Mid-summer · Weather & things to do
Knysna & Plettenberg Bay in January
Knysna & Plettenberg Bay edges warmer than December, with highs of 82°F (28°C), lows of 65°F (18°C) and about 1.5 in (38 mm) of rain.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 89/100, 11th of 12.
- Avg high
- 82°F (28°C)
- Avg low
- 65°F (18°C)
- Rain
- 1.5 in (38 mm)
- Humidity
- 72%
- Cloud cover
- 48%
- Daylight
- ~14 h 02 min
- Comfort score
- 89/100 · Great
What January feels like
Days are warm, averaging 82°F (28°C), easy weather for being outside from morning to evening.
Nights cool to an average low of 65°F (18°C).
About 1.5 in (38 mm) of rain falls in a typical year's January.
Plan around January
January sits mid-table; the best months are May – September and December.
- Comfort slips from 92/100 in December to 89/100.
- January sits inside the Oct – Apr window our Cape Town, Winelands & Garden Route recommends.
What to pack for January
- Light, breathable clothes82°F afternoons
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hatstrong sun this month
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Knysna & Plettenberg Bay in January
January is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
Monkeyland
Free-roaming primate sanctuary in The Crags with guided forest walks and a 128 m suspension bridge.
Why now January scores 89/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Brenton-on-Sea
Long, wild beach west of the Knysna Heads, good for walks below vegetated dunes.
Why now Highs near 82°F and 1.5 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Robberg Nature Reserve
Rocky peninsula in Plettenberg Bay with hiking loops, seal colonies and whale views in season.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
Featherbed Nature Reserve
Ferry across the lagoon to the western head, then a guided walk down through the private reserve.
Knysna Heads
Twin sandstone cliffs at the narrow mouth of the Knysna Lagoon, with lookouts on the eastern head.
Nearby in January
- Stellenbosch & Franschhoek in January~240 mi · highs 81°F, 0.8 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, drier
- Cape Town in January~265 mi · highs 71°F, 0.6 in rain · 6°C (11°F) cooler by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~349 m to Knysna & Plettenberg Bay's ~11 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Knysna & Plettenberg Bay in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Knysna & Plettenberg Bay?
It's middling, scoring 89/100. The best months are May – September and December, at up to 95. Expect highs of 82°F (28°C) and 1.5 in (38 mm) of rain. January is inside the Oct – Apr window our Cape Town, Winelands & Garden Route recommends.
How hot is Knysna & Plettenberg Bay in January?
Average highs are 82°F (28°C) and average lows 65°F (18°C), making it the 2nd-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Knysna & Plettenberg Bay in January?
Not much: about 1.5 in (38 mm) of rain falls across January on average, the 4th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 20.8 in (529 mm).
What should I pack for Knysna & Plettenberg Bay in January?
Bring light, breathable clothes (82°F afternoons), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (strong sun this month) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Knysna & Plettenberg Bay
Routes in season in January
- Cape Town, Winelands & Garden Route Oct – Apr
Planning Knysna & Plettenberg Bay in January?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.