What is the weather like in Cape Town in May?

Expect temperatures between 11°C and 20°C with 17% average rain probability and about 8 hours of sunshine daily.

What is the weather like in Cape Town in May?

Cape Town in May scores 61/100 based on 30 years of climate data. Good option with minor considerations.

Who should visit Cape Town in May?

May in Cape Town is ideal for: Outdoor enthusiasts, Cultural tourists, Honeymoon couples, Business travelers, Adventure seekers.

Cape Town Weather in May | 30-Year Forecast

Avg High

20°C

Hottest around day 1

Avg Low

11°C

Coolest around day 30

Rainy Days

6days

17% avg rain chance

Sunshine

8hrs/day

Spring season

Sea Temperature in May

Atlantic Ocean

13.9°C

Monthly Average

Water Feel

🥶Polar Plunge

Consider a wetsuit for extended swimming

Swim Rating

❄️Cold water hazard

Based on average sea surface temperature

Body of Water

Atlantic Ocean

Cape Town coastline

Essential Travel Info for Cape Town

🗓️ Best Time to Visit 📖 Travel Guide 🍴 Food Guide

Currency

ZAR

R South African rand

Language

Afrikaans

+10 more

Driving

Left side

Connect

Many carriers (especially in Europe) cha...

Safety

Moderate Safety

GPI: 2.283

Travel Intelligence

Exclusive flight analytics & health data for Cape Town

Smart Flight Estimator

Airport-to-Airport Logistics

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Flight Connectivity Analysis

Airport traffic data & seasonal patterns

Moderate

43/ 100

Traffic Index

Balanced traffic

Peak Daily Arrivals

slots per day

Peak

Jan

Low

Oct

Monthly Traffic Distribution

134

Jan

130

Feb

124

Mar

125

Apr

125

May

100

Jun

112

Jul

114

Aug

109

Sep

Oct

112

Nov

129

Dec

Traffic Level

Low Season

Key Connections

Jo'anna OR Tambo (JNB)

Durban King Shaka (DUR)

Port Elizabeth (PLZ)

George (GRJ)

Hoedspruit Air Force Base (HDS)

Health & Safety Advisory

CDC travel health recommendations

9 Recommendations

COVID-19

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please seeYour COVID-19 Vaccinationfor more information.

Cholera

There is no longer active cholera transmission and vaccine is not recommended.

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to South Africa.Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.Travelers allergic to a vaccine component should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, are immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to South Africa. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to South Africa.

Malaria

CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of South Africa take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.Transmission areasAlong the border with Mozambique and ZimbabweKwaZulu-Natal Province: uMkhanyakude District; the districts of King Cetshwayo and Zululand (few cases)Limpopo Province: the districts of Mopani and Vhembe; the districts of Capricorn, Greater Sekhukhune, and Waterberg (few cases)Mpumalanga Province: Ehlanzeni DistrictKruger National ParkDrug resistanceChloroquineSpeciesP. falciparum(primarily)P. malariae,P. ovale, andP. vivax(less commonly)Recommended chemoprophylaxisKwaZulu-Natal Province (uMkhanyakude District); Limpopo Province (the districts of Mopani and Vhembe); Mpumalanga Province (Ehlanzeni District); and Kruger National Park: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, tafenoquine2All other areas with malaria transmission (including the districts of King Cetshwayo and Zululand in KwaZulu-Natal Province, and the districts of Capricorn, Greater Sekhukhune, and Waterberg in Limpopo Province): No chemoprophylaxis recommended (insect bite precautions and mosquito avoidance only)4Updated April 23, 2025See footnotes

Measles

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according toCDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.

+3 more

Source: CDC Travelers' Health

View Complete Health Guide

Is May a Good Time to Visit Cape Town?

👌Good option with minor considerations(61/100)

Short Answer

Don't expect beach weather in Cape Town's May: 13.9°C cold seas despite 20°C air temps. Coastal scenery remains beautiful, just pack warm layers.

Decision Factors

Vaccinations required

Yellow Fever

Very high humidity

80% average humidity

Rough sea conditions

2.98m average wave height - Surfers Only

Peak tourist season

93% of annual peak - expect crowds and peak prices

Ideal temperature range

20°C - perfect for sightseeing and outdoor activities

Cold sea - swimming challenging

13.9°C sea temperature - Polar Plunge

Good For

🥾
Outdoor enthusiasts
Ideal hiking conditions: 20°C, 17% rain chance
🏛️
Cultural tourists
Comfortable conditions for exploring museums and sites
💑
Honeymoon couples
Wedding score 97/100 with romantic weather conditions
💼
Business travelers
Climate-controlled meetings unaffected by weather
🎯
Adventure seekers
2.98m waves - good for surfing and water sports

Who Should Avoid

🏖️
Beach lovers
Sea temperature only 13.9°C - too cold for comfortable swimming
💰
Budget travelers
Peak season means premium prices everywhere
👴
Elderly travelers
80% humidity creates difficult conditions

"According to 30YearWeather's analysis of 30 years of NASA POWER satellite data,Cape Town in May averages 20°C with 17% precipitation probability."

📊 Source: 30YearWeather.com🛰️ Data: NASA POWER (1991-2021)View Methodology →

Frequently Asked Questions: Cape Town in May

What are the temperatures in Cape Town in May?

Daytime highs average 20°C, nights drop to 11°C. Temperatures remain fairly consistent.

How many rainy days in Cape Town in May?

Expect around 6 days with measurable rainfall. Rain is unlikely to disrupt plans.

What to wear in Cape Town in May?

Layers are key. A medium-weight jacket and closed-toe shoes.

Is May peak season in Cape Town?

This is typically peak season with higher prices. Book 2-3 months ahead.

Cape Town Weather in May