Country guide
Cape Verde weather by month
Cape Verde stays warm throughout the year: daytime averages range from 23°C to 28°C, so the main choice is between cooler, drier weather and warmer seas with some rain. For beach holidays, autumn offers sea temperatures reaching 27°C; for city walks, the cooler months are a better fit. Boa Vista is warmer overall than Sal, making your island choice useful if you prefer either extra warmth or gentler daytime temperatures.
- Hottest month
- 28.2°CSeptember
- Coolest month
- 23.2°CFebruary
- Warmest sea
- 26.6°CSeptember
- Destinations tracked
- 2warmest: Boa Vista
Cape Verde, month by month
A little perspective
Cape Verde through the year
Country figures are the mean of the 2 destinations listed below; individual resorts can differ by several degrees.
| Month | Day | Night | Sea | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23.5°C | 20.6°C | 22.7°C | 5.9 | 5 | 1 | 24% |
| February | 23.2°C | 20.1°C | 21.9°C | 6.5 | 2 | 0 | 21% |
| March | 23.4°C | 20.1°C | 21.9°C | 7.3 | 1 | 0 | 23% |
| April | 23.7°C | 20.5°C | 22.2°C | 6.9 | 1 | 0 | 28% |
| May | 24.2°C | 21.1°C | 22.5°C | 7.8 | 0 | 0 | 41% |
| June | 25.0°C | 22.0°C | 23.0°C | 8.5 | 0 | 0 | 55% |
| Julybest | 26.3°C | 23.1°C | 24.2°C | 7.1 | 3 | 1 | 65% |
| August | 27.7°C | 24.7°C | 26.0°C | 6.3 | 19 | 3 | 94% |
| September | 28.2°C | 25.3°C | 26.6°C | 6.4 | 34 | 5 | 100% |
| Octoberbest | 27.9°C | 24.9°C | 26.6°C | 6.4 | 17 | 2 | 96% |
| Novemberbest | 26.7°C | 23.7°C | 25.8°C | 5.3 | 4 | 1 | 78% |
| December | 24.9°C | 22.1°C | 24.1°C | 5.5 | 3 | 1 | 47% |
Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.
Day, night and sea
Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020
- Day
- Night
- Sea
When to go to Cape Verde
Daytime highs average 25°C or more in June, July, August, September, October, November. The sea reaches a swimmable 22°C from January to December. Winter (December to February) averages 24°C by day - genuine winter sun. September is the wettest month (34 mm) and May the driest (0 mm).
Destinations in Cape Verde
Each has a 12-month table; our most searched places have month-by-month detail pages.
Warmest place in Cape Verde each month
| Month | Warmest destination | Day | Coolest destination | Day | Warmest sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Boa Vista | 25°C | Sal | 22°C | Boa Vista 23°C |
| February | Boa Vista | 25°C | Sal | 22°C | Boa Vista 22°C |
| March | Boa Vista | 25°C | Sal | 22°C | Boa Vista 22°C |
| April | Boa Vista | 25°C | Sal | 22°C | Boa Vista 22°C |
| May | Boa Vista | 26°C | Sal | 23°C | Boa Vista 23°C |
| June | Boa Vista | 27°C | Sal | 23°C | Boa Vista 23°C |
| July | Boa Vista | 28°C | Sal | 25°C | Boa Vista 24°C |
| August | Boa Vista | 29°C | Sal | 26°C | Boa Vista 26°C |
| September | Boa Vista | 29°C | Sal | 27°C | Boa Vista 27°C |
| October | Boa Vista | 29°C | Sal | 27°C | Boa Vista 27°C |
| November | Boa Vista | 28°C | Sal | 25°C | Sal 26°C |
| December | Boa Vista | 26°C | Sal | 24°C | Boa Vista 24°C |
How the weather changes through the year
January to May is the cooler stretch, with daytime averages of 23°C to 24°C and little reason to plan around rain. June begins the gradual warm-up, while July brings warmer evenings and a small increase in rain days. August to October is the hottest period, with daytime averages of 28°C and nights staying at 25°C. September has the most rain days, so it is the month to allow more flexibility for outdoor plans. November remains warm but has fewer rain days, while December returns to milder conditions. The seasonal choice is about comfort rather than avoiding cold weather.
Boa Vista or Sal: which is warmer?
Boa Vista is the warmer choice overall, with an average daytime temperature of about 27°C across the year, compared with 24°C on Sal. If you like warmth for relaxed days by the sea, that gives Boa Vista an advantage. If you find heat tiring when walking around, Sal is the cooler option to consider. These annual averages do not mean every day on Boa Vista will be warmer, so keep the month in mind as well as the island. This comparison applies to Boa Vista and Sal; it should not be treated as a temperature guide to every part of Cape Verde.
When to go for beaches or city walks
For beach time with warmer water, October is a strong compromise: the sea averages 27°C, matching September, but rain days fall to 2 rather than 5. November also suits swimming-focused trips, with a sea average of 26°C and fewer rain days. The catch is that warm evenings offer less relief from the heat. For city walks and days spent moving around, January to May is the more comfortable window, though the sea feels cooler. During the hotter months, favour morning or later-afternoon walks and leave room for a midday break. Choose the season for your preferred pace, not just the highest temperature.
A little more detail
Cape Verde weather FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
When is the best time to visit Cape Verde?
Weighing warmth, low rainfall and sunshine across 2 destinations, the best months for Cape Verde are July, October, November. September is the hottest month (average high 28.2°C) and February the coolest (23.2°C).
How many months is Cape Verde over 25°C?
6 months average a daytime high of 25°C or more across our Cape Verde destinations.
Which is the hottest place in Cape Verde?
Over the year, Boa Vista has the highest average daytime temperature of the 2 Cape Verde destinations we track (26.7°C averaged across all months).
When is the sea warmest in Cape Verde?
September and October have the warmest average sea temperature at 27°C. October is the better fit if you want equally warm water with fewer rain days. August and November are close alternatives, with sea temperatures averaging 26°C.
Will I need a layer in the evenings?
A light layer is sensible if you feel the cold, especially from February to April, when nights average 20°C. August to October is much warmer after dark, with nights averaging 25°C, so lightweight clothing is likely to be more comfortable.
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid), 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at 2 destination points.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C