SeasonMapPlettenberg Bay weather in December
South Africa
December in Plettenberg Bay: nice, a little rain, with clean air — one of the best months to visit.
#2 of 12 months in Plettenberg Bay · #180 of 1383 destinations to visit in December · comfort 88/100 (tier A)
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Traveller notes on Plettenberg Bay in December
No notes yet. Open Plettenberg Bay on the map to add the first one.
Plettenberg Bay climate normals — December
| Daytime high | 23°C / 73°F | 😎 nice |
|---|---|---|
| Nighttime low | 16°C / 61°F | |
| Feels like (high) | 23°C / 73°F | |
| Sea temperature | 20°C / 68°F | 🌊 fresh |
| Rainfall | 38 mm / 1.5 in | 🌦 some rain |
| Rainy days | 9 days | |
| Humidity | 75% | 💦 very humid |
| Dew point | 14°C / 58°F | |
| Sunshine | 12.4 h/day | |
| Daylight | 14.4 h | |
| Wind | 22 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 Plettenberg Bay 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 crowdsMatric Rage, 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 Plettenberg Bay'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 weatherPlettenberg Bay's weather doesn't swing hard through the year — comfort stays fairly steady in every month.
What's on in Plettenberg Bay in December
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Nature
Whale season
1 Jul – 15 Dec · usuallyThe official whale season runs July to December, with southern right whales through the middle of it and migrating humpbacks arriving with their calves from early November. Bryde's whales and dolphins are around the bay year-round. Source ↗
- Holiday
Matric Rage
27 Nov – 3 DecSchool holidaysCrowdedPlett is one of South Africa's biggest Rage destinations: a week when school-leavers from across the country take over Central Beach and Cairnbrogie Farm for parties running from early afternoon into the night. Source ↗
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of Plettenberg Bay — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
Where is Plettenberg Bay?
Plettenberg Bay in December — FAQ
- Is December a good time to visit Plettenberg Bay?
- December in Plettenberg Bay: nice, a little rain, with clean air — one of the best months to visit. It ranks #2 of 12 months for Plettenberg Bay on SeasonMap's comfort score (88/100).
- What is the weather like in Plettenberg Bay in December?
- In December, Plettenberg Bay averages a daily high of 22.5°C and a low of 16.1°C, with about 37.5 mm of rain over roughly 8.7 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Plettenberg Bay in December?
- Plettenberg Bay has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 28 in December.
Other months in Plettenberg Bay
Compare Plettenberg Bay in December
Warmer or cooler than Plettenberg Bay in December
Similar destinations in Southern Africa — December
Within 300 km: Knysna's Garden Route summer holidays around 15 Dec – 15 Jan, and Port Elizabeth's Eastern Cape summer holidays around 15 Dec – 15 Jan.