When to go to Cape Verde?

In Cape Verde, the climate is tropical, hot and dry. It is marked by the Northeast trade wind and the Sahara harmattan which brings heat and dryness. The winds are particularly violent in December and January. Going to Cape Verde is possible in all seasons. Temperatures are mild all year round and do not drop below 20°C.

Cape Verde's climate is divided into two seasons, a dry season from November to June-July and a wet season from July-August to October. Rain is rare in Cape Verde, but it is possible to see severe thunderstorms from August to October. So, when to go to Cape Verde to enjoy optimal weather?

November-December to June-July, the climate is very pleasant on the archipelago. It is during the months of July and August that the wind blows the least in Cape Verde and the temperatures are very mild. However, be careful of the winds in January. From June onwards, the winds died down, but the rainy season began (the islands of Santo Antão, Fogo and Santiago were the most affected).

Swimming is pleasant all year round in Cape Verde, as the water temperature does not drop below 20°C from February to April. The water temperature in September and October rises to 25°C and can even reach 27°C in October.

To decide when to go to Cape Verde, you need to consider the activities you can do there. The weather and climatic conditions will have an impact on what you want to do on your holiday in Cape Verde.

All year round, you can go hiking on the islands of Brava, São Vicente, Fogo or Santo Antão.

You can also take part in water sports such as scuba diving, kitesurfing, paddle boarding and windsurfing. The ideal period for scuba diving in Cape Verde is between March and November. The island of Sal is recommended for beginners. More experienced divers will find what they're looking for on São Vicente.

For fishing, a popular activity in Cape Verde, choose the period from June to October.

If you want to discover the flora and fauna of Cape Verde, you'll have the chance to see sea parrots, barracudas and moray eels all year round. For the lucky ones, whales and turtles are an unforgettable sight.

The year in Cape Verde is punctuated by numerous festivities. All the islands in the archipelago organise numerous festivities, each with its own festival. If you want to go to Cape Verde to enjoy the local festivities, when should you plan your trip? February is carnival time! It's celebrated on all the islands, but Mindelo is the most spectacular. Preparing a trip is important to ensure that everything runs smoothly once you're there. That's why you need to find out about a country's weather conditions before choosing the dates of your stay.

During your trip, discover the exceptional places of Cape Verde, such as the island of Sal, the island of Boa or even the island of São Vicente with its town of Mindelo.

Cape Verde is home to many loggerhead turtles. For a chance to see them, head for the island of Boa Vista between August and December. During this period, thousands of turtles are born. The spectacle of their race to the sea is an experience not to be missed.