional rain in Cape Town, with about 8 rainy days on average.

Is April a good time to visit Cape Town?

April is mild and pleasant. It suits travelers who are comfortable with mild and pleasant weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Cape Town in April?

Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings. See the full April packing list for Cape Town for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Cape Town on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.