Seasonal ranking

Coldest sea temperature in South Africa in January

Where the sea is coolest across South Africa during January, ranked by long-term monthly average water temperature. Clifton 2nd Beach (Western Cape, South Africa) is the coolest at around 14°C. Open any spot for today's live water temperature and a 7-day swim forecast.

  1. 1
    Clifton 2nd Beach
    Western Cape · South Africa · Atlantic Ocean
    Cold — wetsuit strongly recommended
    14°C
    January average
  2. 2
    Durban North Beach
    KwaZulu-Natal · South Africa · Indian Ocean
    Warm — comfortable swimming
    24°C
    January average
  3. 3
    Muizenberg Beach
    Western Cape · South Africa · Indian Ocean
    Warm — comfortable swimming
    24°C
    January average
  4. 4
    Plettenberg Bay
    Western Cape · South Africa · Indian Ocean
    Warm — comfortable swimming
    24°C
    January average
  5. 5
    Umhlanga Beach
    KwaZulu-Natal · South Africa · Indian Ocean
    Warm — comfortable swimming
    24°C
    January average
  6. 6
    Coffee Bay Beach
    Eastern Cape · South Africa · Indian Ocean
    Warm — comfortable swimming
    24°C
    January average
  7. 7
    Jeffreys Bay
    Eastern Cape · South Africa · Indian Ocean
    Warm — comfortable swimming
    24°C
    January average
  8. 8
    Boulders Beach
    Western Cape · South Africa · Atlantic Ocean
    Warm — comfortable swimming
    28°C
    January average

Coldest sea in January elsewhere

South Africa in January — frequently asked questions

Where is the sea coldest in South Africa in January?
Clifton 2nd Beach in South Africa has the coldest sea in South Africa in January, averaging about 14.0 °C. Durban North Beach (24.0 °C) and Muizenberg Beach are the next coolest.
How many beaches in South Africa are warm enough to swim in January?
7 of the top 8 ranked beaches in South Africa average 22 °C or more in January, which most swimmers find comfortable without a wetsuit.
How are these January sea temperatures calculated?
Each figure is a long-term monthly average sea surface temperature for that location, so it reflects a typical January rather than today's reading. Open a beach page for the live water temperature and 7-day forecast.

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