Destination guide
Sal weather by month
July, October and November are the strongest choices for Sal, depending on how warm you like the sea and evenings. July averages 25°C by day with no rain days, while October offers sea temperatures of 27°C with a small chance of rain. November stays warm but has less sunshine. Sal is mild throughout the year, so the main decision is between the drier, cooler early months and the warmer sea later in the year.
- Hottest month
- 26.9°CSeptember
- Coolest month
- 21.9°CFebruary
- Warmest sea
- 26.6°CSeptember
- Flight from London
- 6 h 12 minMid-haul (4.5-7 h) · estimated
Sal, month by month
A little perspective
Sal through the year
Every month at a glance; "best" marks our three top months on warmth, dryness and sunshine.
| Month | Day | Night | Sea | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22.4°C | 21.0°C | 22.7°C | 5.9 | 5 | 1 | 6% |
| February | 21.9°C | 20.5°C | 21.9°C | 6.4 | 2 | 0 | 5% |
| March | 21.9°C | 20.5°C | 21.8°C | 7.1 | 1 | 0 | 5% |
| April | 22.2°C | 20.8°C | 22.2°C | 6.7 | 1 | 0 | 7% |
| May | 22.7°C | 21.4°C | 22.5°C | 7.6 | 0 | 0 | 10% |
| June | 23.4°C | 22.2°C | 22.9°C | 8.3 | 0 | 0 | 13% |
| Julybest | 24.7°C | 23.3°C | 24.1°C | 7.1 | 2 | 1 | 30% |
| August | 26.3°C | 24.8°C | 25.9°C | 6.4 | 16 | 3 | 88% |
| September | 26.9°C | 25.5°C | 26.6°C | 6.5 | 30 | 5 | 99% |
| Octoberbest | 26.6°C | 25.2°C | 26.6°C | 6.3 | 16 | 2 | 93% |
| Novemberbest | 25.4°C | 24.1°C | 25.8°C | 5.3 | 4 | 1 | 56% |
| December | 23.7°C | 22.5°C | 24.1°C | 5.5 | 3 | 1 | 14% |
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
Best months here
On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.
When to go to Sal
For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: August, September, October, November. September is the wettest month (30 mm, about 5 rainy days) and May the driest (0 mm). The sea is warmest in September at 26.6°C and coolest in March at 21.8°C.
Getting there
A direct flight from London Gatwick to Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID, 17 km from Santa Maria) takes roughly 6 h 12 min - mid-haul (4.5-7 h) by UK standards. Time-zone: Atlantic/Cape Verde.
Records and extremes, 1991-2020
The hottest day recorded in Sal between 1991 and 2020 reached 33.4°C on 20 October 2020; the coldest fell to 16.2°C on 27 February 2018. In September one day in ten tops 29.2°C and about 6% of days pass 30°C; in February one night in ten drops to 19.0°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was October 1999 with 130 mm, against a October average of 16 mm.
Sunrise, sunset and daylight in Sal
Local time on the 15th of each month; daylight-saving rules as of 2020.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight | Sunshine/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 07:04 | 18:18 | 11.2 h | 5.9 h |
| February | 06:58 | 18:34 | 11.6 h | 6.4 h |
| March | 06:39 | 18:42 | 12.0 h | 7.1 h |
| April | 06:16 | 18:47 | 12.5 h | 6.7 h |
| May | 06:01 | 18:55 | 12.9 h | 7.6 h |
| June | 05:59 | 19:05 | 13.1 h | 8.3 h |
| July | 06:07 | 19:08 | 13.0 h | 7.1 h |
| August | 06:16 | 18:57 | 12.7 h | 6.4 h |
| September | 06:20 | 18:34 | 12.2 h | 6.5 h |
| October | 06:24 | 18:11 | 11.8 h | 6.3 h |
| November | 06:35 | 17:57 | 11.4 h | 5.3 h |
| December | 06:52 | 18:01 | 11.1 h | 5.5 h |
January to April: dry days, cooler swimming
January to April suits travellers who prefer mild warmth to hot afternoons. Daytime averages stay at 22°C throughout, so there is little reason to choose between these months on air temperature alone. All average no rain days, making this a good period for spending time outdoors without planning around wet weather. The catch is the sea: January averages 23°C, falling to 22°C from February through April, which may feel cool if you like lingering in the water. March and April offer more sunshine than January and February. Pack light daytime clothing and a light layer if you tend to feel chilly in the evening.
May to July: more sunshine, then a warmer sea
May and June are a good fit if sunshine matters more than strong heat. Both average 23°C by day and 8 hours of sunshine, with no rain days. May's sea remains at 22°C, so the brighter days do not yet come with noticeably warmer water. June brings a slight lift in sea and night temperatures, while July makes the clearer step towards summer warmth: days average 25°C and the sea reaches 24°C. July is the strongest compromise here for travellers wanting dry weather and comfortable swimming without the warmest nights. Keep sun protection handy and plan shade breaks around midday, even when the air feels mild.
August to December: warmer water, with some rain
August brings warmer water and evenings, but also the return of some rain. September is hottest, with days and sea both averaging 27°C; its 5 rain days make it less suitable if staying dry is your priority. October keeps that daytime and sea warmth while rain days drop to 2, making it a strong choice for swimming. November still offers a 26°C sea, though sunshine falls to 5 hours, so expect less sunshine rather than a cold-weather change. December eases to 24°C by day and in the sea. This later period suits warm-water swimmers, provided occasional rain is an acceptable trade-off.
A little more detail
Sal weather FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
What is the best time to visit Sal?
Judged on warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, the best months in Sal are July, October and November. September is the hottest month (average high 26.9°C) and February the coolest (21.9°C).
How many months a year is Sal over 25°C?
4 months in Sal average a daytime high of 25°C or more, and 12 average 20°C or more.
When is the rainy season in Sal?
September is the wettest month in Sal (30 mm on average) and May the driest (0 mm). Annual rainfall averages 80 mm.
What is the hottest temperature recorded in Sal?
The hottest day recorded in Sal between 1991 and 2020 reached 33.4°C on 20 October 2020; the coldest fell to 16.2°C on 27 February 2018. Records come from daily data for 1991-2020, not from a single station's all-time history.
When is the best time to swim in Sal?
September and October have the warmest average sea temperatures at 27°C. October is the better compromise if you also want fewer rain days. August and November remain good alternatives, with the sea averaging 26°C.
Is Sal warm enough for a winter holiday?
Sal offers mild winter warmth rather than strong heat. December averages 24°C by day, while January and February average 22°C. It suits time outdoors, but the cooler sea may be less appealing if swimming is your main reason for going.
Which months have the most sunshine?
May and June lead with 8 hours of sunshine a day on average, alongside no rain days. They suit travellers who want bright, dry weather without the highest temperatures. July is warmer, but sunshine eases to 7 hours.
See also: Cape Verde weather by month · where else is hot in September
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid) and NOAA Coral Reef Watch 5 km sea temperatures, 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at Santa Maria. Sea temperature from the nearest 5 km sea cell, 3.3 km from that point. Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.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