When to go · Cape Town
Cape Town in August
Mixed month. Rain and wind; some cableway closures.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C) / 8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 12
- Crowds
- Medium
- South Africa overall
- Prices
- Medium
- South Africa overall
Verdict
Rain and wind; some cableway closures.
All twelve months in one grid — weather, crowds and prices, with gaps left as unknown.
Is another month better than August?
August is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
Weather in August
- Cape TownHighs around 18 °C (64 °F), lows around 8 °C (46 °F), rain on about 12 daysHighs around 64 °F (18 °C), lows around 46 °F (8 °C), rain on about 12 days
- Western Cape, South Africa · Cape Town, Winelands, Hermanus, Cederbergrainy
Mediterranean: dry, windy summers (the south-easter can close the cableway), wet cold fronts June–August. Whales off Hermanus about June–November.
Winter season
Cold fronts and rain alternating with clear, calm days; whale season begins.
Watch: Pack a proper rain layer; check the cableway status daily.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Whale season
False Bay, Atlantic coast, Hermanus
Land-based whale watching; peaks Aug–Sep.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · South Africa overall
- Medium
- Prices · South Africa overall
- Medium
South Africa overall: Namaqualand flowers start late in the month; Kruger excellent.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Cape Town, side by side.
Verdict
Aug: Mixed
Feb: Great (better)
Daytime high
Aug: 18 °C (64 °F)64 °F (18 °C)
Feb: 27 °C (81 °F)81 °F (27 °C)
Night low
Aug: 8 °C (46 °F)46 °F (8 °C)
Feb: 16 °C (61 °F)61 °F (16 °C)
Rain days
Aug: 12
Feb: 3 (better)
Crowds
Aug: Medium
Feb: Medium
Prices
Aug: Medium
Feb: High
Festivals listed
Aug: 1
Feb: 2
August: Rain and wind; some cableway closures.
February: Hot and dry; the cableway can close in wind.
Cape Town: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm layer for the evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast