8 Things About Cape Town that are Better in Winter!

With the northward migration of the sub-tropical high pressure belt comes the periodic cold fronts that bring the Western Cape sweet rain and sweet respite from the gale-force south-easterly winds that pummel the peninsula every day during summer. So while we tend to associate winter with miserable weather, here in the Cape, it’s actually the perfect time of year to do a whole lot of outdoor (and cosy, indoor) activities! Here are 8 things about Cape Town that are better in winter….

1. Milder, cool weather perfect for hiking

Sure, the Cape gets cold fronts (and you definitely don’t want to be caught summiting a mountain during one of those) but after the 2017 water crisis, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a Capetonian who isn’t grateful for a downpour!

And, in any case, after a few days of rain, the sun typically comes out and then the weather is the picture of perfection for outdoor adventures like walking, hiking, and trail running. A light southerly breeze, cool daytime temperatures, and delicious (yet not too intense) sunshine are the ultimate trifecta for hitting the Cape’s many hiking trails.

The only things you need to be careful of are slippery paths and muddy tracks, so be sure to read up on your chosen hike beforehand, in case they warn against that.

2. Perfect beach weather

You’d think summer is the perfect time to head to the beach for a picnic, a stroll, or even a swim, if you can stand the nip of the cold Atlantic water. Yet, all too often, the Cape’s gale-force summertime south-easterly winds totally ruin a day on the beach by whipping up the sand into a stinging cloud and driving it into your legs and face. NO FUN.

During winter, however, the south-easterly winds pack their bags and leave the Cape alone for a few months of blissful calm!This means that on those sunny days between cold fronts (and the north-westerly winds they bring), you can head down to the beach and enjoy the gorgeous fresh sea breeze, sunshine that won’t scorch you within seconds, and sand that stays where it’s supposed to: beneath your beach towel!

3. Everything is green!

During summer, the city can appear brown and scorched with withered clumps of grass and bushes barely holding on for life. But with the arrival of life-giving rainfall in the Cape, everywhere, from fields to mountain flanks transforms into a kaleidoscope of colour! Grasses are emerald green with health, fynbos and Namaqua daisies bloom, and verdant flora carpets the Cape’s mountain ranges and peninsula with gorgeous, colourful, and audacious life. It’s truly beautiful to behold so put on your hiking boots and explore.

Many of the mountain trails also sprout waterfalls and gushing streams, which just adds to the magical experience.

4. Winter water wonderland for adventure sports

Ask any water sports enthusiasts: the wind conditions (and therefore the waves)along the coast are better in winter! Although water sports like surfing and kite-surfing are super popular in summer too, winter has warmer sea temperatures to offer. For more advice on water sports and outdoor adventures in the Cape, check out DK Villas other blogs:

• The Adrenalin Junkie’s Guide to Cape Town
• Wet n’ Wild Water Sports on the Cape West Coast

5. Red, red wine

Ah, there’s nothing quite like a glorious glass of Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon, Swartland Shiraz, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Pinot Noir, or Franschhoek Bordeaux-style blend on a cold wintry evening. Throw a roaring fire and a loved one into the mix and you’ve got the greatest possible cliché for enjoying a winter’s evening (hey, if it works, why question it?)

The Cape’s numerous wine region and routes are the progenitors of a handsome suite of literally thousands of different red wines, catering to every palate and budget. So, when the darned liquor ban lifts, place your orders, stock your cellars, pour a glass of delicious local red wine, and make a toast to winter in the Cape!

Click here to read dk villas’ top red wine recommendations for winter.

6. The whales are here!

Every year, around June and July, great pods of southern right whales make their way northwards to the substantially warmer waters around South Africa, where they breed and give birth before travelling back south again to their feeding grounds around Antarctica. We also occasionally see humpback whales, Bryde’s whales, and several species of dolphins.

It’s during this special time of year that these enormous, yet gentle beasts can be seen from just about any vantage point along the Cape peninsula and southwestern Cape coastline!The most notable of these vantage points are found in False Bay, Cape Agulhas, and, of course, the famous whale-watching town of Hermanus, which the World Wildlife Fund has rated as one of the top 12 whale-watching locations in the world. But, really, you can see the whales from anywhere along the coast, including Camps Bay and Hout Bay.

7. Time for the annual blooming of the wildflowers

The Cape practically has an international reputation for the annual blooming of its wildflower. Every winter (towards the end of August and for only a few precious weeks)billions of bulbs and seeds that have lain dormant in the soil erupt into a blooming flowers, carpeting the Cape and much of its West Coast in swaths of orange, purple, red, and white. It’s an attraction that draws hundreds of locals and tourists each year, but with 2020’s travel bans, you can at least enjoy the spectacle in relative peace.

Some of the best places to view the wildflowers include Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens; Postberg Flower Reserve at the West Coast National Park; Citrusdal, the centre for South Africa’s fruit farming industry; Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden; Darling Renosterveld Local Nature Reserve; Ramskop Nature Reserve near Clanwilliam in the Cederberg; Cape Columbine Nature Reserve near Paternoster; Harold Porter Botanical Garden; Tienie Versfeld Wildflower Reserve near Darling; and the Namaqua National Park.

8. Witness the Cape of Storms in action!

The weather isn’t always perfect in winter. Every so often, an enormous storm rolls in—storms that remind us why our far-flung peninsula has earned a reputation as “the Cape of Storms!” While you can’t exactly venture out into the bad weather—with its driving rain, intense north-westerly gusts, and even occasional hail and lightning—you can drive (very carefully) to a high vantage point along the coast and enjoy the show!

Watch in awe as the wind drives massive swells into the peninsula’s cliff faces, crashing waves pound against the shore, and squalls of rain bands thrash the ocean surface into a fury. The Cape’s storms are an incredible expression of nature’s power, which can be enjoyed safely from your car (maybe even with a thermos of coffee or hot chocolate!) Just drive slowly and carefully, and choose a spot that is a decent altitude or distance away from the actual shoreline.

It’s not uncommon for angry winter waves to breach barriers, sending foam and water spilling into parking lots and coastal roads!