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Warmest sea in South Africa in December

115 coastal locations in South Africa ranked by their typical December sea temperature. Region-wide average in December: 19.5°C. The top of the list is where to find the warmest swimming this month.

Warmest in December

Kosi Bay

26.0°C December mean in South Africa

Regional December average

19.5°C

across all 115 coastal locations in South Africa

Vs annual mean

+1.1°C

above the year-round regional average

What the South Africa sea feels like in December

At this temperature, water will feel cold compared to a swimming pool, but with a bit of experience and practice most people will find the water relatively comfortable to swim in.

South Africa monthly average 16.8°C to 20.4°C
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  • Warmest month February 20.4°C
  • Coldest month August 16.8°C
  • Annual mean 18.4°C
  • Months above 20°C 2 of 12

Where December fits in the year

December sits inside the regional pattern shown on the left. Pick a different month to see how the ranking shifts.

All twelve South Africa month rankings:

South Africa sea temperature map (live)

The map shows today's latest reading at every South Africa location. The list below is based on the typical December mean, useful for trip planning weeks or months ahead.

Zoom in to see individual locations. Click a pin for water temperatures. View list →
°C -2 0 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 24 27 30 35

Top 50 warmest South Africa locations in December

Sorted by the typical December mean built from a decade of daily readings at each location. Click any place for its 30-day chart, monthly profile, and full 10-year history.

# Location December mean
1 Kosi Bay KwaZulu-Natal 26.0°C
2 Cape Vidal KwaZulu-Natal 25.9°C
3 Sodwana Bay 25.7°C
4 Saint Lucia KwaZulu-Natal 25.5°C
5 St Lucia 25.4°C
6 Richards Bay 24.9°C
7 Shelly Beach KwaZulu-Natal 24.6°C
8 Margate 24.5°C
9 Amanzimtoti 24.5°C
10 Umkomaas 24.5°C
11 Port Shepstone 24.4°C
12 Port Edward KwaZulu-Natal 24.4°C
13 eSikhawini KwaZulu-Natal 24.4°C
14 Mtunzini KwaZulu-Natal 24.4°C
15 Port Saint Johns 24.2°C
16 Scottburgh 24.2°C
17 Coffee Bay 23.9°C
18 Umhlanga 23.9°C
19 Tugela River KwaZulu-Natal 23.8°C
20 Ballito KwaZulu-Natal 23.8°C
21 Salt Rock KwaZulu-Natal 23.8°C
22 Umdloti KwaZulu-Natal 23.8°C
23 Umhlanga Rocks KwaZulu-Natal 23.8°C
24 KwaZulu-Natal 23.6°C
25 Ballitoville 23.6°C
Show 25 more ▸
26 Durban 23.6°C
27 Mazeppa Bay Eastern Cape 23.4°C
28 East London 23.0°C
29 Morgans Bay Eastern Cape 22.4°C
30 Wavecrest Eastern Cape 22.4°C
31 Chintsa Eastern Cape 22.1°C
32 Kidd's Beach Eastern Cape 21.8°C
33 Port Alfred 21.1°C
34 Herolds Bay Western Cape 20.5°C
35 Cape Infanta Western Cape 20.4°C
36 Port Beaufort Western Cape 20.4°C
37 Vleesbaai Western Cape 20.4°C
38 Wilderness 20.3°C
39 Stilbaai 20.3°C
40 De Hoop Nature Reserve Western Cape 20.2°C
41 Hartenbos 20.2°C
42 Infanta 20.2°C
43 Mossel Bay 20.2°C
44 Witsand 20.2°C
45 Sedgefield Western Cape 20.2°C
46 Brenton-on-Sea Western Cape 20.1°C
47 Agulhas 20.1°C
48 Cape Agulhas 20.1°C
49 Struisbaai 20.1°C
50 Kenton-on-Sea Eastern Cape 20.1°C

Coldest 10 in South Africa in December

Same data the other way. Helpful if you want to know which South Africa coasts to avoid for swimming in December.

# Location December mean
1 Marion Island Western Cape 6.1°C
2 St Helena Bay 14.8°C
3 Velddrif 14.8°C
4 Port Nolloth 14.9°C
5 Langebaan 14.9°C
6 Schrywers Hoek Western Cape 15.0°C
7 Schrywershoek Western Cape 15.0°C
8 Buffels Bay Western Cape 15.1°C
9 Elands Bay 15.2°C
10 Lamberts Bay Western Cape 15.2°C

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