Cape Town in December
In December, Cape Town averages 25°C (77°F) during the day and 15°C (59°F) at night, with only about 4 rainy days.
Peak seasonConditions are comfortable for sightseeing without being sweltering. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.
December is a great month to visit Cape Town: pleasant temperatures and relatively few wet days.
How December compares to the rest of the year in Cape Town
December is in the middle of the year for warmth in Cape Town (4th of 12) and one of the driest months (12th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 3°C above the annual average (22°C). December runs 1°C warmer than November (24°C) and warms a further 1°C into January (26°C).
December sunrise & sunset in Cape Town
Times shown for Cape Town local time (Africa/Johannesburg), calculated for the 15th of December. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.
Photography light in Cape Town — December
Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of December, in Cape Town's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).
📅 When to book — Cape Town in December
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 December's tier (Peak season) and Cape Town's popularity.
Crowds & pricing — December in Cape Town
Cape Town is in peak season during this month — expect bigger crowds at famous sights, higher hotel and flight prices, and longer queues. Restaurant reservations a few days out are advisable, and any boutique hotels you have your eye on should be booked weeks ahead. The trade-off: most attractions, restaurants, and seasonal services are fully open, the weather is at its most reliable, and the city feels at its most alive.
Why this tier: excellent tourism weather
Sun & mosquito risk — December in Cape Town
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 — December
Cape Town's sea temperature barely shifts through the year — within 1.6°C of itself, month to month.
Cape Town in other months
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rain days | Snow 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 December weather
🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Cape Town in December →
Frequently asked questions
How hot is Cape Town in December?
In December, Cape Town averages a high of 25°C (77°F) and a low of 15°C (59°F) — generally warm.
Does it rain a lot in Cape Town in December?
December is generally dry in Cape Town, with about 4 rainy days on average.
Is December a good time to visit Cape Town?
December is warm and mostly dry. It suits travelers who are comfortable with warm weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.
What should I pack for Cape Town in December?
Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings. See the full December packing list for Cape Town for a complete, climate-based checklist.
Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.