Cape Town November — African penguins gathered on the shore at Boulders Beach, Simon's Town, in spring sun

Cape Town · South Africa

November

Summer opens — warm, sunny, and 30% cheaper than December.

Best match

#6 of 12 months

There are better months for Cape Town — see the full ranking below.

See when to go instead →

Climate

High

23.7°C

Low

14.1°C

Rain

20mm

Sun

9.5hrs/day

30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5

How November scores in Cape Town

Weather
Outstanding
Value
Above average
Crowds
Above average
Events
Above average
Atmosphere
Excellent

What you gain in November

  • Summer conditions arriving: 24°C, 9.5 hours of sunshine, sea temperature rising to 18–19°C
  • Boulders Beach African penguin colony at Simonstown: accessible and uncrowded before Christmas
  • Kirstenbosch summer concerts begin: outdoor music in the botanical garden against Table Mountain

What you sacrifice

  • SE wind (Cape Doctor) increasing: some beach days disrupted by strong afternoon gusts
  • Prices rising sharply from mid-November as the summer season accelerates
  • Accommodation books out fast for December and January — November is the last month to book ahead without pressure

How November compares to September (best month)

FactorNovemberSeptember
Weather
9
7
Value
5
7
Crowds
5
7

November in other destinations

Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within Cape Town, not across destinations. Methodology →