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Warmest sea in South Africa in January

115 coastal locations in South Africa ranked by their typical January sea temperature. Region-wide average in January: 20.2°C. The top of the list is where to find the warmest swimming this month.

Warmest in January

Cape Vidal

27.3°C January mean in South Africa

Regional January average

20.2°C

across all 115 coastal locations in South Africa

Vs annual mean

+1.8°C

above the year-round regional average

What the South Africa sea feels like in January

Water at this temperature is very pleasant to swim in. If you tend to wear a wetsuit when swimming, you might consider removing it now to avoid the body overheating.

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 January fits in the year

January 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 January 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 January

Sorted by the typical January 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 January mean
1 Cape Vidal KwaZulu-Natal 27.3°C
2 Kosi Bay KwaZulu-Natal 27.2°C
3 Sodwana Bay 27.0°C
4 Saint Lucia KwaZulu-Natal 26.9°C
5 St Lucia 26.7°C
6 Richards Bay 26.1°C
7 Shelly Beach KwaZulu-Natal 25.9°C
8 Margate 25.8°C
9 Port Shepstone 25.7°C
10 Amanzimtoti 25.7°C
11 Umkomaas 25.7°C
12 Port Edward KwaZulu-Natal 25.7°C
13 eSikhawini KwaZulu-Natal 25.6°C
14 Mtunzini KwaZulu-Natal 25.6°C
15 Scottburgh 25.4°C
16 Port Saint Johns 25.4°C
17 Umhlanga 25.3°C
18 Ballito KwaZulu-Natal 25.2°C
19 Salt Rock KwaZulu-Natal 25.2°C
20 Umdloti KwaZulu-Natal 25.2°C
21 Umhlanga Rocks KwaZulu-Natal 25.2°C
22 Tugela River KwaZulu-Natal 25.1°C
23 Coffee Bay 25.0°C
24 Ballitoville 24.9°C
25 Durban 24.9°C
Show 25 more ▸
26 KwaZulu-Natal 24.9°C
27 Mazeppa Bay Eastern Cape 24.4°C
28 East London 23.9°C
29 Morgans Bay Eastern Cape 23.3°C
30 Wavecrest Eastern Cape 23.3°C
31 Chintsa Eastern Cape 23.0°C
32 Kidd's Beach Eastern Cape 22.8°C
33 Port Alfred 21.9°C
34 Cape Infanta Western Cape 21.5°C
35 Port Beaufort Western Cape 21.5°C
36 De Hoop Nature Reserve Western Cape 21.5°C
37 Infanta 21.4°C
38 Witsand 21.4°C
39 Stilbaai 21.4°C
40 Vleesbaai Western Cape 21.4°C
41 Herolds Bay Western Cape 21.3°C
42 Agulhas 21.3°C
43 Cape Agulhas 21.3°C
44 Struisbaai 21.3°C
45 Hartenbos 21.2°C
46 Mossel Bay 21.2°C
47 Wilderness 21.1°C
48 Arniston 21.1°C
49 Kenton-on-Sea Eastern Cape 20.9°C
50 Victoria Bay 20.9°C

Coldest 10 in South Africa in January

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

# Location January mean
1 Marion Island Western Cape 7.0°C
2 Langebaan 15.2°C
3 St Helena Bay 15.3°C
4 Velddrif 15.3°C
5 Port Nolloth 15.3°C
6 Yzerfontein 15.5°C
7 Bloubergstrand 15.5°C
8 Camps Bay 15.5°C
9 Cape Town 15.5°C
10 Clifton 15.5°C

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