Knysna weather in December

South Africa

Knysna, South Africa
Photo: Adrien Olichon · Pexels

December in Knysna: warm, a little rain, with clean air — one of the best months to visit.

#2 of 12 months in Knysna · #166 of 1383 destinations to visit in December · comfort 88/100 (tier A)

Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis

Traveller notes on Knysna in December

Other months in Knysna

Knysna's forum calls January part of the warm, busy summer season, though a few visitors have found it wetter than the brochures suggest, with scattered rain days breaking up the sunshine rather than a fully dry stretch. Regulars still rate it a good month overall — just pack for the odd shower alongside the swimwear.
Tripadvisor community · January · 2 days ago · Read more on tripadvisor.co.uk

Add your own note from Knysna's card on the map.

Knysna climate normals — December

Daytime high24°C / 74°F🌤 warm
Nighttime low17°C / 63°F
Feels like (high)25°C / 77°F
Sea temperature21°C / 69°F🌊 fresh
Rainfall40 mm / 1.6 in🌦 some rain
Rainy days9 days
Humidity75%💦 very humid
Dew point15°C / 60°F
Sunshine12.4 h/day
Daylight14.4 h
Wind23 km/h / 14 mph
Air quality (US AQI)28🍃 good

Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.

Crowds in Knysna 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 crowdsGarden Route summer holidays, Term 4–1 (summer, year-end) break in South Africa, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it(estimated)

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Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet

Best months for Knysna'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).

Fair weatherKnysna's weather doesn't swing hard through the year — comfort stays fairly steady in every month.

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What's on in Knysna in December

Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.

  • Holiday

    Garden Route summer holidays

    15 Dec – 15 Jan · usuallySchool holidaysCrowdedBook early

    The N2 through town becomes a queue and the lagoon fills with boats. Knysna's population multiplies for the festive weeks and self-catering is booked close to a year out. Source ↗

What's on around the world in December

Nearby, and something's on

Within 300 km of Knysna — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.

Where is Knysna?

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Knysna in December — FAQ

Is December a good time to visit Knysna?
December in Knysna: warm, a little rain, with clean air — one of the best months to visit. It ranks #2 of 12 months for Knysna on SeasonMap's comfort score (88/100).
What is the weather like in Knysna in December?
In December, Knysna averages a daily high of 23.5°C and a low of 17.1°C, with about 40.4 mm of rain over roughly 8.9 rainy days.
What is the air quality in Knysna in December?
Knysna has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 28 in December.

Other months in Knysna

Compare Knysna in December

Warmer or cooler than Knysna in December

Similar destinations in Southern AfricaDecember

Within 300 km: Port Elizabeth's Eastern Cape summer holidays around 15 Dec – 15 Jan.