The Cape Town Summer season is finally here, and we can’t hide our excitement any longer. There is nothing quite like being sun-kissed, salty-haired and sandy-toed during summer, but there’s just something so special about doing it in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Cape Town is pure summertime bliss.
While every season brings with it something unique and exciting to enjoy, Cape Town’s summer season is something else entirely. It’s therefore no surprise that people travel from all around the world to experience the Mother City’s summer magic. Here are some reasons to get excited about summer in Cape Town and why you shouldn’t wait another second but to experience it for yourself.
1. Long summer days & late sunsets
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Where else in the world can you admire a glorious 8 pm sunset and indulge in temperatures that allow you to bask in the afterglow until well into the night in the same spectacular manner than the Mother City? Beautiful long summer days and stunning late sunsets is undoubtedly one of the top reasons to get excited about summer in Cape Town.
During the summer season, the sun sets as late as 8:30pm, giving you a whole lot more time to enjoy, explore and experience everything this vibrant city has to offer. The late summer sunsets also means evening beach walks, sunset cocktails and embarking on the ultimate sunset chasing adventure is an absolute must.
2. The beautiful summertime weather
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During the Mother City’s summer season, the sun comes out to play and its absolutely glorious in every single way. This makes the outdoors the best part of Cape Town and you wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Boasting a stunning year-round mild Mediterranean climate, summer in Cape Town means beautiful sunny days and blue skies as the winter rains leave a dryer heat than the humid tropics.
While the Mother City is also known for her wild summertime winds, you have the option to go to the “other side” of the tall-standing Table Mountain that is sheltered from one of our two prevailing winds, the South Easterly and South Westerly.
3. In Cape Town summertime is beach time
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Blissful beach days is by far one of the top reasons to get excited about summer in Cape Town. There is no time quite like beach time in the Mother City, but during summer its on a whole other level.
Cape Town is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world all of which have something unique, exciting and beautiful to offer. There’s no time quite like summertime to bask in Cape Town’s beach bliss. From Camps Bay, Clifton, Bakoven, Boulders beach and Llandudno to Bloubergstrand, Big Bay, Muizenberg beach, Langebaan and Hout Bay, there is a beach for everyone to enjoy.
4. Cape Town transforms into the ultimate adventure paradise
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Are you looking to experience the ultimate adrenalin rush or thrilling adventure experience? Cape Town during summer is exactly where you should be! The Mother City’s beautiful weather and stunning surroundings makes summer in Cape Town the perfect time for an adventure.
From hiking, kloofing, paragliding and kayaking with the African Penguins to surfing, SUPping, wind surfing, snorkelling with Cape Fur Seals and mountain biking, there is a thrilling summer experience for every adventurous soul. So, be sure to pack your sense of adventure on your summer trip to Cape Town.
5. Summer in Cape Town = Kirstenbosch summer sunset concert season
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In Cape Town summertime is concert time, and nothing quite says ‘summer is finally here’ like celebrating it in true Cape Town style at a summer sunset concert. The Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concert Series has fast become one of the most sought-after Cape Town music events. It’s definitely one of the most fun and exciting too!
November every year marks the start of the Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts, which takes place every Sunday between November and April. The events have fast become a real summer staple in Cape Town and make for some of the best evenings you can possibly have in the Mother City.
It is undoubtedly one of the best ways to experience music in Cape Town as exciting international and local acts take to the stage for a spectacular musical performance you won’t soon forget. Gather your picnic baskets, friends, and family, and enjoy the best music South Africa has to offer in the shade of the magnificent Table Mountain and beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden surroundings.
6. The windy weather makes the ocean the ultimate playground for water sports
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Summer in Cape Town means beautiful sunny days, it’s also the time of year when the wind comes out to play. The ocean is transformed into the ultimate adventure playground for water sport’s enthusiasts. This gives adrenaline junkies an incredible reason to get excited about summer in Cape Town.
You can therefore expect to see tons of kite surfers and wind surfers flock to the beach, especially Bloubergstrand which is known as one of the top kite surfing spots in the world, in search of the perfect windy weather for their ocean adventure. Besides trying theses ocean adventure activities for yourself, watching it from the beachfront is every bit as exciting too.
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7. The Mother City’s magnificent marine life is thriving
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Home to the Marine Big 5, Dolphins, Whales, African Penguins, Cape Fur Seals and the Mola Mola Sunfish, seeing Cape Town’s thriving marine life loving life in their natural habitat is an absolute joy to experience during summer. In addition to spotting these cool Cape Town ocean locals from the shoreline, going on the ultimate ocean adventure with them by your side is definitely another top reason to get excited about summer in Cape Town.
From snorkelling with the Cape Fur Seals, kayaking with African Penguins, diving among the marine life or going on a boat-based whale-watching adventure, there is a summer time ocean experience suited to everyone.
8. It’s the perfect time to relax & cool down
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Summer in Cape Town gives us the perfect excuse to sit back, relax and savour the refreshing taste of a sunset cocktail, local craft beer, gin or exceptional glass of wine. From the beautiful Cape Winelands, trendy rooftop bars, beach front cocktail hotspots, local breweries, gin distilleries and hip street-side bars and eateries, Cape Town has no shortage of places to enjoy a cool summer drink. But why not add some extra excitement to your summer experience by going on the ultimate bar, brewery or wine farm hopping adventure of Cape Town?
9. Summer in Cape Town is perfect for local fish & chips by the harbourfront
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Enjoying some delicious local fish and chips under to Mother City sunshine is another incredible reason to get excited about summer in Cape Town. Sitting amongst the seagulls at the ocean’s edge, sipping an ice-cold Coke and piling on the endless amounts of salt and vinegar on your fried hake, calamari and chips is a delicious Cape Town past time. But enjoying this Cape Town staple is extra special during summer.
Besides the fact that you’ll be able to savour every delicious bite of Cape Town’s local fish and chips, the beautiful summer season also means you’ll be able to enjoy stunning harbour-front ocean views and a visit from a few ocean locals like the Cape Fur Seals if you’re lucky.
10. The infectious summertime Cape Town vibe
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Cape Town in summer brings with it a certain magical energy and infectious vibe that’s unlike anything you’ve experienced before. There certainly is no vibe quite like the local Cape Town summertime vibe, and it will have you hooked and wanting more as soon as you experience it for the first time.
It’s therefore no surprise that Cape Town’s vibrant energy, everyone-is-welcome atmosphere, lust for life, laid-back summer vibe and fun-loving spirit has stolen the hearts of locals and travellers from all around the world. Thereby making the Mother City a leading summer hotspot in its own right.
We hope our 10 reasons to get excited about summer in Cape Town has you jumping up and down and ready for all the magical summertime bliss the Mother City has to offer. From beautiful weather, fun-filled beach days, spectacular sunsets, incredible marine life sightings and exhilarating adventure experiences, there is no time quite like summertime in Cape Town.
Planning to spend summer in Cape Town? You can check out our guide to Cape Town summer activities you won’t want to miss. You can also have a look some tour activities to enjoy during summer in Cape Town. If you’re also looking for a perfect place to stay during winter, we can help. Get in touch if you’d like help finding accommodation.
