Season | Winter Average Temperature for August | 13 Celsius | 55 Fahrenheit
What
Wine tasting in cosy cellars (South Africa has superb vintages), dining on excellent cuisine and going out on the Atlantic Ocean to enjoy watching southern right whales feed, mate and play.
Why
By August, big pods of southern right whales have generally swum up on their annual migration from the Antarctic to take advance of the impending spring in the relatively warmer waters of the Atlantic. Hermanus – less than a two-hour very scenic drive from Cape Town – the world capital for whale watching, these massive mammals often seen in the town’s Walker Bay. Elsewhere, the Cape Winelands – also only an hour’s drive from Cape Town – are lending themselves to idyllic winter days.
When to book
Whale-watching season usually peaks in August and visitors flock to Hermanus, especially on weekends. Book as far in advance as you can to secure the best accommodation. The good news is that Cape Town and the Winelands are fairly quiet at this time of year – perfect for a last-minute holiday.