Simon's Town in December: Weather, Prices and What Is On

December is peak season in Simon's Town, and the difference between a good trip and a frustrating one comes down to booking early and knowing which days to move.

What December weather actually does here

Simon's Town sits on the False Bay side of the peninsula, and that matters in December. While the Atlantic seaboard swelters, this coast catches the south-easterly and often runs two to four degrees cooler, with average highs around 25C and water in the bay near 19C, which is why the beaches here are swimmable when Camps Bay is bracing. Mornings are usually clear; the wind picks up from late morning and drops again around six. Rain is uncommon but not unknown, and a strong south-easterly can close Boulders Beach for swimming even while the penguin boardwalks stay open.

Bring a windproof layer, not just swimwear. The prevailing wind funnels across the car park at Boulders and along the Seaforth strip, so a light jacket earns its place in the bag. If you have a free afternoon when the wind is up, drive the ten minutes to Scratch Patch in Simon's Town, or take the coastal road south past Miller's Point, which is more sheltered. The best light for photographs on the False Bay coast is early morning, before the wind arrives and before the tour buses reach Boulders.

Prices, crowds and booking timing

December is the most expensive month on the peninsula, and Simon's Town is no exception. Guesthouses along St George's Street and the Seaforth waterfront typically charge their annual peak rates from roughly mid-December to the first week of January, and the gap between the first and second week of the month can be substantial. Rates usually drop sharply after 5 January. If your dates are flexible at all, arriving in the first ten days of December gives you the same weather at noticeably lower room rates and much thinner crowds at Boulders and the navy museum.

Book accommodation before you book flights if the flights are refundable, because the good small guesthouses here sell out first. The town has limited stock: a handful of larger hotels, a spread of guesthouses and self-catering cottages, and almost nothing new opening. Staying in Simon's Town itself beats commuting from Muizenberg, which is 25 to 35 minutes away along the M4 and gets congested on weekend mornings. If you are weighing a Cape Town city-centre base against a peninsula one, my recommendation is to split the trip: three nights in the city, two here, rather than day-tripping out from the centre.

Getting there and what is on

By car, Simon's Town is about 45 minutes from the city centre via the M3 and Ou Kaapse Weg, or closer to an hour on the scenic M4 through Muizenberg and Fish Hoek. The Simon's Town station on the Southern Line is the end of the commuter route, and the train ride from Cape Town is one of the great cheap excursions, though the service is slower and less frequent than the timetable suggests, so do not build a tight schedule on it. Parking near Boulders fills by mid-morning in December.

December brings the annual influx: the Simon's Town Museum and the South African Naval Museum both run holiday programmes, the Jubilee Square waterfront gets busier, and the restaurants along the main road book out for dinner. Boulders Beach is the anchor attraction and needs a timed slot in peak weeks. The penguin viewing is best before 10am. Skip the organised boat trips to Seal Island if the south-easterly is blowing; you will spend the crossing being soaked rather than watching seals.

Where I would stay, and what to skip

For a couple wanting to walk to dinner and the penguins, I would book a guesthouse on or just off St George's Street, within five minutes of Jubilee Square. For families, self-catering in Seaforth or near Long Beach gives you space and parking and puts you closer to the quieter swimming. Avoid the handful of properties strung along the main road north of town: you get traffic noise and still pay December rates. Anything advertising a sea view should be checked on a map, because the naval base blocks much of the western outlook.

Two things to skip. First, do not plan a beach day at Boulders itself unless you are there for the penguins; the entry fee covers the boardwalk and the small beach, and it is crowded. Long Beach, five minutes south, is free and better for swimming. Second, do not attempt the Cape Point drive on a weekend between Christmas and New Year; the gate queues at the national park run long. Go on a weekday, leave Simon's Town by 8am, and you will have the lighthouse road largely to yourself.

Questions, answered

Is December a good time to visit Simon's Town?

Yes, for weather and wildlife, provided you book early and accept peak rates. Expect warm, windy days around 25C, busy beaches and full guesthouses in the second half of the month. The first ten days of December are quieter and cheaper with essentially the same conditions.

How far is Simon's Town from Cape Town city centre?

About 45 minutes by car via the M3 and Ou Kaapse Weg, or roughly an hour on the scenic M4 coastal route. The Southern Line train also connects the two but runs slowly and infrequently, so allow extra time and avoid relying on it for tight connections.

Do I need to book Boulders Beach in advance in December?

In peak December weeks, yes. Entry is timed and the car park fills by mid-morning. Arrive before 10am for the best penguin viewing and easier parking, and buy your ticket online where possible to avoid standing in the queue at the gate.

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