SeasonMapKnysna weather in January
South Africa
January in Knysna: warm, a little rain, with clean air — one of the best months to visit.
#1 of 12 months in Knysna · #176 of 1383 destinations to visit in January · comfort 89/100 (tier A)
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Traveller notes on Knysna in January
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.
Add your own note from Knysna's card on the map.
Knysna climate normals — January
| Daytime high | 25°C / 77°F | 🌤 warm |
|---|---|---|
| Nighttime low | 19°C / 65°F | |
| Feels like (high) | 27°C / 81°F | |
| Sea temperature | 22°C / 71°F | 🌊 fresh |
| Rainfall | 45 mm / 1.8 in | 🌦 some rain |
| Rainy days | 8 days | |
| Humidity | 77% | 💦 very humid |
| Dew point | 17°C / 63°F | |
| Sunshine | 12.1 h/day | |
| Daylight | 14.1 h | |
| Wind | 23 km/h / 14 mph | |
| Air quality (US AQI) | 27 | 🍃 good |
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Knysna in January
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)
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.
What's on in Knysna in January
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Holiday
Garden Route summer holidays
15 Dec – 15 Jan · usuallySchool holidaysCrowdedBook earlyThe 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 ↗
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?
Knysna in January — FAQ
- Is January a good time to visit Knysna?
- January in Knysna: warm, a little rain, with clean air — one of the best months to visit. It ranks #1 of 12 months for Knysna on SeasonMap's comfort score (89/100).
- What is the weather like in Knysna in January?
- In January, Knysna averages a daily high of 24.9°C and a low of 18.6°C, with about 45.4 mm of rain over roughly 7.8 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Knysna in January?
- Knysna has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 27 in January.
Other months in Knysna
Compare Knysna in January
Warmer or cooler than Knysna in January
Similar destinations in Southern Africa — January
Within 300 km: Port Elizabeth's Eastern Cape summer holidays around 15 Dec – 15 Jan.