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Warmest sea in South Africa in September

115 coastal locations in South Africa ranked by their typical September sea temperature. Region-wide average in September: 17.0°C. The top of the list is where to find the warmest swimming this month.

Warmest in September

Sodwana Bay

22.8°C September mean in South Africa

Regional September average

17.0°C

across all 115 coastal locations in South Africa

Vs annual mean

-1.4°C

below the year-round regional average

What the South Africa sea feels like in September

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 September fits in the year

September 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 September 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 September

Sorted by the typical September 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 September mean
1 Sodwana Bay 22.8°C
2 Kosi Bay KwaZulu-Natal 22.7°C
3 Cape Vidal KwaZulu-Natal 22.6°C
4 St Lucia 22.5°C
5 Saint Lucia KwaZulu-Natal 22.3°C
6 Margate 22.0°C
7 Richards Bay 22.0°C
8 Port Shepstone 21.9°C
9 Port Saint Johns 21.8°C
10 Amanzimtoti 21.8°C
11 Umkomaas 21.8°C
12 Shelly Beach KwaZulu-Natal 21.7°C
13 Coffee Bay 21.6°C
14 Port Edward KwaZulu-Natal 21.6°C
15 Scottburgh 21.6°C
16 Umhlanga 21.4°C
17 eSikhawini KwaZulu-Natal 21.2°C
18 Mtunzini KwaZulu-Natal 21.2°C
19 Ballitoville 21.0°C
20 Durban 21.0°C
21 Ballito KwaZulu-Natal 20.9°C
22 KwaZulu-Natal 20.9°C
23 Salt Rock KwaZulu-Natal 20.9°C
24 Umdloti KwaZulu-Natal 20.9°C
25 Umhlanga Rocks KwaZulu-Natal 20.9°C
Show 25 more ▸
26 Mazeppa Bay Eastern Cape 20.8°C
27 East London 20.8°C
28 Tugela River KwaZulu-Natal 20.8°C
29 Morgans Bay Eastern Cape 20.1°C
30 Wavecrest Eastern Cape 20.1°C
31 Chintsa Eastern Cape 19.8°C
32 Kidd's Beach Eastern Cape 19.7°C
33 Port Alfred 19.2°C
34 Kenton-on-Sea Eastern Cape 18.5°C
35 Port Alfred, South Africa Eastern Cape 18.1°C
36 Jeffreys Bay 17.8°C
37 Port Elizabeth 17.6°C
38 Stormsrivier Eastern Cape 17.5°C
39 Cape Saint Francis Eastern Cape 17.5°C
40 St Francis Bay Eastern Cape 17.5°C
41 Oyster Bay Eastern Cape 17.4°C
42 Nature’s Valley Western Cape 17.4°C
43 Plettenberg Bay 17.2°C
44 Brenton-on-Sea Western Cape 17.1°C
45 Knysna 17.1°C
46 Sedgefield Western Cape 17.0°C
47 Buffelsbaai 17.0°C
48 Victoria Bay 16.9°C
49 Herolds Bay Western Cape 16.8°C
50 Wilderness 16.7°C

Coldest 10 in South Africa in September

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

# Location September mean
1 Marion Island Western Cape 5.1°C
2 Port Nolloth 12.2°C
3 Alexander Bay 12.8°C
4 Hondeklip Bay 13.2°C
5 Lamberts Bay Western Cape 13.5°C
6 Elands Bay 13.5°C
7 St Helena Bay 13.8°C
8 Velddrif 13.8°C
9 Buffels Bay Western Cape 14.2°C
10 Bloubergstrand 14.3°C

More on this region