Weather in Cape Town in April

How April compares

April is the 5th warmest month of the year in Cape Town and ranks 53rd of 134 destinations we compare for April - see where else is hot in April. Against London's average high of 13.5°C in April, Cape Town is 8.5°C warmer by day and 9.1°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in April

The typical April day in Cape Town peaks at 22.0°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 26.9°C or more. Roughly 1 in 5 days top 25°C and 1 in 48 pass 30°C. Nights average 14.2°C; one night in ten drops to 11.6°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest April day here reached 34.8°C (2017-04-29) and the coldest night 7.4°C (1995-04-26).

Rain in April

Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 5 days with 1 mm or more, 36 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest April was 1993 with 129 mm, the driest 2015 with 1 mm. Humidity averages 76%.

Sea temperature in April

The sea averages 15.4°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 14.1°C to 16.4°C. For the warmest sea here, come in February (18.4°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 6.5 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 11.1 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:09 and sets about 18:24 local time in mid-April. Average cloud cover is 41%.

Is April a good time to visit Cape Town?

It is a reasonable choice: warm days. The best months for Cape Town on our scoring are February, January, March; months averaging 25°C or more: Jan, Feb.

Warm enough for light clothes, but pack a layer

Cape Town feels noticeably warmer than London in April: its average daytime high is 8.5°C higher than London's 13.5°C. That makes light trousers, T-shirts and shorts sensible daytime options, with a jumper or jacket for evenings. Days reach 25°C about 20% of the time, so there is scope for warmer weather, but you should not plan around persistent heat. Reaching 30°C is unusual, at 2% of days. April suits travellers who prefer being outdoors in moderate warmth rather than very hot conditions. Use shade when the midday warmth builds, and keep a warmer layer handy if you will be out after dark.

Useful sunshine, with room for rain in your plans

April brings about 6.5 hours of sunshine a day within 11.1 hours of daylight, leaving a useful window for outdoor plans without promising clear skies all day. There are about 5 rainy days, so waterproof clothing is sensible, but rain need not dominate your packing or itinerary. Keep weather-dependent activities flexible and have an indoor alternative ready rather than committing every day to being outside. The balance suits a mixed city break better than a trip that depends on uninterrupted sunshine. Make use of brighter spells when they arrive, and avoid treating the average sunshine figure as a daily guarantee.

Coastal time is more appealing than a long swim

The sea is the main limitation if swimming matters to you. At an average 15.4°C, it is cold rather than merely refreshing, and the year-to-year range of 14°C to 16°C gives little reason to expect comfortable bathing water. Spending time beside the water is a better fit for these conditions than planning long, leisurely swims. A warm afternoon does not mean the sea will feel warm too, so judge those parts of your holiday separately. April works well if swimming is optional; if warm water is central to your trip, its pleasant air temperatures should not be the deciding factor.