Durban Sunrise & Sunset: December 2026

December Sunrise & Sunset in Durban: Complete Monthly Guide

In December 2026, Durban has an average of 14h 01m of daylight per day. Sunrise times range from 04:49 at the start of the month to 04:58 at the end, while sunset shifts from 18:43 to 19:00.

December in Durban brings long summer days in the southern hemisphere. Average sunrise in December is 04:51 and average sunset is 18:54. The daily table above shows the exact sunrise and sunset time for each day of the month.

Day Length Variation in December

Day length in Durban in December changes throughout the month. Near the solstices (June 21 for the northern hemisphere, December 21 for the southern hemisphere), day length changes very slowly, less than 1 minute per day. Near the equinoxes (March 20 and September 22), day length changes rapidly, gaining or losing 2 to 4 minutes per day depending on latitude.

At Durban's latitude of -29.9°, the rate of day length change in December is approximately 1 to 2 minutes per day during the weeks furthest from the solstices. This means that sunrise in Durban shifts by approximately 20 to 40 minutes over the course of December.

Golden Hour in Durban in December

Golden hour in Durban in December occurs twice each day: in the morning shortly after sunrise, and in the evening before sunset. The duration depends on the sun's angle of elevation above the horizon, which varies with latitude and month. In Decemberat Durban's latitude of -29.9°, golden hour lasts approximately 25 to 45 minutes.

For photographers planning shoots in Durban in December: plan to arrive at your location 30 to 40 minutes before the listed sunrise time to capture blue hour before golden hour begins. The transition from blue hour to golden hour creates the most dramatic color sequences. Evening golden hour in December begins about 45 to 60 minutes before sunset and produces warmer, more orange tones than the morning session.

Blue Hour and Twilight in Durban in December

Civil twilight in Durban in December begins before sunrise and ends after sunset, creating windows of usable natural light even outside the official sunrise-to-sunset window. Civil twilight occurs when the sun is between 0 and 6 degrees below the horizon. Nautical twilight spans 6 to 12 degrees below the horizon. Astronomical twilight spans 12 to 18 degrees below the horizon.

The total twilight window in Durban in December extends the usable light day by approximately 45 to 70 minutes beyond the sunrise-to-sunset window. This extended twilight is valuable for photographers who want to shoot in soft, diffused light without harsh shadows.

Photography Tips for December in Durban

Shooting in Durban in December requires adapting to the season's specific light quality and timing. Camera settings for sunrise photography in December:

• Blue hour: ISO 800 to 1,600; aperture f/8; shutter speed 10 to 30 seconds on tripod.
• Golden hour: ISO 100 to 400; aperture f/8 to f/16 for landscapes, or f/1.8 to f/2.8 for portraits; shutter speed 1/250 to 1/1,000s handheld.
• Post-sunrise (30 minutes after): ISO 100; aperture f/11; shutter speed 1/500 to 1/2,000s.

In December, Durban's weather patterns affect photography conditions. Check cloud cover forecasts the evening before a planned shoot: a thin layer of clouds above the horizon creates more dramatic golden and orange tones than a clear sky. Fully overcast conditions produce flat, diffused light that is good for portraits but lacks the dramatic quality of golden hour. Partly cloudy skies create the most dramatic conditions.

About This Monthly Sunrise Data

All sunrise and sunset times in this December table for Durban are calculated using Jean Meeus astronomical algorithms, implemented via the SunCalc library. Calculations use the coordinates of Durban (-29.8587°, 31.0218°) and the local timezone (Africa/Johannesburg). Times are accurate to within 1 minute and account for atmospheric refraction.

The times shown are for the center of the sun crossing the horizon. Sunrise is defined as the moment when the upper limb of the sun first appears above the mathematical horizon. Sunset is when the upper limb disappears below the horizon. Both definitions account for atmospheric refraction, which lifts the apparent position of the sun by approximately 0.5 to 1 degree near the horizon.

Frequently Asked Questions: December Sunrise & Sunset in Durban

What is the average sunrise time in Durban in December?

The average sunrise time in Durban in December 2026 is approximately 04:51. This is based on the mid-month calculation for Durban at latitude -29.86° and longitude 31.02°. Actual daily sunrise times vary from 04:49 on the first of the month to 04:58 on the last day. See the full daily table above for exact times.

How many hours of daylight does Durban get in December?

Durban receives an average of 14h 01m of daylight per day in December 2026. This is calculated as the difference between sunrise and sunset and does not include twilight periods. Day length varies from 13h 55m on the first of the month to 14h 02m on the last day.

What is the earliest sunrise in Durban in December?

The earliest sunrise in Durban in December 2026 occurs on 2026-12-03 at 04:48. The latest sunrise in the month occurs on 2026-12-30 at 04:58.

What time is golden hour in Durban in December?

Golden hour in Durban in December occurs twice daily. Morning golden hour begins at sunrise (04:51 at mid-month) and lasts approximately 25 to 45 minutes. Evening golden hour begins approximately 45 to 60 minutes before sunset (18:54 at mid-month). The precise start of golden hour is when the sun's altitude drops below 6 degrees above the horizon.

Is December a good time to photograph sunrise in Durban?

December is summer in Durban's southern hemisphere location. Sunrise at 04:51 provides a reasonable start time for photography.

When does civil twilight start in Durban in December?

Civil twilight in Durban in December begins approximately 20 to 30 minutes before sunrise and ends 20 to 30 minutes after sunset. At Durban's latitude of -29.9°, civil twilight in December starts around 04:26 in the morning. Civil twilight provides enough light for outdoor activities without artificial lighting and is considered the beginning of the usable photography window each day.