#1Hot
Boa Vista
- Day
- 25.7°C
- Sea
- 22.5°C
- Sun
- 8.0h
- Rain days
- 0
Your May weather guide
Weather in Cape Verde in May
Yes, May is a good month for Cape Verde if you want warm, dry weather without needing intense heat. Country averages sit at 24°C by day and 21°C at night, so light clothing should cover most of your stay. The sea averages 22°C: suitable for swimming if you like cooler water, rather than a particularly warm dip. Choose Boa Vista for more daytime warmth, or Sal if you prefer milder conditions.
Long-term climate averages, not a forecast · 1991-2020
- Average daytime high
- 24.2°Cacross 2 destinations
- Average night-time low
- 21.1°Cafter dark
- Sea temperature
- 22.5°Cwarm enough to swim
- Rainy days
- 0days1 mm or more
Cape Verde, month by month
Turn up the warmth
Warmest places in Cape Verde in May
Ranked by average daytime high. The full comparison is in the table below.
#2Warm
Sal
- Day
- 22.7°C
- Sea
- 22.5°C
- Sun
- 7.6h
- Rain days
- 0
Cape Verde destinations ranked for May
All 2 places we track in Cape Verde, ordered by daytime high.
May climate overview
Daytime highs across Cape Verde in May run from 22.7°C (Sal) to 25.7°C (Boa Vista). In Boa Vista about 72% of May days reach 25°C. Nights average 21.1°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Sal fall to 20°C or below.
Rainfall in May
Expect around 0 rainy days (1 mm or more) in May, with Boa Vista the driest (0 days) and Sal the wettest (0 days). The wettest May at Boa Vista between 1991 and 2020 was 1993 with 1 mm; the driest was 1991 with 0 mm.
Sea temperature
The sea averages 22.5°C around Cape Verde in May - warmest at Boa Vista (22.5°C). That is comfortable for swimming.
Sunshine and daylight
Around 7.8 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 12.8 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).
May against the rest of the year in Cape Verde
May is the 8th warmest month of the twelve in Cape Verde. It is 0.6°C warmer than April and 0.8°C warmer in June. The hottest month here is September (28°C) and the coolest February (23°C).
Which part of Cape Verde in May?
- Most sunshine: Boa Vista, 8.0 h a day.
- Driest: Boa Vista, about 0 rainy days.
- Warmest sea: Boa Vista, 23°C.
- Hottest: Boa Vista, 26°C by day.
- Coolest (better for walking and cities): Sal, 23°C.
What to pack for Cape Verde in May
Based on the averages: summer clothes for the day; swimwear - the sea is 23°C.
Similar weather elsewhere in May
Within 1.5°C of Cape Verde's May daytime average: Rio de Janeiro (26°C, sea 24°C), Kusadasi (25°C, sea 19°C), Crete (25°C, sea 19°C), Athens (25°C, sea 19°C), Ayia Napa (25°C, sea 21°C). See the full ranking for May.
Boa Vista for warmth, Sal for milder days
Boa Vista is the warmer choice in May, averaging 26°C by day compared with 23°C on Sal. That makes it the better fit if your priority is feeling properly warm while relaxing outdoors. On Boa Vista, 72% of days exceed 25°C, so plan for shade when the midday warmth feels strongest. Sal suits travellers who prefer a milder daytime temperature for spending time outside. The difference disappears after sunset: both destinations average 21°C at night. Their sea temperatures are also the same at 22°C, so choosing the warmer island does not mean getting warmer water. Pick mainly on your preference for daytime heat.
Dry days, useful sunshine and cooler water
May's main advantage is how easily the weather fits outdoor plans. The country averages 0 rainy days and 7.8 hours of sunshine, making rain a small concern rather than something to organise your holiday around. Those averages are not a promise of uninterrupted sunshine, but they favour packing light clothes and sun protection rather than bulky wet-weather gear. Daytime temperatures are warmer than London's May average of 17°C, without the country average suggesting extreme heat. Evenings stay mild, though a light layer may suit you when sitting outside. The main catch is the sea: expect a cooler swim, not water that matches the warmth of the afternoon air.
A little more detail
Cape Verde in May FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
Where is the hottest place in Cape Verde in May?
Boa Vista is the warmest of the 2 places we track in Cape Verde in May with an average high of 25.7°C; Sal is the coolest at 22.7°C.
Is the sea warm in Cape Verde in May?
The sea averages 22°C or more at Boa Vista (23°C), Sal (23°C) in May.
Is May warm enough for swimming in Cape Verde?
The sea averages 22°C around both Boa Vista and Sal. That can suit swimmers who enjoy cooler water, but it may feel fresh when you first get in. There is no sea-temperature advantage to choosing either destination.
Will I need warm clothes in the evening?
Night temperatures average 21°C on both Boa Vista and Sal, so heavy clothing is unlikely to be necessary for the temperature alone. Pack mainly light clothes, with a light layer if you tend to feel cool while sitting outside.
Is rain likely to disrupt a May holiday?
May averages 0 rainy days in both Boa Vista and Sal, so rain is unlikely to be the main constraint on your plans. Treat that as a strong reason to favour outdoor time, rather than a guarantee that every day will stay dry.
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