dk villas top reasons to visit Cape Town in spring

Spring is a time of new beginnings. Flowers bloom, leaves sprout on trees, the days get longer and we all get ready for the arrival of summer. This time of year is especially beautiful in Cape Town! From September onwards, the city shakes off the chill of winter and welcomes a brand new season. It’s definitely one of the best times to visit Cape Town for a number of reasons!

Dk villas has put together a list of the top reasons to visit Cape Town in spring. Check them out below!

Firstly, what weather can you expect from a trip to Cape Town during spring?

Cape Town is located in the Southern hemisphere so spring generally takes place from September through to November. Cape Town and the Western Cape province enjoy a mild to moderate Mediterranean climate. During spring, the average temperature varies between 17 - 29°C and there are often 12 - 13 hours of sunlight per day. You can expect some rain during the spring months but luckily it is only a few days a month - not on the same level as the wet winters experienced here.

Wondering why this season is so great in Cape Town? Take a look at these fantastic reasons to visit Cape Town in spring:

It’s Flower Season!

We absolutely had to start this list with one of the biggest draws for travellers to Cape Town in the spring - the wildflowers! The West Coast bursts into colour as the wildflowers bloom. There are several spots to enjoy wildflower viewing including the West Coast National Park which is a just over an hour’s drive from the city centre, Darling and Paternoster amongst many more.

Flowers can begin blooming from around mid-August, making it the perfect winter-to-spring transitional activity! Find out everything you need to know with dk villas’s guide to the wildflower season in the Western Cape.

It’s a great time of year for whale watching!

Excitingly, the Western Cape is home to the marine Big 5 - South African fur seal, Southern Right whale, African penguin, great white shark, and bottlenose dolphin. While Cape Town is lucky enough to be home to seals, penguins, sharks and dolphins year-round, the whales visit seasonally. From June - November, you’ll have the chance to enjoy incredible whale-watching around the cape as southern right whales, humpback whales and Bryde’s whales visit these waters on their annual migration. Spring falls right in the heart of whale-watching season! So you can enjoy the combination of mild spring days with exciting whale watching opportunities!

Some of the best places to enjoy whale-watching include Hermanus, Cape Agulhas and the West Coast. You can admire these magnificent creatures from the coastline or on a thrilling whale-watching boat excursion.

Once you’ve seen a whale tail or two, don’t miss out on enjoying the rest of the Cape’s famous marine life at this time of year! Head to Boulder’s Beach in Simon’s Town to see African penguins in their natural habitat (and even take a dip with them swimming nearby!), keep an eye out for pods of dolphins on drives along the Atlantic coastline, head out to Gaansbaai to go on a shark cage diving eco tour and when in coastal towns like Hout Bay, you can embark on a seal snorkelling adventure!

Spring is the perfect time for outdoor activities!

Speaking of adventure… spring is the perfect time for outdoor activities! The milder weather is great for enjoying outdoor activities such as long walks and hikes. While you most likely won’t be lying out in the sunshine on the beach (although, there are a fair few hot spring days where this is actually possible!), hikes and nature walks are super enjoyable at this time of year. The Western Cape is blessed with an abundance of beautiful walking and hiking trails that both locals and visitors to the area will enjoy.

Popular trails around Cape Town include Lion’s Head and Table Mountain - with trails starting around the city bowl and further south in Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden located in the Southern Suburbs. Seaside neighbourhood Hout Bay also boasts a number of incredible hikes in the area while venturing out to the Cape Winelands to destinations such as Jonkershoek will not disappoint!

Shoulder season in Cape Town is affordable and quieter

Another huge plus when visiting Cape Town in spring is that it is shoulder season. This is the period in between peak and off-peak travel seasons when destinations are generally quieter and more affordable, while still maintaining a great atmosphere! Springtime shoulder season in Cape Town is wonderful because you get to enjoy the city and its surrounds without the summer crowds and minus the chilly winter weather. There are shorter waiting times for popular attractions such as Table Mountain and Cape Point and you’re much more likely to get reservations at popular restaurants and bars. Many places may also be running specials at this time of year so be sure to keep an eye on social media to catch the best ones!

During September, you can make the most of low-season accommodation rates at dk villas while enjoying the fresh spring air at our properties in Hout Bay and along the West Coast!

Go local! Support spring markets and local spots

Finally, make the most of beautiful spring days by browsing a local market in a beautiful place! Local markets spring up (see what we did there?) in neighbourhoods all around the Western Cape! The best way to find one near you is to search Facebook or go old-school and keep an eye out for physical adverts that may be displayed in your area. A few of these markets are set up in support of charity so it’s a fantastic opportunity to browse the stalls for unique products while supporting a good cause! Fallen Angels Pet Rescue is hosting a charity market at their Melkbos location at the beginning of September. More spring markets should be announced soon!

Are you ready to spring into spring? Excellent! Be sure to experience Cape Town at this beautiful time of year, it’s sure to be bloomin’ unforgettable!