Western Cape · South Africa

Cape Town in March

In March, Cape Town averages a daytime high of 26 °C and a night-time low of 15 °C, with about 19 mm of rain over the month. By the measure used here it is one of the most comfortable months to visit; they run September to April.

Average high
26 °C
Average low
15 °C
Rain in the month
19 mm
Daylight on 15 Mar
12 h 20 min
Comfortable month
Yes
Places to stay
274

When to go

How March compares with the rest of the year in Cape Town

March is tied for the 2nd warmest month in Cape Town by average daytime high; across the year the highs run from 18 °C to 27 °C and the lows from 8 °C to 16 °C. By day, March is 1 °C cooler than February, and April is 2 °C cooler than March.

March brings 19 mm of rain, less than the monthly average of 57 mm (683 mm a year); it is the 10th wettest month.

On 15 March the sun is up for about 12 h 20 min, against 9 h 50 min at the shortest and 14 h 20 min at the longest point of the year (calculated from the latitude, sunrise to sunset).

0°15°30°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec124 mm
Average highAverage lowRain per monthComfortable months
MonthHighLowRainDaylightComfortable
January26 °C15 °C16 mm14 h 10 minYes
February27 °C16 °C15 mm13 h 20 minYes
March26 °C15 °C19 mm12 h 20 minYes
April23 °C13 °C52 mm11 h 10 minYes
May21 °C11 °C89 mm10 h 20 min
June18 °C9 °C122 mm9 h 50 min
July18 °C8 °C124 mm10 h 10 min
August18 °C8 °C101 mm11 h
September20 °C9 °C62 mm12 hYes
October22 °C11 °C32 mm13 hYes
November24 °C13 °C30 mm14 hYes
December25 °C14 °C22 mm14 h 20 minYes

Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).

When to go

Is March a good time to visit Cape Town?

Yes, by the measure used here: in March the average high of 26 °C is between 18 °C and 29 °C and the 19 mm of rain is under 80 mm. The comfortable months in Cape Town are September to April.

The measure is about weather for a city stay only; it says nothing about events, school holidays or prices.

Public holidays in South Africa in March

Nationwide public holidays; shops and offices may close on these dates.

21 Mar 2026 · Human Rights Day21 Mar 2027 · Human Rights Day22 Mar 2027 · Human Rights Day observed26 Mar 2027 · Good Friday29 Mar 2027 · Family Day

When to go

Destinations near Cape Town that are comfortable in March

Within 300 km, nearest first, by the same measure.

Where to stay

Where to stay in Cape Town

This guide lists 274 places to stay in Cape Town, hotels recorded in Wikidata. By straight-line distance from the centre: under 1 km, 37; 1–3 km, 84; 3–10 km, 96; 10 km or more, 57.

← Cape Town in FebruaryCape Town in April →

Sources: climate from CRU TS v4.10 (Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia; Open Database License), 1991–2020 averages; day length calculated from the latitude; public holidays from the OpenHolidays API (ODbL); places to stay from each operator's own public pages and Wikidata. How this guide is made.