UV Index in Cape Town

Cape Town sits in the extreme UV band during peak season. Fair skin can burn in under 15 minutes at noon. Plan outdoor time before 10am or after 4pm whenever possible. SPF 50 broad-spectrum is the floor, not the ceiling — apply 2 milligrams per square centimetre, which most people under-apply by a factor of three.

Reapply every 90 minutes during peak hours, immediately after swimming or heavy sweating. UPF 50 clothing covers more reliably than sunscreen on areas you can clothe — long sleeves, brimmed hat, UV-blocking sunglasses are not paranoia, they are the local norm in places like Cape Town.

Whatever Cape Town's climatology says, the live reading above is what counts on the day you check. UV varies hour by hour; the widget shows current and forecast values so you can plan around peak hours.