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When to go · Cape Verde

Cape Verde, month by month

The best months for Cape Verde: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Nov, Dec.

Month by month

  1. JanuaryGreatDry, breezy and warm; peak European winter-sun season on Sal and Boa Vista.Flat eastern islands: best weather · Mountain islands: best weather · São Vicente and Mindelo: fineCrowds: High · 4 festivals or holidays
  2. FebruaryGreatCarnival in Mindelo (February or March); strong trade winds for kitesurfing.Flat eastern islands: best weather · Mountain islands: best weather · São Vicente and Mindelo: fineCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
  3. MarchGreatHumpback whales start appearing off Boa Vista; dust haze possible.Flat eastern islands: best weather · Mountain islands: best weather · São Vicente and Mindelo: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 3 festivals or holidays
  4. AprilGreatWarm, calmer wind; Easter pushes prices up for a week.Flat eastern islands: best weather · Mountain islands: best weather · São Vicente and Mindelo: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 3 festivals or holidays
  5. MayGreatGood hiking and beach weather; Gamboa music festival in Praia (check).Flat eastern islands: best weather · Mountain islands: best weather · São Vicente and Mindelo: best weatherCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
  6. JuneGreatHot, dry and quiet; good value.Flat eastern islands: best weather · Mountain islands: fine · São Vicente and Mindelo: best weatherCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
  7. JulyGoodTurtle nesting begins; 5 July Independence Day; European summer holidays.Flat eastern islands: fine · Mountain islands: fine · São Vicente and Mindelo: fineCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
  8. AugustMixedHumid; first rains on the mountain islands; Baía das Gatas festival.Flat eastern islands: fine · Mountain islands: rainy · São Vicente and Mindelo: fineCrowds: Medium · 2 festivals or holidays
  9. SeptemberMixedWettest month; occasional tropical storms and rough ferry crossings.Flat eastern islands: rainy · Mountain islands: rainy · São Vicente and Mindelo: rainyCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
  10. OctoberMixedRains fade; valleys green; turtle hatchlings on Boa Vista.Flat eastern islands: fine · Mountain islands: rainy · São Vicente and Mindelo: fineCrowds: Low
  11. NovemberGreatDry season returns; ideal hiking on Santo Antão.Flat eastern islands: best weather · Mountain islands: best weather · São Vicente and Mindelo: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
  12. DecemberGreatChristmas and New Year peak on the beach islands; book early.Flat eastern islands: best weather · Mountain islands: best weather · São Vicente and Mindelo: fineCrowds: High · 3 festivals or holidays

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Cape Verde, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Jan: Great

    Feb: Great

  • Crowds

    Jan: High

    Feb: High

  • Prices

    Jan: High

    Feb: High

  • Festivals listed

    Jan: 4

    Feb: 2

January: Dry, breezy and warm; peak European winter-sun season on Sal and Boa Vista.

February: Carnival in Mindelo (February or March); strong trade winds for kitesurfing.

Cape Verde: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

Weather by region

How each climate zone rates each month.

Weather rating by region and month
RegionJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Flat eastern islandsSal, Boa Vista, MaioBestBestBestBestBestBestOKOKWetOKBestBest
Mountain islandsSanto Antão, Fogo, Santiago interior, São Nicolau, BravaBestBestBestBestBestOKOKWetWetWetBestBest
São Vicente and MindeloSão VicenteOKOKBestBestBestBestOKOKWetOKBestOK