Climate in Cape Verde
The climate in Cape Verde is so mild and dry all year round that the Cape Verde Islands are often called “the islands of eternal summer”. The archipelago with nine inhabited islands in the Atlantic belongs to the African island state Cape Verde . All year round, the Republic of Cabo Verde, as it is officially called, attracts visitors from all over the world. Here there is a mild oceanic climate , which is determined by the northeast trade wind. As you can see from the climate table below, the temperature differences between day and night are very small on Cape Verde. The climate is characterized by about 40 to 60 percent humidity and the precipitation is very low. You can roughly compare the climate with the climate in the Canaries to compare. On the popular Cape Verde islands of Sal, Boa Vista or Santa Maria there is an average temperature of between 23 and 30 degrees Celsius all year round. Nevertheless, the best travel time for Cape Verde can be determined.
You can also find out when it is most worthwhile to visit the Republic of Cape Verde and what weather awaits you on your vacation.
Climate table for Cape Verde
| Jan | Feb | March | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. Temperature in ° C | 23 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 26 |
| Min. Temperature in ° C | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 20 |
| Hours of sunshine per day | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 |
| Water temperature in ° C | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 24 |
| Rainy days per month | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
The weather and the best travel time for Cape Verde
In Cape Verde there are no classic four seasons, but only two: the time of the winds (Tempo das Brisas) from mid-October to mid-July and the rainy season (Tempo das chuvas) from mid-August to mid-October, when it is also hottest. However, the chance of rain is minimal even during the rainy season. Therefore, basically all months of the year are suitable for a nice holiday in Cape Verde. The air temperature is in the 20 to 30 degree range all year round and the water temperature fluctuates between 23 and 26 degrees Celsius. From November to May it hardly ever rains on the Cape Verde Islands. During this time there are sometimes stormy winds that carry the sand from the Sahara across the Atlantic and ensure an overcast sky. That explains the sometimes few hours of sunshine a day. Nevertheless, it is very warm and you can have a great vacation. The best time to travel to Cape Verde depends on what you want to do on your vacation. Find out below when is the best time to go for a beach vacation, surfing or other vacation activities.
| Best time to visit Cape Verde | |
| Beach vacation | End of March to mid-August & mid-October to mid-December |
| Surfing / surfing | Winter months (Christmas holidays) |
| Hiking vacation | November to May |
| peak season | June to mid-August |
Best travel time for a beach holiday in Cape Verde
For a beach holiday on the islands of Sal or Boa Vista, for example, I recommend the months from the end of March to mid-August and mid-October to mid-December. In this way you avoid the tropical autumn months and the sometimes cooler and windy winter months, especially at night, and can enjoy a great vacation on the beach. The main season in Cape Verde is from July to mid-August. It is therefore advisable to switch to the off-season. Because for the main season the hotels are usually booked out early, which makes short-term trips more expensive. At the same time, the beaches are overcrowded in summer and the hot temperatures are not so good for tours and sightseeing.
Best travel time for surfing in Cape Verde
According to Fashionissupreme.com, the time of the winds from October to mid-July is best for surfing and surfing. The optimal surfing conditions you have in the winter months , from November to January / February. Then the dry and hot Harmattan wind blows on Cape Verde, giving you perfect conditions for surfing and surfing.
Best travel time for swimming, hiking and exploring the Cape Verde Islands
The Cape Verde Islands are not only characterized by miles of white sandy beaches and wonderfully blue sea water. The unique flora and fauna on Cape Verde attracts as many nature lovers as it does beach vacationers. That is why one of the main activities in Cape Verde, besides sunbathing and surfing, is hiking. Discover the almost untouched nature of dry grassy areas, dunes and salt marshes!
The best travel time for hikers and explorers are the dry and mild months in winter and spring . In the months of January, February, March, April, May, November and December, there is almost no rainfall. You can enjoy every day of your vacation in pleasant temperatures. In the winter months of December and January, temperatures can drop to 19 degrees in the evenings and at night. Therefore, I recommend that you pack a little warmer clothes during these months. With daytime temperatures around 23 to 26 degrees Celsius and a water temperature of 24 degrees Celsius, nothing stands in the way of a beach holiday in the Cape Verde winter. At Christmas time in December, the locals who live abroad return to the Cape Verde Islands to be with their families. As a result, the popular islands of Boa Vista, Santa Maria, Sal or Fogo and their beaches are a bit more crowded. Do you want a quiet beach holiday?Spend the best weather guarantee without rain in Cape Verde, where you also have the opportunity to explore the various islands ? Then I recommend the months of April, May and November as the optimal travel time .
Rainy season in Cape Verde
Although on average most of the rain falls on the Cape Verde Islands in the months from mid-August to mid-October , there is no real rainy season as it is in other tropical locations. An average of only three rainy days in August, six rainy days in September and five rainy days in October await you in the Cape Verdean rainy season. This corresponds to about 100 millimeters of rain, which cannot be compared with any tropical rain that is known from other regions with rainy seasons. If there is precipitation on your vacation in the rainy season, you don’t have to worry that the vacation will fall into the water. After the short shower, the island state shines in pure sunshine again and invites you to great activities in wonderfully warm weather of around 29 degrees Celsius.
The mild oceanic climate on Cape Verde ensures warm and pleasant weather all year round. Precipitation is very low and sometimes even in the so-called rainy season between mid-August and mid-October there is no. If it does rain, that’s no problem on vacation. After the short shower, the sky loosens up again and there is bright sunshine. The best travel time for beach vacationers who would also like to explore the islands and hike is the dry and mild season in winter and spring. The months of November to May provide perfect weather conditions for hiking and swimming. If you want to fly to Cape Verde outside of mass tourism, the months of April, May and November are best for it. The best time to travel for surfers is during the winter months during the time of the winds. The dry and hot Harmattan wind ensures high waves and limitless fun on the surfboard. If you are traveling in winter, you should note that the temperatures in the coldest months of December, January and February can drop a little more at night. Therefore, you should bring suitable clothing for the cooler evenings and nights. Check out more Cape Verde tips and find the best deals for your vacation !
