Hermanus, on South Africa’s Western Cape coast, enjoys a warm-summer Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The town experiences moderate temperatures year-round, abundant sunshine, and steady breezes. With long summer days, lush winter landscapes, and world-renowned whale watching, Hermanus is a favourite destination for nature lovers and beachgoers alike.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Hermanus features a warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csb), shaped by its coastal setting. Summers (December–February) are warm, dry, and mostly clear, with average highs of 24–28°C and lows of 15–17°C. February is typically the warmest month, and heatwaves can push temperatures above 30°C. Rainfall is minimal in summer – averaging 20–30 mm per month – and sunshine is abundant, with up to 10 hours per day. The ocean moderates the heat, and gentle breezes keep conditions pleasant.
Winters (June–August) are mild and wetter, with average highs of 16–18°C and lows of 8–10°C. July is the coldest month, but frost is rare. Rainfall peaks in winter, with monthly averages of 60–90 mm and 8–12 rainy days, but sunny intervals are common. Snow is extremely rare and confined to nearby mountains. Spring (September–November) and autumn (March–May) are transitional, with mild to warm temperatures (18–23°C), moderate rainfall, and blooming fynbos or colourful autumn foliage. Winds are present year-round, often picking up in the afternoons, and Hermanus enjoys about 2,800–4,000 hours of sunshine annually. Daylight ranges from just under 10 hours in winter to over 14 hours in midsummer.
| Average climate data for Hermanus, South Africa | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 23 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 23 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 18 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 11 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 18 | 13 | 19 | 23 | 18 | 47 | 31 | 35 | 15 | 20 | 18 | 13 | 270 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 11 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 114 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 76 | 76 | 77 | 73 | 76 | 75 | 74 | 76 | 76 | 77 | 75 | 76 | 76 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 21 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 21 | 20 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 20 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 18 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 32 | 30 | 33 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 29 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 32 | 31 |
| Average UV index | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
The best time to visit Hermanus is from September to November and March to May, when temperatures are mild (18–23°C), rainfall is moderate, and the town is vibrant with wildflowers, whale watching, and outdoor activities. These months offer comfortable weather, fewer crowds, and the best opportunities for nature and adventure.
The least favourable time to visit is during the wettest winter months (June to August), when rain is most frequent and days are shorter. While winters are mild and whale watching is excellent, outdoor activities can be limited by wet, windy, or cloudy weather, though the town remains atmospheric and lively.
Hermanus has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. Temperatures are moderate year-round, rainfall peaks in winter, and the town enjoys abundant sunshine and steady breezes.
The best time to visit is from September to November and March to May, when the weather is mild, rainfall is moderate, and whale watching, wildflowers, and outdoor activities are at their best.
Rainfall is moderate, with about 520–630 mm annually. Most rain falls in winter (June–August), averaging 60–90 mm per month, while summers are much drier with only 20–30 mm per month.
Summer highs in Hermanus typically reach 24–28°C, with February being the warmest month. Heatwaves above 30°C are possible but rare, and ocean breezes keep the air comfortable.
The sea is swimmable from late December to March, with temperatures around 16–19°C. The water is cooler than in tropical destinations, but summer sunshine and calm conditions make swimming and water sports popular.
Snow is extremely rare in Hermanus due to its mild coastal climate. On rare occasions, snow may fall on nearby mountains, but not in the town itself.
Yes, Hermanus is windy year-round, with breezes often picking up in the afternoons. Winds are generally gentle to moderate but can be brisk during storms, especially in winter and spring.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is February (23.4 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is August (16.1 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 19.5 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is February (18.4 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is August (11.4 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 14.8 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is January (20.1 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is August (15.3 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 17.6 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is June (46.6 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is February (12.9 mm). Over the whole year there are 269.9 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is March (12.3 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is October (7.2 days). Over the whole year there are 114 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is October (76.7 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is April (73.3 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 75.6 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is November (21.6 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is May (17.6 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 19.9 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is March (32.5 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is July (28.9 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 31 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is December (Average daylight: 14 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is June (Average daylight: 9.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.7 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 10 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is May (Average sunshine: 5.9 h). Over the whole year there are 8.1 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are January and February (UV index: 6). The months with the lowest average UV index are May, June, July, August and September (UV index: 4). Over the whole year the average UV index is 4.8.
