South Africa
Durban in May
🍂 AutumnPleasant and mostly dry.
🎒 Pack: sunglasses & hat
Why May scores 9.2What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort9.6
- ✓Comfortable temperatures (25°C highs / 14°C lows)
- ✓Slightly humid (dew point 15°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~47 mm rain)
- Air quality8.4
- ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~15 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline7.0
- ·Increased caution
| May | Aug | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 9.2 Excellent | 9.3 Excellent |
| Season | 🍂 Autumn | 🧥 Winter |
| High / low | 25° / 14° | 23° / 13° |
| Rain | 47 mm | 31 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 15° | dew pt 14° |
| PM2.5 | 15 µg/m³ | 13 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Durban weather-station normals. Rainfall: Durban weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsMay 2027
No long holidaysNo long public-holiday weekends this month. School holidays aren't counted, so check those if you want to avoid family crowds.
Other public holidays: Workers' Day (1 May)
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore DurbanEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyA port city on South Africa's warm Indian Ocean coast, known for beaches, surfing, a strong Indian heritage and Durban curry.
No major events on our calendar for May.
Coming up later
Comrades MarathonDate variesUsually June
An ultra-marathon of about 90 km, with direction alternating between years.
Why go: Roads close along the route.
Where: Between Durban and Pietermaritzburg
Sardine RunDate variesUsually June to July
Huge shoals of sardines move up the coast, followed by dolphins, sharks and birds.
Why go: Timing and size vary greatly between years.
Where: KwaZulu-Natal south coast
Durban JulyDate variesUsually the first Saturday in July
South Africa's most famous horse race and a fashion event.
Why go: Hotels fill up and dress codes apply in many areas.
Where: Greyville Racecourse
Golden Mile
A long beachfront promenade with beaches, piers and surf spots.
💡 Swim only between the lifeguard flags.
uShaka Marine World
An aquarium and water park on the beachfront.
Moses Mabhida Stadium
The 2010 World Cup stadium with an arch you can climb or ride up.
Victoria Street Market
A market for spices, crafts and Indian goods.
Durban Botanic Gardens
Africa's oldest surviving botanic garden.
Valley of a Thousand Hills
Rolling countryside inland with Zulu cultural experiences.
Bunny chow
A hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with curry, a Durban invention.
Durban curry
Fiery red curries from the city's Indian community.
Samoosas
Fried pastries filled with spiced meat or vegetables.
Braai
South African barbecue.
Zulu beadwork
Colourful beaded jewellery and items.
💡 Craft markets and the beachfront
Spices
Curry blends with local names.
💡 Victoria Street Market
Woven baskets
Baskets woven from ilala palm.
💡 Craft markets