Golden Hour at Table Mountain
Cape Town, South Africa — Flat-topped mountain overlooking Cape Town and two oceans.
Golden hour at Table Mountain varies from 38 minutes in the morning to 38 minutes in the evening during peak months (June, July, December). Sunrise ranges from 05:50 in January to 05:29 in December. Flat-topped mountain overlooking Cape Town and two oceans. This guide shows computed sunrise, sunset, and golden hour times for every month of the year, with compass bearings to help you plan your composition. Milky Way core visibility data is included for astrophotography planning. All times are calculated with a precision astronomical engine. Use Heliora to see terrain-adjusted times from any exact vantage point.
Monthly Sun Times & Golden Hour
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Gold AM | Gold PM | Sunrise ° | Sunset ° |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 05:50 | 20:00 | 36m | 36m | 116° ESE | 244° WSW |
| Feb | 06:21 | 19:38 | 34m | 34m | 106° ESE | 254° WSW |
| Mar | 06:45 | 19:04 | 33m | 33m | 93° E | 267° W |
| Apr | 07:08 | 18:23 | 34m | 34m | 79° E | 281° WNW |
| May | 07:31 | 17:53 | 36m | 36m | 68° ENE | 292° WNW |
| Jun | 07:49 | 17:43 | 38m | 38m | 62° ENE | 298° WNW |
| Jul | 07:49 | 17:55 | 37m | 37m | 64° ENE | 296° WNW |
| Aug | 07:25 | 18:16 | 35m | 35m | 74° ENE | 286° WNW |
| Sep | 06:45 | 18:37 | 33m | 33m | 87° E | 273° W |
| Oct | 06:05 | 18:59 | 33m | 33m | 101° E | 259° W |
| Nov | 05:34 | 19:27 | 35m | 35m | 113° ESE | 247° WSW |
| Dec | 05:29 | 19:53 | 37m | 37m | 119° ESE | 241° WSW |
Best months for golden hour: June, July, December. Times shown for the 15th of each month.
See the sun's path with real terrain horizon for any date
Milky Way Visibility at Table Mountain
Hours of Milky Way core visibility per month (galactic center above horizon during astronomical darkness). Peak: June
| Month | Dark Sky Hours with MW Core |
|---|---|
| Jan | |
| Feb | |
| Mar | |
| Apr | |
| May | |
| Jun | |
| Jul | |
| Aug | |
| Sep | |
| Oct | |
| Nov | |
| Dec |
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is golden hour at Table Mountain?
- Golden hour at Table Mountain varies by season. The longest golden hour sessions are in June, July, December. Morning golden hour lasts 38m and evening 38m during the peak month.
- What time is sunrise at Table Mountain?
- Sunrise ranges from 05:50 in January to 05:29 in December.
- What direction does the sun rise and set at Table Mountain?
- Sunrise bearing shifts from 119° ESE in winter to 62° ENE in summer. Sunset shifts from 241° WSW to 298° WNW.
- What is the best time of year to photograph Table Mountain?
- For golden hour photography, the best months are June, July, December when golden hour is longest. For Milky Way photography, the best months are June, May, July.
- What time should I arrive to photograph sunrise at Table Mountain?
- Arrive 30-45 minutes before sunrise to catch blue hour and set up. In January, that means arriving by 05:10. Use Heliora to check terrain-adjusted sunrise, as mountains may delay the actual moment the sun appears.
- Does the terrain affect sunrise or sunset times at Table Mountain?
- Yes. Mountains, ridges, and buildings can delay sunrise or bring sunset earlier than flat-earth calculations show. Use Heliora to see the real terrain horizon from any exact viewpoint and get terrain-adjusted sun times.
- Can you see the Milky Way from Table Mountain?
- Yes, the Milky Way core is visible from Table Mountain during June, May, July. Best visibility requires clear skies and minimal light pollution. Use Heliora to check exact times for your visit date.
- Is Table Mountain good for astrophotography?
- Table Mountain has up to 11 hours of dark sky with the Milky Way core visible during peak months (June, May, July). Check local light pollution conditions and plan around the new moon for best results.
Nearby Locations
- Sossusvlei 1070 km
- Victoria Falls 1931 km
- Serengeti 3909 km
- Iguazú Falls 6943 km
- Torres del Paine 7184 km