The Cape of Good Hope is in South Africa and sits about 30 miles from Cape Town. It is Cape Peninsula’s southern tip. The coastline of the Cape of Good Hope is rocky with steep cliffs and dotted with beautiful sandy beaches. The point of the cape is in Cape Peninsula National Park. The stunning beaches of Buffels Bay are popular with visitors.
The climate around the Cape of Good Hope generally resembles that of the Mediterranean. Winter runs from May to August and is generally mild with averages about 68 degrees F. during the day. Summer is from September to April and has a hot, dry climate with average temperatures climbing into the 80 degree range.
Precipitation at the Cape of Good Hope varies widely between summer and winter months. Winter is considered the rainy season, when cold fronts rise from the Atlantic Ocean and bring intense amounts of rain. The coastal areas and the valley are spared much of the rain and receive an average of only 550 mm per year. The precipitation in the cold fronts collides with the mountain regions and drop upward of 1,500 mm of rain per year. Summer months are generally very dry with very little precipitation.
The Cape of Good Hope is known for its steady and dangerous billowing winds. Historically, ships carrying goods around the cape were especially fearful of the winds generated in this region. Many ships were lost on the rocky shores and waters surrounding the Cape of Good Hope. Winds blow sporadically all year long. The danger to ships was so great that one of the original names of this region was the Cape of Storms.
Summer is the peak season in this area. Summer temperatures are usually high and comfortable and skies are clear and free of rain. The peak season for tourists is December and January. If you are looking to avoid crowded beaches and a bustling nearby Cape Town, avoid this area in summer.
The winter rainy season from May to October is the off-season for the Cape of Good Hope. During this time it is exceptionally windy, rainy and cold. However, the prices for accommodations and food are lower in winter and the national park is less crowded. For an inexpensive and quiet trip to the Cape of Good Hope, visit in the winter. Take a good rain jacket and wool sweater.
