Weather in Cape Town in May
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Compare car hire prices → Affiliate link — we earn a commission at no extra cost to youMay in Cape Town is pleasantly mild, with average highs of 18.9°C and lows of 11.9°C. It is fairly wet (9 rainy days on average), with roughly 8.5 hours of sunshine a day. This is peak season for good reason — conditions are close to ideal. For the complete picture, see the best time to visit Cape Town — every month compared. Once you know when to go, find your Cape Town packing list at 247PackingList.
Get ready for Cape Town in May
Search flights to Cape Town
Compare 100+ airlines for May — one search, best price.
Search Flights →Travel clothing layers
Pack layers — temperatures can vary significantly between day and night.
Check Price →What to pack for Cape Town in May
- Warm layers
- Light jacket or fleece
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Light waterproof layer
Compare all months in Cape Town
| Month | High | Rain | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25.2°C | 19.2mm | 10/10 |
| February | 25.5°C | 12.8mm | 10/10 |
| March | 23.5°C | 50.2mm | 10/10 |
| April | 21.8°C | 33.9mm | 10/10 |
| May | 18.9°C | 90.8mm | 10/10 |
| June | 17.8°C | 161.5mm | 9/10 |
| July | 16.6°C | 92.5mm | 10/10 |
| August | 16.4°C | 101.4mm | 9/10 |
| September | 17.3°C | 63.7mm | 10/10 |
| October | 21.1°C | 30.0mm | 10/10 |
| November | 22.3°C | 29.7mm | 10/10 |
| December | 23.4°C | 32.2mm | 10/10 |
Full month-by-month guide: best time to visit Cape Town →
For facts about South Africa — currency, language and dialling code — see our South Africa country guide at 247CountryInfo. Travellers also find it useful to keep a Cape Town travel guide to hand. Check clothing sizes in South Africa before you shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is May a good time to visit Cape Town?
May rates 10/10 for visiting Cape Town — excellent time to visit. Expect average highs of 18.9°C, 90.8mm of rain across the month and about 8.5 hours of daily sunshine.
What is the temperature in Cape Town in May?
In May, Cape Town has average highs of 18.9°C (66.0°F) and average lows of 11.9°C (53.4°F).
Does it rain in Cape Town in May?
Some rain is likely. Cape Town averages 90.8mm across about 9 rainy days in May, so a light waterproof layer is worth packing.
What should I wear in Cape Town in May?
For Cape Town in May (18.9°C highs / 11.9°C lows), pack warm layers plus light jacket or fleece, comfortable walking shoes, light waterproof layer.
More essentials for Cape Town in May
Packing cubes
Keep the bag organised whatever the weather — compression cubes for every size.
Check Price →Travel first aid kit
Compact TSA-friendly kit for peace of mind wherever you travel.
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Climate data sourced from Open-Meteo (open source, open data licence). Monthly averages calculated from 2020–2023 historical data. Weather can be unpredictable — always check a live forecast before travelling.