Best Time to Visit Cape Verde: Month-by-Month Guide (Weather, Prices, Activities)
Quick answer: the best time to visit Cape Verde is November to June — dry, sunny and warm without excess. For the lowest prices, aim for May–June or September–October. But honestly? With 350 days of sunshine a year, there is no bad month; there's just a better month for what you want to do.
Cape Verde weather month by month
| Period | Air / Sea temp | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Dec – Feb | 24–26 °C / 23 °C | High season. Sunny, breezy; strongest winds — kitesurf heaven. Book early. |
| Mar – Jun | 25–27 °C / 23–25 °C | Superb all-rounder: warm, dry, fewer crowds; May–June is a sweet spot for prices. |
| Jul – Sep | 27–30 °C / 25–27 °C | Hottest and most humid; brief showers possible (Aug–Sep). Turtle nesting season. Greener islands. |
| Oct – Nov | 27–28 °C / 26 °C | Sea at its warmest, landscape still green, prices soft until mid-December. |
The cheapest time to travel to Cape Verde
Flights and hotels are at their lowest from May to June and September to mid-October, between the European holiday peaks. Avoid Christmas–New Year, February (carnival in Mindelo) and August if budget is the priority. Local tip: our concierge can also negotiate low-season rates directly with local owners — ask us on WhatsApp.
The right season for each activity
- Beach & swimming: excellent all year; the sea is warmest August–November.
- Kitesurf & windsurf: November to March, when the trade winds are strongest (see things to do in Sal).
- Hiking (Santo Antão, Fogo): November to June — dry trails and clear views; September–October is greenest.
- Sea turtles: nesting June–October, hatchings until November.
- Whale watching: humpbacks pass February–May, best around Boa Vista and Sal.
- Music & festivals: Mindelo's carnival in February, the Gamboa festival in Praia in May, Baía das Gatas in August.
When to go, island by island
Sal and Boa Vista are reliable year-round beach bets. Santo Antão shines in the dry season for trekking. Santiago and Fogo work any time — just avoid mid-August's heat for the volcano climb if you can.
FAQ — Best time to visit Cape Verde
What is the rainy season?
August to September, but "rainy" is generous: showers are short and mostly hit the mountainous islands. Sal and Boa Vista often stay dry.
Is Christmas a good time?
Weather-wise, yes — sunny and fresh. It's also peak season: book flights and rooms two-three months ahead.
When is the sea warmest?
From August to November (25–27 °C). It never drops below ~22–23 °C the rest of the year.
What's the windiest period?
December to March. Great for kitesurfers, breezier on the beach — pick sheltered west-coast spots if you dislike wind.
Ready to plan? Read where to stay in Cape Verde, how to plan the perfect trip, or let our local concierge organise everything — car from €50/day, stays, transfers — on WhatsApp.