canIswim

Sea temperature and swimming season in South Africa

When the sea is warm enough to swim in 15 coastal cities in South Africa.

CityWarmestColdestSwimming season
Cape Town 16.4°C Feb 14.3°C Apr never comfortable
Durban 26.3°C Feb 21.1°C Aug all year
Gqeberha 20.8°C Feb 17.0°C Jul Dec – Mar (4 months)
East London 23.3°C Feb 19.8°C Sep all year
Richards Bay 26.9°C Feb 21.5°C Aug all year
Somerset West 18.7°C Feb 14.4°C Aug never comfortable
George 21.8°C Feb 16.0°C Jul Dec – Mar (4 months)
Mossel Bay 21.7°C Feb 15.8°C Jul Dec – Mar (4 months)
Knysna 21.1°C Feb 16.7°C Aug Dec – Mar (4 months)
Saldanha 16.3°C Feb 14.8°C Aug never comfortable
Tongaat 25.9°C Feb 20.7°C Aug all year
Plettenberg Bay 21.0°C Feb 16.8°C Aug Dec – Mar (4 months)
Jeffreys Bay 20.4°C Feb 17.4°C Aug Dec – Mar (4 months)
Port Alfred 20.4°C Feb 17.9°C Sep Dec – May (6 months)
Port Saint John’s 26.0°C Feb 21.1°C Aug all year

Season uses 19°C. Why that number, and where the data comes from