It’s the Summer of ’25!

Cape Town Summertime

Summer here is all about sunbathing, swimming, surfing, stand-up paddling, kayaking and sailing. There’s a holiday vibe everywhere you go: open-air bars, seaside restaurants, long pavement strolls and sunset cruises. Thrill-seekers can zipline, paraglide, heli-hop or dive into seafood feasts across the city.

Capetonians welcome summer with open arms because it waves goodbye to the rain and says hello to long, golden days. Hearts beat faster, playlists get louder, sunsets steal the show and beach days become a way of life. Just keep an eye on the southeaster wind – when it blows, the coast can be blustery, but the Cape Winelands often sit peacefully in its shadow. When the Winelands heat up, the mountains offer cool relief. Cape Town always balances things out.

The long-running debate about whether summer is the best time to visit continues. Families with children dive happily into the festive buzz, while solo travellers may feel swept along by the crowds. Prices climb, calendars fill up and the city buzzes with energy. Food, music and laughter flow freely, and there’s always something happening somewhere.

When to Visit Cape Town

Every season in Cape Town brings its own little surprise party. In fact, locals joke that you can experience all four seasons in a single day – sometimes before lunch. The best time to visit Cape Town? Easy. Any time. Every time. Summer, autumn, winter and spring all roll out their own magic carpet, each with a few quirks to keep things interesting.

Rule number one of visiting the Mother City: pack everything. A jacket, a sunhat, a swimsuit, a scarf and an umbrella are all essential travel companions. Yes, really. Cape Town likes to keep you guessing – and that’s half the fun.

Arrive in the City Bowl on a sizzling hot day and take a short drive out of town, only to have the famous southeaster wind give you a brisk wake-up call. Arrive at the V&A Waterfront on a cold, rainy morning, then escape to the Cape Winelands and suddenly find yourself basking in calm sunshine, surrounded by vineyards and mountain views. Cape Town is full of these delightful plot twists.

Recently crowned the top city in the world by seasoned travellers, Cape Town truly shines during summer (November to April). This is peak season, when South Africans switch into holiday mode and visitors from the Northern Hemisphere flock south to escape snow, ice and grey skies. These winter escapees are affectionately known as the “swallows,” and they arrive just as the city starts humming.

Fishing Is Fun in Fish Hoek

A fishing holiday in Cape Town finds its sweet spot in False Bay, and Fish Hoek is a firm family favourite. With its long sandy beach, friendly restaurants and kid-friendly atmosphere, it’s a place where fishing rods meet ice cream cones. Unsurprisingly, many anglers choose the bays and villages around Fish Hoek to cast their lines.

With a name that practically promises a good catch, Fish Hoek is tailor-made for relaxed seaside holidays. Think dripping soft-serve cones, cappuccinos enjoyed from deck chairs and easy days by the water. Seaside Cottages offers welcoming self-catering accommodation steps from the beach, catering for beginner anglers, seasoned pros and everyone who comes along for the ride.

From Fish Hoek and Sunny Cove all the way to Cape Point, fishing spots abound – from shorelines and rocky outcrops to boat launches. Stretching from Fish Hoek through Kalk Bay to Gordon’s Bay, fishing here can be thrilling, frustrating and deeply rewarding, sometimes all in one day. Explore favourites like Baden-Powell Road, Strandfontein, Simon’s Town, Soetwater, Misty Cliffs and the Kalk Bay Harbour Wall – each with its own character and challenge.

Ocean Adventures Make False Bay Shine

Fish Hoek sits at the heart of ocean and beach life. Surf ski, kayaking and paddling events take place throughout the year, and the area is home to the legendary Mocke Surfski School. Founded in 2002 by the Mocke family, it has evolved into a hub for camps, lessons, courses, and competitions, welcoming ocean enthusiasts from around the world.

Stay at Seaside Cottages, and you’re perfectly placed: check into your beachside home-away-from-home, stroll up the sand for professional surf ski coaching, and soak up practical advice about ocean safety and paddling skills. A family holiday in Fish Hoek isn’t just a break – it’s an experience. If you love the sea, meeting Jasper and Dawid Mocke, world-champion surf ski paddlers with a deep passion for people and the ocean, is a highlight in itself.

False Bay itself is alive with movement. Divers slip beneath the surface to find jewel-like nudibranchs and abalone tucked into kelp forests. Boats venture offshore in search of whales, while currents and upwelling create one of the richest marine ecosystems in the region. From Gordon’s Bay to Cape Point, this stretch of ocean is a liquid wilderness bursting with life.

Whether you’re watching penguins waddle ashore at Boulders Beach, gliding through kelp forests, or spotting the sleek black fins of orcas cutting through silver waves, you’re witnessing nature at its most dramatic. This summer, as False Bay sparkles under the sun, keep your eyes on the horizon – because in Cape Town, the next unforgettable moment is never far away.

Book Your Break at Seaside Cottages

Summer holidays in Fish Hoek mean ocean sports and beach fun. At Seaside Cottages, the warmer mornings and teasing southeasterly breezes pre-empt a summer packed with energy and so much to do. As Christmas approaches, the local ocean sports calendar is packed — paddlers, lifesavers, fishermen, and sailors are already lining up for a season full of action. Whether you’re into surfski racing, canoe training, kayak paddling, or just cheering from the beach, something is happening almost every week.

Make Seaside Cottages your home away from home as you throw yourself into a December holiday like no other.