What wetsuit do you need in South Africa?
The one suit that covers most of the swimming season, for 15 coastal cities in South Africa.
| City | Coldest | Warmest | One suit for the season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Town | 14.3°C Apr | 16.4°C Feb | 3/2 mm full suit |
| Durban | 21.1°C Aug | 26.3°C Feb | nothing |
| Gqeberha | 17.0°C Jul | 20.8°C Feb | nothing, or a rash vest |
| East London | 19.8°C Sep | 23.3°C Feb | nothing, or a rash vest |
| Richards Bay | 21.5°C Aug | 26.9°C Feb | nothing |
| Somerset West | 14.4°C Aug | 18.7°C Feb | shorty, or skins if you are used to it |
| George | 16.0°C Jul | 21.8°C Feb | nothing, or a rash vest |
| Mossel Bay | 15.8°C Jul | 21.7°C Feb | nothing, or a rash vest |
| Knysna | 16.7°C Aug | 21.1°C Feb | nothing, or a rash vest |
| Saldanha | 14.8°C Aug | 16.3°C Feb | 3/2 mm full suit |
| Tongaat | 20.7°C Aug | 25.9°C Feb | nothing |
| Plettenberg Bay | 16.8°C Aug | 21.0°C Feb | nothing, or a rash vest |
| Jeffreys Bay | 17.4°C Aug | 20.4°C Feb | nothing, or a rash vest |
| Port Alfred | 17.9°C Sep | 20.4°C Feb | nothing, or a rash vest |
| Port Saint John’s | 21.1°C Aug | 26.0°C Feb | nothing |
Thicknesses above are for swimming. Surfing the same water wants a step more — most of a session is spent sitting still in the wind rather than moving and immersed. Each city page gives both, along with when you need boots, gloves and a hood.
Sea temperature and swimming season in South Africa →
Boots below 14°C, gloves below 12°C, a hood below 10°C. Where the numbers come from