Best Time to Visit Durban
South Africa · Humid Subtropical climate · Data averaged from 2020-01-01 to 2024-12-31 (5 years)
Recommended Months
Based on temperature comfort, low precipitation, and sunshine hours, the best time to visit Durban is:
July → March → December
July scores 65/100 — the highest-rated month for travel.
Monthly Ratings (0-100)
Scores are weighted: temperature comfort (50%), low precipitation (30%), sunshine (20%). Higher is better.
| Month | Overall Score | Temp Comfort | Precipitation | Sunshine | Bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 47 | 94 | 0 | 0 | |
| February | 47 | 94 | 0 | 0 | |
| March | 48 | 97 | 0 | 0 | |
| April | 46 | 91 | 0 | 0 | |
| May | 41 | 82 | 0 | 0 | |
| June | 44 | 71 | 28 | 0 | |
| July | 52 | 68 | 60 | 0 | |
| August | 44 | 74 | 24 | 0 | |
| September | 40 | 80 | 0 | 0 | |
| October | 42 | 85 | 0 | 0 | |
| November | 47 | 94 | 0 | 0 | |
| December | 49 | 98 | 0 | 0 |
Monthly Temperature Comfort
| Month | Mean Temp | Comfort Level |
|---|---|---|
| January | 24.2°C (75.6°F) | Warm (18-24°C) |
| February | 24.3°C (75.7°F) | Warm (18-24°C) |
| March | 23.6°C (74.5°F) | Warm (18-24°C) |
| April | 21.2°C (70.2°F) | Warm (18-24°C) |
| May | 19.4°C (66.9°F) | Warm (18-24°C) |
| June | 17.2°C (63.0°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| July | 16.7°C (62.1°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| August | 17.7°C (63.9°F) | Mild (10-17°C) |
| September | 19.0°C (66.2°F) | Warm (18-24°C) |
| October | 20.0°C (68.0°F) | Warm (18-24°C) |
| November | 21.7°C (71.1°F) | Warm (18-24°C) |
| December | 23.3°C (73.9°F) | Warm (18-24°C) |
Monthly Precipitation Rating
| Month | Rainfall (mm) | Rainy Days | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 120.1 mm | 18.4 | Very Wet |
| February | 108.9 mm | 17.6 | Very Wet |
| March | 85.4 mm | 16.0 | Wet |
| April | 100.5 mm | 14.6 | Very Wet |
| May | 70.0 mm | 8.4 | Wet |
| June | 23.9 mm | 6.8 | Dry |
| July | 13.5 mm | 5.2 | Dry |
| August | 25.2 mm | 10.6 | Dry |
| September | 81.3 mm | 13.4 | Wet |
| October | 118.4 mm | 17.0 | Very Wet |
| November | 82.9 mm | 17.0 | Wet |
| December | 120.3 mm | 21.2 | Very Wet |
Monthly Sunshine Rating
| Month | Sunshine (hrs/day) | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| January | 10.9 hrs | Excellent |
| February | 9.5 hrs | Excellent |
| March | 10.2 hrs | Excellent |
| April | 9.0 hrs | Excellent |
| May | 9.4 hrs | Excellent |
| June | 9.6 hrs | Excellent |
| July | 9.5 hrs | Excellent |
| August | 9.0 hrs | Excellent |
| September | 8.8 hrs | Excellent |
| October | 8.8 hrs | Excellent |
| November | 9.4 hrs | Excellent |
| December | 9.5 hrs | Excellent |
Season-by-Season Breakdown
Spring (Mar-May)
Temperature: 21.4°C (70.5°F)
Rainfall: 85.3mm avg
Sunshine: 9.5 hrs/day
Humidity: 75.8%
Rainy Days: 13.0/mo
Mild transitional weather — comfortable for most activities.
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Temperature: 17.2°C (63.0°F)
Rainfall: 20.9mm avg
Sunshine: 9.4 hrs/day
Humidity: 65.2%
Rainy Days: 7.5/mo
Mild transitional weather — comfortable for most activities.
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
Temperature: 20.2°C (68.4°F)
Rainfall: 94.2mm avg
Sunshine: 9.0 hrs/day
Humidity: 76.8%
Rainy Days: 15.8/mo
Mild transitional weather — comfortable for most activities.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Temperature: 23.9°C (75.0°F)
Rainfall: 116.4mm avg
Sunshine: 10.0 hrs/day
Humidity: 79.1%
Rainy Days: 19.1/mo
This is the warm season. Ideal for outdoor activities but be prepared for heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Durban?
Based on our data-driven analysis, the best months to visit Durban are July, March, December, when temperatures are comfortable, rainfall is lower, and sunshine is plentiful. July scores 65/100, the highest-rated month.
What is the hottest month in Durban?
February is the hottest month with an average temperature of 24.3°C (75.7°F).
What is the coldest month in Durban?
July is the coldest month with an average temperature of 16.7°C (62.1°F).
When is the rainy season in Durban?
December is the wettest month with an average of 120.3mm of precipitation. Durban experiences about 166.0 rainy days per year. The driest month is July with 13.5mm.
What should I pack for a trip to Durban?
Packing recommendations depend on the season of your visit. Based on the climate data, pack lightweight, breathable clothing if visiting during the warm months (February is hottest at 24.3°C). For cooler months, bring layers and a warm jacket (July averages 16.7°C). A waterproof jacket or umbrella is recommended year-round as Durban receives 950.0mm of annual precipitation. Sun protection is important, especially during months with high UV index.
Durban's humid subtropical climate is influenced by the warm Agulhas Current. I've tracked the data and found that the city enjoys warm temperatures year-round, with the hottest months being January to March. The best time for visiting is April to September, when the humidity is lower and the city's famous beaches are most comfortable.
Data Source: Open-Meteo historical archive (2020-01-01 to 2024-12-31). Daily measurements aggregated into monthly climate normals. Coordinates: -29.86°, 31.02°. Timezone: Africa/Johannesburg. Last updated: 2026-07-30.