Climate guide for Hermanus, South Africa

Best Time to Visit
Hermanus

How to read the score (0–10)
05810
UnfavorableGoodOptimal

About Hermanus

Hermanus is a nature and wildlife destination in South Africa. Its setting includes World's premier land-based southern right whale watching coastal town. Use the monthly scores to plan outdoor time around temperature, rainfall, humidity, daylight and sunny days.

Did you know?

Travel Tips

Best time to visit Hermanus
Check seasonal weather trends and book accommodations in advance for Hermanus.

Things to do in Hermanus

Hermanus, South Africa. Live activities and tours from GetYourGuide, matched to this destination.

When to visit Hermanus: the short answer

The best time to visit Hermanus is January, followed by February, November. Those months combine the most usable temperatures with the fewest lost days to rain: January averages 21°C with 17 mm of rain and about 31 sunny days. The months to avoid unless you have a specific reason are June, July. If budget matters more than perfect weather, May is the strongest of the low-rate months at 6.5/10.

Across the year Hermanus swings from 12°C in July to 21°C in January, a 8-degree spread, while rainfall ranges from 17 mm in November to 119 mm in June. That is the whole planning problem in one sentence: Hermanus is not equally good year-round, and the difference between the best and worst month here is 4.5 points on a 10-point scale.

Warmest month: January (21°C). Coolest: July (12°C). Driest: November (17 mm). Wettest: June (119 mm).

Hermanus month by month

January in Hermanus — the year's strongest window

Best window · 9.7/10

January averages 21°C (69°F) — warm enough for beach and boat plans, still short of the heat that pushes sightseeing into early morning.

Expect 17 mm of rain — occasional showers rather than washed-out days — alongside about 31 sunny days and 14.1 daylight hours.

On our climate-comfort scale this is the top-ranked month of the year for Hermanus at 9.7/10 — the reference point every other month on this page is measured against.

Expect peak pricing, and this is one of the busiest months here. You are paying the year's highest rates for the year's best conditions — book early or shift a few weeks either side.

Pack light clothing, swimwear and real sun protection, footwear you can get muddy.

February in Hermanus — the year's strongest window

Best window · 9.7/10

February averages 21°C (69°F) — warm enough for beach and boat plans, still short of the heat that pushes sightseeing into early morning.

Expect 29 mm of rain — occasional showers rather than washed-out days — alongside about 28 sunny days and 13.3 daylight hours.

On our climate-comfort scale this is the top-ranked month of the year for Hermanus at 9.7/10 — the reference point every other month on this page is measured against.

Expect peak pricing, and this is one of the busiest months here. You are paying the year's highest rates for the year's best conditions — book early or shift a few weeks either side.

Pack light clothing, swimwear and real sun protection, footwear you can get muddy.

March in Hermanus — the year's strongest window

Best window · 8.6/10

March averages 19°C (67°F) — warm enough for beach and boat plans, still short of the heat that pushes sightseeing into early morning.

Rainfall runs 88 mm, so plan one flexible day in three; you still get about 22 sunny days and 12.3 hours of daylight.

On our climate-comfort scale this is the top-ranked month of the year for Hermanus at 8.6/10 — the reference point every other month on this page is measured against.

Expect mid-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.

Pack light clothing, swimwear and real sun protection, a packable rain layer, footwear you can get muddy.

April in Hermanus — reliably good (8th best month)

Good · 7.8/10

April averages 16°C (61°F), the range most people find easiest for walking a city all day without either overheating or losing daylight to weather.

Rainfall runs 52 mm, so plan one flexible day in three; you still get about 13 sunny days and 11.1 hours of daylight.

It scores 7.8/10 here, 8th of 12 months, against 9.7/10 in the destination's best month.

Expect mid-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.

Pack layers you can shed by midday plus one warm layer for the evening, a packable rain layer, footwear you can get muddy.

If your dates are flexible, January is materially better in Hermanus — 1.9 points higher on the same scale.

May in Hermanus — workable with trade-offs

Trade-offs · 6.5/10

May averages 15°C (59°F), the range most people find easiest for walking a city all day without either overheating or losing daylight to weather.

Rainfall runs 71 mm, so plan one flexible day in three; you still get about 6 sunny days and 10.2 hours of daylight.

It scores 6.5/10 here, 10th of 12 months, against 9.7/10 in the destination's best month.

Expect low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.

Pack layers you can shed by midday plus one warm layer for the evening, a packable rain layer, footwear you can get muddy.

If your dates are flexible, January is materially better in Hermanus — 3.2 points higher on the same scale.

June in Hermanus — workable with trade-offs

Trade-offs · 5.2/10

June averages 14°C (57°F), the range most people find easiest for walking a city all day without either overheating or losing daylight to weather.

At 119 mm this is a genuinely wet month: about 1 sunny days in total, and outdoor plans need an indoor fallback.

It scores 5.2/10 here, 12th of 12 months, against 9.7/10 in the destination's best month.

Expect low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.

Pack layers you can shed by midday plus one warm layer for the evening, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella, footwear you can get muddy.

If your dates are flexible, January is materially better in Hermanus — 4.5 points higher on the same scale.

July in Hermanus — workable with trade-offs

Trade-offs · 6/10

July averages 12°C (54°F), the range most people find easiest for walking a city all day without either overheating or losing daylight to weather.

Rainfall runs 75 mm, so plan one flexible day in three; you still get about 3 sunny days and 9.9 hours of daylight.

It scores 6/10 here, 11th of 12 months, against 9.7/10 in the destination's best month.

Expect mid-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.

Pack layers you can shed by midday plus one warm layer for the evening, a packable rain layer, footwear you can get muddy.

If your dates are flexible, January is materially better in Hermanus — 3.7 points higher on the same scale.

August in Hermanus — reliably good (9th best month)

Good · 7.3/10

August averages 13°C (55°F), the range most people find easiest for walking a city all day without either overheating or losing daylight to weather.

Rainfall runs 61 mm, so plan one flexible day in three; you still get about 11 sunny days and 10.7 hours of daylight.

It scores 7.3/10 here, 9th of 12 months, against 9.7/10 in the destination's best month.

Expect mid-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.

Pack layers you can shed by midday plus one warm layer for the evening, a packable rain layer, footwear you can get muddy.

If your dates are flexible, January is materially better in Hermanus — 2.4 points higher on the same scale.

September in Hermanus — reliably good (7th best month)

Good · 8/10

September averages 14°C (56°F), the range most people find easiest for walking a city all day without either overheating or losing daylight to weather.

Rainfall runs 85 mm, so plan one flexible day in three; you still get about 18 sunny days and 11.8 hours of daylight.

It scores 8/10 here, 7th of 12 months, against 9.7/10 in the destination's best month.

Expect mid-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.

Pack layers you can shed by midday plus one warm layer for the evening, a packable rain layer, footwear you can get muddy.

If your dates are flexible, January is materially better in Hermanus — 1.7 points higher on the same scale.

October in Hermanus — the year's strongest window

Best window · 8.8/10

October averages 16°C (62°F), the range most people find easiest for walking a city all day without either overheating or losing daylight to weather.

Rainfall runs 74 mm, so plan one flexible day in three; you still get about 29 sunny days and 12.9 hours of daylight.

On our climate-comfort scale this is the top-ranked month of the year for Hermanus at 8.8/10 — the reference point every other month on this page is measured against.

Expect mid-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.

Pack layers you can shed by midday plus one warm layer for the evening, a packable rain layer, footwear you can get muddy.

November in Hermanus — the year's strongest window

Best window · 9.6/10

November averages 18°C (64°F), the range most people find easiest for walking a city all day without either overheating or losing daylight to weather.

Expect 17 mm of rain — occasional showers rather than washed-out days — alongside about 30 sunny days and 13.8 daylight hours.

On our climate-comfort scale this is the top-ranked month of the year for Hermanus at 9.6/10 — the reference point every other month on this page is measured against.

Expect peak pricing, and this is one of the busiest months here. You are paying the year's highest rates for the year's best conditions — book early or shift a few weeks either side.

Pack layers you can shed by midday plus one warm layer for the evening, footwear you can get muddy.

December in Hermanus — the year's strongest window

Best window · 9.3/10

December averages 19°C (67°F) — warm enough for beach and boat plans, still short of the heat that pushes sightseeing into early morning.

Rainfall runs 60 mm, so plan one flexible day in three; you still get about 31 sunny days and 14.3 hours of daylight.

On our climate-comfort scale this is the top-ranked month of the year for Hermanus at 9.3/10 — the reference point every other month on this page is measured against.

Expect peak pricing, and this is one of the busiest months here.

Pack light clothing, swimwear and real sun protection, a packable rain layer, footwear you can get muddy.

Frequently asked

When is the best time to visit Hermanus, South Africa?
In Ideal Weather mode, the best months to visit Hermanus are January, February, November, December, October. January is the single peak month with an Ideal Weather score of 9.7/10 based on temperature, rainfall, humidity, daylight and historical sunny days.
What is the weather like in Hermanus year-round?
Hermanus has a climate profile suited to nature and wildlife travel. Average monthly temperatures range from 12°C in July to 21°C in January, with Ideal Weather scores between 5.2 and 9.7 out of 10.
Which months should I avoid in Hermanus?
The lowest Ideal Weather-scoring months in Hermanus are June (5.2/10), July (6.0/10), May (6.5/10). These months typically combine less comfortable temperatures, higher rainfall or fewer sunny days.
When is the rainy season in Hermanus?
June is the wettest month in Hermanus, averaging about 119 mm of rainfall. November is the driest, at roughly 17 mm.
Which is the sunniest month in Hermanus?
January sees the most sun in Hermanus, with about 31 sunny days on average - ideal for outdoor plans.
Is Hermanus a good destination for nature and wildlife travel?
Hermanus is well suited to nature and wildlife travel. Its highest Ideal Weather window (January, February, November, December, October) aligns with the conditions travelers usually look for in this style of trip.
How is the bestime.to score for Hermanus calculated?
Each month receives an Ideal Weather score from 0-10 using ERA5 climate normals for Hermanus: temperature comfort, precipitation, humidity, daylight hours, and historical sunny days - weighted for nature and wildlife travel.

Explore by month

Curated in Hermanus

Tickets & experiences