Cape Town weather in May
Cape Town averages 20°C by day and 12°C at night in May, with the sea at 14°C and 7 days with at least 1 mm of rain. It cools by about 2°C into June.
Day
20°C
Night
12°C
Sea
14°C
Rainy days
7
Flight from London
12h
What May feels like
May is mild in Cape Town: good for exploring, not reliably beach weather.
The sea is 14°C: cold for swimming, so plan on a heated pool.
Expect some rain: about 7 days with at least 1 mm.
Of the 48 sun destinations we track, Cape Town is the #47 warmest in May.
Want it warmer in May?
These are hotter than Cape Town this month for at most an hour and a half more flying:
Cape Town weather by month
May is highlighted. Compare with April and June, or see the full year in Cape Town.
Cape Town in May: quick answers
Is Cape Town hot in May?
May is mild in Cape Town: good for exploring, not reliably beach weather. Average highs are 20°C and lows 12°C.
Can you swim in Cape Town in May?
The sea is 14°C: cold for swimming, so plan on a heated pool.
Does it rain in Cape Town in May?
Expect some rain: about 7 days with at least 1 mm.
What is the warmest month in Cape Town?
February, at an average high of 26°C. The coolest is July at 17°C.
How long is the flight to Cape Town from the UK?
About 12h direct from London, estimated from the 9,672 km distance. Check your airline for exact times.
Still choosing? See where is hot in May for every destination ranked by temperature, sea and flight time.
How we measured this
Averages of every day in May from 2016 to 2025, from the Open-Meteo historical weather archive (ECMWF ERA5 reanalysis). Sea temperature is the 2023 to 2025 average from the Open-Meteo marine archive. A rainy day has at least 1 mm of rain. Reanalysis describes an area about 25 km across, so sheltered resorts can run a degree or two warmer. Flight time is a distance-based estimate from London Heathrow.
Planning Cape Town in May?
Save the restaurants, beaches and views you find on TikTok and Instagram for Cape Town straight to a map, then let Dream Trip turn them into a day-by-day plan.
