When to go · Cape Verde and Boa Vista
Best time to visit Cape Verde: Boa Vista month by month
Cape Verde is good all year round: it is warm even in winter (24-25° by day in January) and it hardly ever rains. Each month has its own character, though: wind for kitesurfing, whales, turtles, a very warm sea. Pick your month and see what to do.
Winter sun: 24-26° by day, clear skies, steady wind. It is high season, including Christmas and New Year; December to April is kitesurfing season.
The wind drops, the sea calms down and prices are lower. Whales can be seen until May: for many people this is the best time.
The hottest weather (27-29°) and the warmest sea, up to 27°. Turtle season; there may be a few short showers in August and September.
January in Boa Vista
The coolest and windiest months: the trade winds sometimes bring the "bruma seca", a light haze of sand.
- Air
- 24°
- Sea
- 23°
- Wind
- Strong and steady
- Waves
- Rough, with waves
What to do
- Beach and relaxing
- Kitesurfing and windsurfing
- Surfing
- Fishing
- Desert excursions
February in Boa Vista
Steady wind and clear skies: high season for kitesurfing and windsurfing.
- Air
- 24°
- Sea
- 22°
- Wind
- Strong and steady
- Waves
- Rough, with waves
What to do
- Beach and relaxing
- Kitesurfing and windsurfing
- Surfing
- Fishing
- Desert excursions
March in Boa Vista
The humpback whales start to arrive. Still plenty of wind for water sports.
- Air
- 25°
- Sea
- 22°
- Wind
- Strong and steady
- Waves
- Rough, with waves
What to do
- Beach and relaxing
- Kitesurfing and windsurfing
- Surfing
- Whales
- Fishing
- Desert excursions
April in Boa Vista
Whales and wind: one of the most complete months of the year.
- Air
- 25°
- Sea
- 23°
- Wind
- Moderate
- Waves
- Rough, with waves
What to do
- Beach and relaxing
- Kitesurfing and windsurfing
- Surfing
- Whales
- Fishing
- Desert excursions
May in Boa Vista
The wind drops and the sea calms down: the last whale sightings.
- Air
- 25°
- Sea
- 24°
- Wind
- Moderate
- Waves
- Variable
What to do
- Beach and relaxing
- Whales
- Fishing
June in Boa Vista
Calm sea and long days: ideal for families and snorkelling.
- Air
- 26°
- Sea
- 24°
- Wind
- Light
- Waves
- Variable
What to do
- Beach and relaxing
- Fishing
- Snorkelling and boat trips
July in Boa Vista
Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) arrive to lay their eggs.
- Air
- 27°
- Sea
- 25°
- Wind
- Light
- Waves
- Calm
What to do
- Beach and relaxing
- Turtles: nesting
- Fishing
- Snorkelling and boat trips
August in Boa Vista
A very warm sea and turtle nights. A few short showers are possible.
- Air
- 28°
- Sea
- 26°
- Wind
- Light
- Waves
- Calm
What to do
- Beach and relaxing
- Turtles: nesting
- Fishing
- Snorkelling and boat trips
September in Boa Vista
The month with the warmest water: long swims and turtles on the beach.
- Air
- 29°
- Sea
- 27°
- Wind
- Light
- Waves
- Calm
What to do
- Beach and relaxing
- Turtles: nesting
- Turtles: hatching
- Fishing
- Snorkelling and boat trips
October in Boa Vista
One of the best months for fishing. The turtle hatchings begin.
- Air
- 28°
- Sea
- 26°
- Wind
- Light
- Waves
- Calm
What to do
- Beach and relaxing
- Turtles: nesting
- Turtles: hatching
- Fishing (peak season)
November in Boa Vista
The wind returns and the heat stays: a great balance if you want a bit of everything.
- Air
- 26°
- Sea
- 25°
- Wind
- Moderate
- Waves
- Variable
What to do
- Beach and relaxing
- Turtles: hatching
- Fishing
- Desert excursions
December in Boa Vista
The kite season starts again. The Boavista Ultra Trail usually takes place early in the month.
- Air
- 25°
- Sea
- 24°
- Wind
- Moderate
- Waves
- Rough, with waves
What to do
- Beach and relaxing
- Kitesurfing and windsurfing
- Surfing
- Fishing
- Desert excursions
Average maximum temperatures; wind, sea and wildlife seasons are indicative and vary from year to year. Today: Boa Vista NOW.
December to April, when the wind is strongest and steadiest.
Humpback whales are usually seen from March to May.
Nesting from July to October, hatching from September to November.
From August to October the water reaches about 26–27°.
Questions about when to go to Cape Verde
What is the best time to visit Cape Verde?
It depends on what you want. For winter sun, November to March; for a calm sea, whales and lower prices, April to June; for the warmest sea and turtles, July to October. Boa Vista has no real rainy season.
What is Cape Verde like in December?
Warm: about 25° by day and a sea at 24°, with the wind picking up again. It is the month for Christmas and New Year in the sun, so book early.
What is Cape Verde like in January and February?
These are the coolest months, but still pleasant: 24° by day, a sea at 22-23°, strong and steady wind, great for kitesurfing and windsurfing. Sometimes the «bruma seca» arrives, a light haze of Saharan dust.
Is it too hot in August?
It is hot, around 28°, but the ocean breeze helps. The sea is at 26° and at night you can see the turtles; a few short showers are possible.
What is the weather like in November?
Still warm, about 26°, with a moderate wind returning and the sea at 25°: a good balance of sun, sea and sport.
Is the climate the same on every island?
On Boa Vista, Sal and Maio, low sandy islands, it is very similar: warm, dry and breezy. Mountainous islands such as Santo Antão and Fogo are greener and wetter at altitude.
Read more
Climate, excursions and fishing
Clima a Boa Vista, Capo Verde: il meteo mese per mese
Whale-watching excursions
Turtle-watching excursions
Sport fishing in Boa Vista