Swakopmund in January

In January, Swakopmund averages 24°C (74°F) during the day and 17°C (62°F) at night, with only about 2 rainy days.

Peak season

Conditions are comfortable for sightseeing without being sweltering. Skies are generally dry and clear.

January is a great month to visit Swakopmund: pleasant temperatures and relatively few wet days.

24°C
Avg high
17°C
Avg low
2
Rain days
7 mm
Rainfall

How January compares to the rest of the year in Swakopmund

7th
warmest month of the 12
1st
wettest month of the 12
32%
of yearly rainfall falls in January
13 h 22 min
daylight on the 15th

January is in the middle of the year for warmth in Swakopmund (7th of 12) and one of the wettest months (1st of 12). Daytime temperature runs 1°C above the annual average (23°C). January runs 1°C warmer than December (22°C) and stays flat into February.

January sunrise & sunset in Swakopmund

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:29 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
7:52 PM
Day length
13 h 22 min

Times shown for Swakopmund local time (Africa/Windhoek), calculated for the 15th of January. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Swakopmund — January

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:29 AM – 6:09 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:09 AM – 7:09 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
7:12 PM – 8:12 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
8:12 PM – 8:52 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Poor
Core barely rises (or hasn't yet returned for the season). Consider a different month.

📅 When to book — Swakopmund in January

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 January's tier (Peak season) and Swakopmund's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
3-5 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
3-5 months
Reasonable selection still available at 3-4 months out, but central locations vanish first.
⚠ Christmas / New Year travel is a global premium-pricing event — many destinations 30-50% above normal. Book 4+ months ahead if your dates are Dec 20 - Jan 2.

Crowds & pricing — January in Swakopmund

Peak season

Swakopmund 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 — January in Swakopmund

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
13
Extreme
Stay indoors during midday hours; SPF 50+ even briefly outside, UPF clothing, wide-brim hat, sunglasses essential.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●○○○
Low
Mosquitoes present but manageable. Pack repellent (DEET 10-20%) for evenings near water.

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.

Swakopmund in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 24°C / 74°F 17°C / 62°F 7 mm 2
February 24°C / 75°F 17°C / 62°F 5 mm 1
March 24°C / 75°F 16°C / 60°F 3 mm 1
April 25°C / 76°F 15°C / 60°F 3 mm 1
May 25°C / 76°F 14°C / 57°F 1 mm 0
June 24°C / 75°F 13°C / 55°F 0 mm 0
July 24°C / 75°F 12°C / 53°F 0 mm 0
August 21°C / 70°F 10°C / 50°F 0 mm 0
September 20°C / 68°F 10°C / 51°F 0 mm 0
October 21°C / 69°F 12°C / 53°F 0 mm 0
November 22°C / 72°F 13°C / 56°F 1 mm 0
December 22°C / 72°F 15°C / 58°F 2 mm 0

Other cities with similar January weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Swakopmund in January →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Swakopmund in January?

In January, Swakopmund averages a high of 24°C (74°F) and a low of 17°C (62°F) — generally warm.

Does it rain a lot in Swakopmund in January?

January is generally dry in Swakopmund, with about 2 rainy days on average.

Is January a good time to visit Swakopmund?

January 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 Swakopmund in January?

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

Open Swakopmund on the interactive map

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