Best Time to Visit Cabo Verde: Listen up – if you’re thinking about Cabo Verde, forget those perfect brochure photos. This isn’t your typical beach destination. You come here for real island life: the soulful morna music drifting from local bars, volcanic landscapes that feel like another planet, and people who know how to find joy in simple things. I’ve traveled from Sal’s white beaches to Santo Antão’s green mountains, and I’ll give you the real story about when to experience these islands properly.
Forget One Size Fits All Ten Different Islands
First thing to know: Cabo Verde has ten islands, each with its own weather personality. The flat eastern islands (Sal, Boa Vista) feel completely different from the mountainous western ones (Santo Antão, Fogo). I’ve baked in sunshine on Sal while watching storms soak Santiago’s peaks.
Dry Months (November – June): When Everyone Visits
This is when most tourists show up, and I get why. The weather stays reliable with little rain and constant breezes that keep things comfortable. I remember hiking Santo Antão’s valleys in February when the air felt fresh and clear without any haze.
Why come during dry months:
- Weather stays predictable with lots of sun
- Wind conditions perfect for kitesurfing and windsurfing
- Temperatures hover around 24-27°C – just right
- Sea conditions best for hopping between islands
The reality:
- This is peak season – hotel prices hit their highest
- Winds can get strong enough to bother some beach lovers
- Sahara dust sometimes hazes the sky February-April
- Good places get booked months ahead
Wet Months (July – October): The Secret Season
Most travel guides tell you to avoid this time. They’re not completely wrong, but they’re missing something special. Yes, it rains – sometimes in heavy tropical downpours. But I’ve seen the amazing change when rains come, turning dry landscapes surprisingly green almost overnight.
Why wet months might work better:
- Islands turn beautifully green and lush
- You’ll have famous beaches mostly to yourself
- Hotel prices drop 30-50%
- Better chances to connect with local life
- Amazing cloud formations and sunsets
What you need to handle:
- Humidity rises, especially on southern islands
- Some water activities get limited
- Occasional flight or ferry cancellations during storms
- More mosquitoes after rains (though no malaria worry)
Island by Island Differences
Sal and Boa Vista (Flat Eastern Islands):
- Most reliable sunshine all year
- Best for beach time and water sports
- Least affected by rainy season
- Great winds for kitesurfing November-June
Santiago and Fogo (Mountainous Southern Islands):
- More dramatic weather changes
- More rain during wet season
- Turns beautifully green July-October
- Cooler up in the mountains
Santo Antão and São Vicente (Northern Islands):
- Greenest during rainy season
- Best for hiking November-May
- Cultural centers with great music scenes
- Cooler than eastern islands
Month by Month Reality
November-February: Peak season. Nice temperatures, reliable weather. Strong winds are great for water sports. Christmas and New Year get busy.
March-April: Still dry season. Getting warmer, possible Sahara dust. Good for hiking before heat peaks.
May-June: Shoulder season. Warming up but still comfortable. Sea getting warmer for swimming. Fewer crowds than winter.
July-August: Rainy season starts. Short heavy showers possible. Landscapes starting to green. Humidity rising.
September-October: Peak rainy time. Heaviest rain but greenest landscapes. Fewest tourists and lowest prices.
Cultural Timing Matters
Think about more than weather:
February: Carnival celebrations (especially big in Mindelo)
June: São João Festival in Santo Antão
August: Gamboa Music Festival in Praia
December: Christmas and New Year celebrations everywhere
When Should You Actually Go?
Beach lovers and water sports fans: November-June for best conditions
Hikers and nature lovers: September-November for green views and cooler weather
Budget travelers: July-October for lowest prices
Culture seekers: February for Carnival or August for music festivals
Island hoppers: November-April for calmest seas
Final Truth
I’ve had amazing times in every season: watching kitesurfers dance on Sal’s blue waters in January, hiking through green valleys in Santo Antão after September rains, and dancing to Cesária Evora songs in a Mindelo bar during a tropical storm.
Cabo Verde doesn’t give you perfect weather – it gives you perfect moments. The kind that stays with you: tasting fresh grilled fish on the beach, hearing coladeira music mix with ocean waves, seeing volcanic peaks rise through morning mist.
Come ready to be flexible and embrace whatever weather comes. Pack for sun and occasional rain. Bring good shoes for exploring beyond resorts. Most importantly, bring an open heart ready to discover islands that will surprise you at every turn.
The best time to visit is when you can come ready to experience everything these incredible islands offer. Cabo Verde will welcome you any season, giving you memories that will stay long after your tan fades.
