When to go · Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth in May

Good month. Outside the best window (Oct–Apr (warm, dry-ish beach weather); whale watching Jun–Nov). Across South Africa: Dry season starts in Kruger; first Cape rains. Good value.

Key facts

Verdict: Good
Temperature: 22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) / 11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C); average high / low
Rain days: 7
Crowds: Low; South Africa overall
Prices: Low; South Africa overall

Plan around it

Verdict

GoodSouth Africa month rating

Outside the best window (Oct–Apr (warm, dry-ish beach weather); whale watching Jun–Nov). Across South Africa: Dry season starts in Kruger; first Cape rains. Good value.

Is another month better than May?

May is rated good. These months rate higher:

Weather in May

Long-term averages

Port ElizabethHighs around 22 °C (72 °F), lows around 11 °C (52 °F), rain on about 7 daysHighs around 72 °F (22 °C), lows around 52 °F (11 °C), rain on about 7 days

Crowds and prices

Crowds · South Africa overall: Low
Prices · South Africa overall: Low

South Africa overall: Dry season starts in Kruger; first Cape rains. Good value.

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Port Elizabeth, side by side.

First month

Second month

Verdict
May: Good
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 22 °C (72 °F)72 °F (22 °C)
Jan: 26 °C (79 °F)79 °F (26 °C)
Night low
May: 11 °C (52 °F)52 °F (11 °C)
Jan: 17 °C (63 °F)63 °F (17 °C)
Rain days
May: 7 (better)
Jan: 8
Crowds
May: Low
Jan: High
Prices
May: Low
Jan: High
Festivals listed
May: 0
Jan: 0

May: Outside the best window (Oct–Apr (warm, dry-ish beach weather); whale watching Jun–Nov). Across South Africa: Dry season starts in Kruger; first Cape rains. Good value.

January: Inside Port Elizabeth's best window: Oct–Apr (warm, dry-ish beach weather); whale watching Jun–Nov.

Port Elizabeth: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

A warm layer for the evenings

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Across South Africa in May →