Best Time to Visit Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Port Elizabeth is at its sunniest and driest in January–December.
The best time to visit Port Elizabeth for sunny, dry weather is September and December–July — 9 months of the year fit our sunny profiles at this specific location. The drier stretch runs through April–July and September and December–February; the wetter half falls in March and August and October–November. At the city itself, monthly average temperatures range from 14°C / 57.2°F in July to 21.6°C / 70.9°F in January, with rainfall from 39 mm / 1.5 in (January) to 61 mm / 2.4 in (October). These are point-value climate normals sampled at Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa's coordinates — usually more actionable for travellers than the country-wide average. Port Elizabeth's climate is broadly mild oceanic. The full month-by-month table below lets you match your travel window against our five weather profiles.
Recommended months
| Month | Temp | Rain | Feels like |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21.6°C70.9°F | 39 mm1.5″ | Sunny & Warm, Sunny & Mild |
| February | 21.6°C70.9°F | 46 mm1.8″ | Sunny & Mild |
| March | 20.4°C68.7°F | 50 mm2″ | Sunny & Mild |
| April | 18.6°C65.5°F | 48 mm1.9″ | Sunny & Mild |
| May | 16.5°C61.7°F | 40 mm1.6″ | Sunny & Mild |
| June | 14.6°C58.3°F | 43 mm1.7″ | Sunny & Mild |
| July | 14°C57.2°F | 42 mm1.7″ | Sunny & Mild |
| September | 15.7°C60.3°F | 46 mm1.8″ | Sunny & Mild |
| December | 20.1°C68.2°F | 48 mm1.9″ | Sunny & Mild |
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Port Elizabeth?
The best time to visit Port Elizabeth for sunny, dry weather is January, February, March, April, May, June, July, September, December. At the city itself, the warmest month is January averaging 21.6°C / 70.9°F, and the driest is January with about 39 mm / 1.5 in of rain. These are point-value climate normals sampled at Port Elizabeth's coordinates.
When is the rainy season in Port Elizabeth?
The rainy season at Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape runs through March and August and October–November, when monthly rainfall exceeds the annual median of about 48 mm / 1.9 in. The wettest single month is October (61 mm / 2.4 in).
What is the driest month in Port Elizabeth?
The driest month in Port Elizabeth is January, averaging about 39 mm / 1.5 in of rainfall. Temperature that month averages 21.6°C / 70.9°F.
What months should I avoid visiting Port Elizabeth?
The least comfortable months for travel to Port Elizabeth — based on point-value climate at the city — are June, July, August, September, October, November. These are the wettest or coolest months at this location. Rainfall peaks at 61 mm / 2.4 in in October, and the coldest month averages 14°C / 57.2°F.
Is Port Elizabeth climate different from South Africa overall?
Yes, usually. Our Port Elizabeth figures are point-value climate normals sampled at the city itself, while our South Africa figures are area-weighted averages across the whole country. The two can diverge substantially in geographically diverse or elevation-varied countries. The month-by-month table below reflects Port Elizabeth specifically — usually the more actionable data for a traveller planning to spend time in the city.