What is the current water temperature in Cape Town?

Q: What is the current water temperature in Cape Town?

As of now, in Cape Town, the water temperature is 14.75°C. Swimming in water of this temperature is considered as extremely cold, and there's a substantial risk of hypothermia if exposed for more than a brief duration.

South Africa > Cape Town

Water temperature in Cape Town

Detailed information about the current water temperature in Cape Town. The trend over the last two weeks, daily averages, and precise forecast of the water temperature changes. Gain a deeper understanding of seasonal dynamics with monthly statistical analyses covering recent years.

58.6

°F

January 13, 10:58

Trend:

decreasing

Yesterday:

60.6°F

Tomorrow:

58.5°F

Sunrise:

05:49

Sunset:

20:01

Day Length:

14 h. 12 min.

Cape Town in January

Minimum:

56.0°F

Average:

60.7°F

Maximum:

65.3°F

Sea water temperature in Cape Town today

As of now, in Cape Town, the water temperature is 58.6°F. Swimming in water of this temperature is considered as extremely cold, and there's a substantial risk of hypothermia if exposed for more than a brief duration. Today's reading is 2.8°F lower than the average recorded on this particular day in recent years. The sea temperature remains approximately unchanged from yesterday. According to the forecast, we expect the temperature to stay about the same.

Recent sea temperature and forecast

Today's reading indicates a minor change compared to the average water temperature of the last two weeks, but the overall trend remains steady. It is also close to the historical minimum temperature for this date. The maximum temperature recorded for this date was 65.0°F on 2016, while the historical minimum was 56.4°F on 2023.

latest data

last year

Over the last two weeks, the water temperature has stayed slightly lower than historical averages for those days. Over the next week, the forecast shows a steady trend, with temperatures staying close to the average of 58.8°F. Both minimum and maximum temperatures expected to be close to the average, offering a week of stable water conditions.

Daily water temperature in Cape Town

Date	Current Year actual* / forecast**	last year	10 years average
Jan 1	59.2°F	60.7°F	60.7°F
Jan 2	58.6°F	59.9°F	60.6°F
Jan 3	57.6°F	61.8°F	61.1°F
Jan 4	58.9°F	62.0°F	61.6°F
Jan 5	58.2°F	61.1°F	61.1°F
Jan 6	58.1°F	59.2°F	60.7°F
Jan 7	58.4°F	59.3°F	60.8°F
Jan 8	56.7°F	59.1°F	60.6°F
Jan 9	57.8°F	57.7°F	60.5°F
Jan 10	57.6°F	58.0°F	60.4°F
Jan 11	59.1°F	56.9°F	60.6°F
Jan 12	60.6°F	59.5°F	61.1°F
Jan 13	58.6°F	60.4°F	61.4°F
Jan 14	58.5°F	58.4°F	61.3°F
Jan 15	58.6°F	59.3°F	61.4°F
Jan 16	59.1°F	58.8°F	61.9°F
Jan 17	59.1°F	58.4°F	61.9°F
Jan 18	58.9°F	56.3°F	61.8°F
Jan 19	58.8°F	54.1°F	61.6°F
Jan 20	58.7°F	56.7°F	61.6°F
Dec 30	58.5°F	60.3°F	60.3°F
Dec 31	59.5°F	59.5°F	60.5°F

* actual - actual temperature values

** forecast - projected values for the next week

Real-time coastal temperatures could deviate by several degrees from the provided readings. These deviations often become evident following intense rainfall or strong winds.

Our forecasting methodology leverages a mathematical model, that uses current water and weather conditions, historical records, wind intensity and direction.

Sea water temperature in Cape Town by month

In an average year, Cape Town offers no days when the water temperature is warm enough to swim comfortably.

The warmest water in Cape Town was recorded on February 1, 2016, reaching a 67.4°F. While the coldest temperature occurred on September 24, 2024, dipping to 47.4°F. The average readings by season are 60.2°F in Winter, 57.8°F in Spring, 57.6°F in Summer, and 57.5°F in Autumn.