SeasonMapHermanus weather in December
South Africa
December in Hermanus: warm, dry, with clean air — one of the best months to visit.
#1 of 12 months in Hermanus · #162 of 1383 destinations to visit in December · comfort 88/100 (tier A)
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Traveller notes on Hermanus in December
Other months in Hermanus
Hermanus's forum is upfront that January is the wrong month for the whale watching the town is famous for — the season runs June through December, peaking in August and September, so January visitors mostly miss out bar the occasional early mother-calf pair. Regulars say it's still worth the stop for the cliff path, galleries and cafes even without the whales.
Add your own note from Hermanus's card on the map.
Hermanus climate normals — December
| Daytime high | 25°C / 76°F | 🌤 warm |
|---|---|---|
| Nighttime low | 16°C / 61°F | |
| Feels like (high) | 26°C / 79°F | |
| Sea temperature | 18°C / 65°F | 🧊 bracing |
| Rainfall | 27 mm / 1.1 in | ☀️ dry |
| Rainy days | 6 days | |
| Humidity | 70% | 💧 humid |
| Dew point | 14°C / 58°F | |
| Sunshine | 12.5 h/day | |
| Daylight | 14.4 h | |
| Wind | 20 km/h / 12 mph | |
| Air quality (US AQI) | 33 | 🍃 good |
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Hermanus in December
How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.
Peak crowdsSouth African summer holidays, Term 4–1 (summer, year-end) break in South Africa, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for Hermanus's weather
Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).
Best weatherHermanus's weather peaks December–February.
Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather
What's on in Hermanus in December
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Holiday
South African summer holidays
15 Dec – 15 Jan · usuallySchool holidaysCrowdedBook earlyThe Overberg's beach fortnight: the town roughly doubles in size, the whales have mostly gone, and the restaurants along the cliff need booking. Rates sit at their yearly high. Source ↗
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of Hermanus — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
Where is Hermanus?
Hermanus in December — FAQ
- Is December a good time to visit Hermanus?
- December in Hermanus: warm, dry, with clean air — one of the best months to visit. It ranks #1 of 12 months for Hermanus on SeasonMap's comfort score (88/100).
- What is the weather like in Hermanus in December?
- In December, Hermanus averages a daily high of 24.5°C and a low of 16.2°C, with about 27.1 mm of rain over roughly 6.2 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Hermanus in December?
- Hermanus has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 33 in December.
Other months in Hermanus
Compare Hermanus in December
Warmer or cooler than Hermanus in December
Similar destinations in Southern Africa — December
Within 300 km: Cape Town's Kirstenbosch sunset concerts around 20 Nov – 31 Mar, and Stellenbosch's Festive season in the Winelands around 15 Dec – 15 Jan.