Cape Town in March

In March, Cape Town averages 25°C (77°F) during the day and 14°C (57°F) at night, with around 5 days of rain (20 mm total).

High season

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

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

25°C
Avg high
14°C
Avg low
5
Rain days
20 mm
Rainfall

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

3rd
warmest month of the 12
8th
wettest month of the 12
4%
of yearly rainfall falls in March
12 h 20 min
daylight on the 15th

March is one of the warmest months in Cape Town (3rd of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (8th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 3°C above the annual average (22°C). March runs 2°C cooler than February (27°C) and cools 2°C in April (23°C).

March sunrise & sunset in Cape Town

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:45 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
7:05 PM
Day length
12 h 20 min

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

Photography light in Cape Town — March

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:45 AM – 6:25 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:25 AM – 7:25 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
6:25 PM – 7:25 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
7:25 PM – 8:05 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 March

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 March'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 — March 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 — March in Cape Town

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
10.5
Very high
Limit sun exposure between 11 AM and 3 PM; SPF 30-50, reapply every 90 minutes outdoors.
🦟 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 — March

15.1°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 March weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Cape Town in March?

In March, Cape Town averages a high of 25°C (77°F) and a low of 14°C (57°F) — generally warm.

Does it rain a lot in Cape Town in March?

March sees occasional rain in Cape Town, with about 5 rainy days on average.

Is March a good time to visit Cape Town?

March 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 March?

Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings. See the full March 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.