The month in detail
What to expect in December
Even in winter, Durban enjoys 26.0°F. A real asset for escaping the European cold. Expect rain on 45.0% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended. A good balance between weather and crowds, even if May (8.4/10) remains theoretically better.
December ranks 9 out of 12 months in Durban. Compared to November: +2°F daytime, +0.6h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in December
UV index
8 · high
sunscreen and hat advised
Feels like
muggy at times
19°
Sea
25°C
pleasant for swimming
Daylight
13.9h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 27
Compare
Is December the right month?
The best month in Durban is May (8.4/10), 0.6 pt higher than December.
Context
Our verdict
Durban is the other face of South Africa: less photographed than Cape Town but more tropical. Subtropical humid climate, sea always warm (72-79°F).
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Durban
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Durban
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a beach trip.
Country · South Africa
🗣️LanguageZulu
💶CurrencySouth African Rand (R)
🚗DrivingLeft-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘCheap · 2/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTemperate oceanic
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthJanuary · 82°F
❄️Coolest monthJuly · 72°F
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘDecember · 45%
🏖️ Beach trip
📅Peak seasonJuin → Sept
🏖️Swell (Sept–Mar) ⓘModérée
Explore
Other destinations in December
If December doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Durban ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
South AfricaTemperate oceanic climate with a 8.4 → 7.7 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
29.86°S · 31.02°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Durban?
May is the best month with 75°F highs, 59°F lows, 7.2h of sunshine and 16.0% rainy days. The months of May & June offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Durban get in May?
Durban averages 7.2 sunshine hours per day in May. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 7.9/10.
What is the rainiest month in Durban?
October is the most unfavourable month with October has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Durban in May?
In May, overnight lows reach 59°F, while afternoon highs average 75°F.
Is Durban good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Durban scores 7.4/10 on average — Acceptable conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains May with a score of 7.9/10.
When should you avoid Durban?
October is the most difficult month to visit Durban, with October has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in Durban in December?
In December, the sea averages 77°F in Durban: pleasant for swimming. Swimming is pleasant without a wetsuit.
Do you need sun protection in Durban in December?
The average UV index reaches 8 in December in Durban (high), with about 13.9h of daylight. Sunscreen and hat advised.