Best Time to Visit Gqeberha

Summer: warm, busy and a bit muggy

December to March is when Gqeberha (still called Port Elizabeth by many locals) fills up. Days reach about 25°C in January, February and March, and nights stay mild. It feels humid, though, and rain falls on around eight days a month, usually in short bursts. The big draw is the beach. Hobie Beach and King's Beach, both near the city centre, are lively on weekends. Travelling with kids? South African school holidays run over December and January, so expect full beaches and busy rooms. The Algoa Bay coast is also a good base for Addo Elephant National Park, about an hour away.

Autumn and winter: calm, clear and cool

April to August is the quiet stretch. Days cool from 23°C in April to 19°C in July, which is the coldest month. Rain falls on only five days a month from May to July. The air feels drier, and you'll want a jumper in the evenings. This is a good time for the Baviaanskloof or the trails at Cape Recife Nature Reserve, where it's comfortable to walk for hours. If you hate crowds, you'll like the empty sand and easy bookings. Whale season runs roughly from June to November, and southern right whales sometimes show up in Algoa Bay. Dolphins are common all year.

Spring: changeable but easy

September to November warms up slowly, from 20°C to 22°C. September is the driest month in the data at 26 mm. October is the wettest at 49 mm, so pack for the odd soggy afternoon. Even so, you'll still get around seven hours of sun a day. Spring suits road trips along the Sunshine Coast and the Garden Route, which starts just up the road. Prices and crowds usually stay lower until the December rush.

Which month for which trip?

Every month rates Excellent, so it comes down to taste. Beach days and swimming suit January to March. Hiking, game drives and wildlife suit May to September. If you want a bit of both, try April or November. Local events change from year to year, so check dates for anything you've got your heart set on.