Dawn and first light in Cape Town
First light (civil dawn) in Cape Town today is at 07:14, about 27 minutes before the sun rises at 07:41. The very first glow, astronomical dawn, begins at 06:14. Times for Wednesday, 29 July 2026, in Cape Town's local time zone.
| Stage | What it means | Local time |
|---|---|---|
| Astronomical dawn | sun 18° below, first trace of light | 06:14 |
| Nautical dawn | sun 12° below, horizon visible at sea | 06:44 |
| Civil dawn (first light) | sun 6° below, enough light to see | 07:14 |
| Sunrise | the sun clears the horizon | 07:41 |
Dawn in Cape Town, stage by stage
Dawn in Cape Town unfolds in three stages before the sun appears. Astronomical dawn is the first faint light, when the sun is 18 degrees below the horizon. Nautical dawn follows at 12 degrees, and civil dawn, the moment there is enough light to see and move around, arrives at 6 degrees below. This civil dawn is what most people call first light. From there the sky brightens quickly to sunrise. The whole sequence is longer at high latitudes, where the sun climbs toward the horizon at a shallow angle, and short and fast near the equator. Every time here is computed for Cape Town's coordinates and shown in its local time zone.
Frequently asked questions about dawn in Cape Town
What time is first light in Cape Town today?
First light (civil dawn) in Cape Town is at 07:14 on Wednesday, 29 July 2026, about 27 minutes before sunrise at 07:41. All times are in Cape Town's local time zone.
What is the difference between dawn and sunrise in Cape Town?
Dawn is the growing twilight before the sun appears; sunrise is the single instant the sun's edge clears the horizon in Cape Town. First light (civil dawn) comes first, then sunrise.
When does astronomical dawn start in Cape Town?
Astronomical dawn, the first faint light with the sun 18 degrees below the horizon, begins at 06:14 in Cape Town on Wednesday, 29 July 2026.
Every time on this page is computed from Cape Town's coordinates with SunCalc, not estimated or looked up from a table.