Cape Town in February

In February, Cape Town averages 27°C (81°F) during the day and 16°C (61°F) at night, with only about 4 rainy days.

Peak season

Conditions are warm and beach-friendly. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.

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

27°C
Avg high
16°C
Avg low
4
Rain days
17 mm
Rainfall

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

1st
warmest month of the 12
11th
wettest month of the 12
3%
of yearly rainfall falls in February
13 h 18 min
daylight on the 15th

February is one of the warmest months in Cape Town (1st of 12) and one of the driest months (11th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 5°C above the annual average (22°C). February runs 1°C warmer than January (26°C) and cools 2°C in March (25°C).

February sunrise & sunset in Cape Town

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:21 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
7:39 PM
Day length
13 h 18 min

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

Photography light in Cape Town — February

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:21 AM – 6:01 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:01 AM – 7:01 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
6:59 PM – 7:59 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
7:59 PM – 8:39 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Poor
Core barely rises (or hasn't yet returned for the season). Consider a different month.

📅 When to book — Cape Town in February

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 February's tier (Peak season) and Cape Town's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
4-6 months
Flight prices are near their annual peak. Watch fare-alert tools, book directly when you see a fare under the typical range for this city.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
5-7 months
Boutique hotels and tourist-zone properties fill 6 months out. If you're looking at a specific named hotel or rental, book it the moment you can.

Crowds & pricing — February in Cape Town

Peak season

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 Southern Hemisphere summer holidays

Sun & mosquito risk — February in Cape Town

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
11.9
Extreme
Stay indoors during midday hours; SPF 50+ even briefly outside, UPF clothing, wide-brim hat, sunglasses essential.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●●○
High
Peak mosquito activity. DEET 30%+, long sleeves at dawn/dusk, sleep under nets if rural. Check current dengue/malaria advisories for the destination.

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 — February

15°C (59°F)
cold
wetsuit territory for most people

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 February weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Cape Town in February?

In February, Cape Town averages a high of 27°C (81°F) and a low of 16°C (61°F) — generally warm.

Does it rain a lot in Cape Town in February?

February is generally dry in Cape Town, with about 4 rainy days on average.

Is February a good time to visit Cape Town?

February 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 February?

Pack lightweight, breathable clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen. See the full February 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.