Yes, Cape Verde holds 24 to 26°C by day from December to March, with the sea at 23-25°C. The Canaries top out around 21°C over the same months. In October and November the air climbs to 28-30°C and the sea to 27-28°C, but the rainy season wraps up in mid-October. Expect roughly 6 hours on a direct flight from the UK, an EASE online registration and a TSA airport security fee of 3,400 CVE (about €31). Aim for November or early December: it’s the best balance of weather and price.
When the clocks go back in the UK, the archipelago keeps its summer. Not everywhere, not all the time, and not at the same price every month. This guide gives you month-by-month temperatures, the island that fits your style of trip, the direct flights for winter 2026-27 and the entry rules you can’t skip. The climate figures are orders of magnitude from 2016-2025 modelling, not official climate normals.
1. October and November: the warmest sea of the year
Sal in October-November: 28°C and a 27°C sea
October is the hottest month of the year: around 29°C at the daily high on Sal and 24-25°C at night, based on a ten-year ERA5 reanalysis. The sea peaks at 27.8°C. November starts the swing towards the dry season, with 28°C by day and 26.5°C in the water. According to the Belgian foreign ministry, the rainy season runs from mid-July to mid-October. Totals stay low on the flat islands (8 mm on Sal, 11 mm on Boa Vista in October) and higher on Santiago (21 mm) and the Santo Antão coast (24 mm).
The air is humid, around 80%, and September is still the wettest month of the year. The tropical storm risk is concentrated between August and early October and drops to almost nothing from November.
Highlights
- Sea at 27-28°C in October, the warmest of the year
- Much less wind than January-March (19 km/h on average)
- Sea turtle hatchings on Sal and Boa Vista in October-November
2. December to March: the real 25°C, month by month
The 25°C in the title means daytime, December to March
From December to March the thermometer reads 24 to 26°C in the daytime on Sal and Boa Vista, a touch more in Praia (25 to 27°C). The dry season sets in: January averages just 0.4 mm of rain on Sal. Nights drop to 19-21°C, and the north-east trade wind, blowing 15 to 30 knots, makes it feel cooler. Pack a light jumper for the evening.
| Month | Sal, day / night | Praia, day | Sea at Sal | Rain at Sal | Wind at Sal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October | 29.4 / 24.7°C | 29.8°C | 27.8°C | 8.0 mm | 19 km/h |
| November | 28.0 / 23.3°C | 28.6°C | 26.5°C | 6.6 mm | 20 km/h |
| December | 26.0 / 21.5°C | 26.7°C | 24.7°C | 4.7 mm | 22 km/h |
| January | 25.1 / 20.4°C | 25.9°C | 23.5°C | 0.4 mm | 22 km/h |
| February | 24.4 / 19.7°C | 25.4°C | 22.7°C | 8.2 mm | 25 km/h |
| March | 24.3 / 19.6°C | 25.6°C | 22.4°C | 0.9 mm | 24 km/h |
Orders of magnitude from an ERA5 reanalysis (2016-2025) and a marine model (2020-2025), via Open-Meteo. The grid covers several kilometres, so station readings can differ by 1 to 2°C.
What to know before betting on winter
- Sand is whipped up from January to March, and swimming is sometimes banned depending on sea conditions
- Dry haze (the harmattan dust) veils the sky mostly from December to February, without cooling the air
- Prices climb 40 to 70% at Christmas and during Carnival, according to the Luxtripper guide
3. Which island suits you
Six islands, six moods: don’t pick at random
Cape Verde isn’t one destination, it’s an archipelago. According to africa.com, the classic trap is assuming all the islands look alike. Sal and Boa Vista take more than 75% of arrivals, built around big resort complexes. Santiago, Santo Antão and São Vicente offer a completely different trip.
| Your style | Island | Why | Best time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beach and warm sea | Sal or Boa Vista | Big beaches, the most direct flights | October to December |
| Maximum winter heat | Santiago | 25 to 26°C by day in January-March, less wind | January to March |
| Hiking | Santo Antão | Paúl and Ribeira Grande valleys, Cova crater | November to March |
| Music and carnival | São Vicente | Mindelo, morna, Carnival | February |
| Kitesurfing and wingfoiling | Sal | Trade wind at 15 to 30 knots, water at 22-25°C | December to March |
| Volcano | Fogo | Pico do Fogo, 2,829 m | November to May |
Sal is the gateway (about 60% of arrivals): Santa Maria, the Pedra de Lume salt pans and the Blue Eye of Buracona. It’s also the driest island in the study (about 101 mm a year modelled). Boa Vista adds dunes, the Viana desert and huge beaches. Santiago, with Praia and the UNESCO-listed historic centre of Cidade Velha, is the most African island. Santo Antão is reached by ferry from Mindelo (about 1 hour, 4 crossings a day): the northern valleys are cooler and wetter than the coast, so bring a warm layer and proper boots.
4. Direct flights, EASE and the TSA fee: what’s confirmed
About 6 hours in the air, no visa, one compulsory registration
Flights. You’re well placed from the UK. TUI flies to Boa Vista from London Gatwick and East Midlands and to Sal from Bristol, according to TUI UK, and easyJet also serves Sal from London and Manchester on a seasonal basis. Journey time is around 6 hours. The detailed winter 2026-27 timetable isn’t confirmed for every route, so check days and times when you book. Coming from mainland Europe? Transavia France has confirmed a new Nantes – São Vicente (Mindelo) service, once a week on Fridays from 30 October 2026, from €95 one way, according to TourMaG. Flying via Lisbon instead adds up to more than 10 hours door to door.
Visa and EASE. British citizens can enter as visitors for up to 30 days without a visa, but your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after arrival. Online pre-registration on ease.gov.cv is compulsory for every air traveller, ideally at least 5 days before departure. You’ll be asked for a QR-code confirmation at boarding and on arrival.
TSA fee. It’s 3,400 CVE per traveller, about €31 (the escudo is pegged to the euro at 110.265 CVE), paid online through EASE. The Constitutional Court confirmed its legality in Acórdão 50/2026, published in the Boletim Oficial on 28 July 2026: that’s a confirmation, not an increase. Children under 2 are exempt. The FCDO warns that from 1 July 2026, anyone who hasn’t pre-registered pays double the TSA at the border, so sort it out before you fly.
Before you go
- Health and repatriation insurance: GHIC cards aren’t accepted in Cape Verde, as the FCDO stresses
- A few escudos for aluguers (minibus taxis) and small shops, with cash machines in Santa Maria, Sal Rei, Praia and Mindelo
- Bottled water: tap water isn’t safe to drink
5. Budget: what to expect for a week
According to Generation Voyage (August 2026), a week self-catering costs €600 to €800 per person and €850 to €1,100 on a package. Flights from Paris run around €250 to €350 off-peak, against €600 and up at Christmas. The Canaries stay far cheaper: €130 to €200 for a ticket, per Ou-et-quand. These are French-market figures quoted in euros, so UK fares from Gatwick or Manchester will differ, but the gap between the two destinations is a fair guide.
| Style | Accommodation | Off-peak flights | Estimated total, 7 nights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backpacker (guesthouses, aluguers) | €20 to €45 a night | €250 to €350 | €600 to €800 |
| Mid-range | €50 to €100 a night | €300 to €600 | €1,000 to €1,600 |
| All-inclusive | Package | Included | €850 to €1,100 (€1,300 and up at Christmas) |
Editorial estimates based on the sources cited, per person, excluding excursions.
Three costs often go unnoticed: the TSA (€31 per traveller), inter-island flights (€40 to €100 a leg) and the Mindelo – Santo Antão ferry (€5 to €7). A Sal, São Vicente and Santo Antão combination adds €100 to €200 in transport. For a high-season budget, see our itinerary Mindelo Carnival and the Paúl valley (€5,704 for 8 days).
6. Trade wind, dry haze, rain and health: what the brochures skip
The trade wind. It blows from December to March, averaging up to 25 km/h in February on Sal and Boa Vista and 27 km/h in Mindelo. It’s kitesurfing and wingfoiling season. For the beach it’s less glamorous: sand in your eyes, red flags, strong currents and black sea urchins reported in places.
The dry haze. This Saharan dust veils the sky, mostly from December to February. The temperature doesn’t change, but visibility drops and inter-island flights are the first to suffer. In January 2020, 60 domestic flights were cancelled and 2,100 passengers affected, according to DNoticias. So never book an inter-island flight the day before your flight home: leave a 24-hour buffer and check your cancellation cover.
Health. No vaccine is compulsory when arriving from the UK. Cape Verde has been certified malaria-free since 2024, but sporadic cases are reported and dengue spread in 2025, mostly between July and October. The FCDO notes that medical facilities are basic and limited, with the biggest in Praia and Mindelo. Mosquito repellent is a good idea in October-November. The sun stays strong even at 25°C.
Safety. Sal, Boa Vista and Mindelo are fairly calm. In Praia, avoid walking alone after dark, and don’t hike alone on isolated trails: use a local guide. For the official detail, the FCDO page linked above is the one to follow.
Winter event. Mindelo Carnival runs from 7 to 10 February 2027, with the main parade on Tuesday 9, according to The Trip Verdict. Book flights and accommodation 4 to 6 months ahead. To experience each highlight, see the official groups’ Mardi Gras competition.
7. Cape Verde or the Canaries in January: the honest comparison
The gap is 4°C on the air and 3 to 5°C on the sea. In return, you pay more and fly about two hours longer.
| Criterion, in January | Cape Verde (Sal, Praia) | Tenerife South | Gran Canaria | Funchal (Madeira) | Agadir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air, daily high | 25.1 to 25.9°C | 21.0°C | 21.5°C | 18.7°C | 21.2°C |
| Sea | 23.5 to 24.7°C | 21.0°C | 20.7°C | 20.2°C | 18.5°C |
| Monthly rain | 0.4 to 1.4 mm | 10.8 mm | 22.0 mm | 78.8 mm | 17.4 mm |
| Average wind | 21 to 22 km/h | 11 km/h | 13 km/h | 10 km/h | 12 km/h |
Modelled ERA5 values (2016-2025) and marine values (2020-2025), to be read as orders of magnitude.
Cape Verde wins on heat and rain, and loses on wind, ticket price (€250 to €600 against €130 to €200 to the Canaries, French-market figures) and formalities (EASE and TSA, while the Canaries ask for nothing extra). If you just want to escape the British winter and 21°C is enough, the Canaries do the job nicely. If you want a proper swim in January, the archipelago is your answer.
Practical info before you go
Cape Verde is outside the EU and your UK roaming bundle won’t cover it. An eSIM saves you your network’s charges from the moment you land.
Around $30 for 5 GB over 7 days (indicative)Limited hospitals outside Praia and Mindelo and no GHIC cover: health and repatriation insurance is essential. Nomad Insurance covers you worldwide, with 10% off through our link.
Online quote based on your tripFrequently asked questions about Cape Verde in winter
What’s the weather like in Cape Verde in December and January?
Expect 25 to 26°C by day on Sal and Boa Vista, 20 to 21°C at night and a sea between 23 and 25°C, with almost no rain but a trade wind of 20 to 25 km/h. These are orders of magnitude from ERA5 modelling over 2016-2025, not official climate normals.
When should you avoid going to Cape Verde?
Mostly avoid September and early October, the wettest months, when a tropical storm is still possible. If your budget is tight, skip Christmas and Carnival too, when prices rise by 40 to 70%.
Do British citizens need a visa for Cape Verde?
No visa is needed for stays of up to 30 days, but you must complete the EASE online registration before you fly and pay the TSA of 3,400 CVE (about €31). Your passport must be valid for 6 months after arrival. Do it all on the official portal, ease.gov.cv.
Are there direct flights from the UK to Cape Verde?
Yes. TUI and easyJet fly direct to Sal and Boa Vista from several UK airports, including London Gatwick, in around 6 hours. Days and times for winter 2026-27 vary by route, so check them when you book.
Does the dry haze ruin a holiday?
It veils the sky mostly from December to February without cooling the air. Its real effect is logistical: it can cancel flights between islands. Leave a 24-hour buffer before your flight home and check your insurance.
Cape Verde or the Canaries for winter sun?
Cape Verde wins by about 4°C on the air and 3 to 5°C on the sea in January. The Canaries win on flight time (about 4 hours against 6), ticket price (€130 to €200 on French-market figures) and the lack of formalities.
Are there health risks in Cape Verde?
No vaccine is compulsory from the UK. The country has been certified malaria-free since 2024, but sporadic cases exist and dengue is spreading: pack repellent, drink bottled water and take out travel insurance, since GHIC cards aren’t accepted. Check your measles boosters too, which France’s foreign ministry flagged in March 2026.
Sources
- EASE, Cape Verde’s official portal: registration and TSA payment
- FCDO, Cape Verde entry requirements: 30-day visa-free stay, passport validity, double TSA from 1 July 2026
- FCDO, Cape Verde health: GHIC not accepted, healthcare, dengue
- FCDO, Cape Verde travel advice: safety and entry updates
- TUI UK, Cape Verde flights: UK departure airports
- France Diplomatie, Cape Verde travel advice: security, health, entry
- Belgian foreign ministry, climate and disasters in Cabo Verde: rainy season, dry haze
- IFRC, Cape Verde floods: toll of the August 2025 floods
- INSPQ, Cape Verde travel health: malaria, vaccines
- Open-Meteo, ERA5 historical API: modelled temperatures, rain and wind 2016-2025
- Open-Meteo, marine API: sea temperature 2020-2025
- TourMaG, Transavia winter 2026-27: Nantes – São Vicente route
- Generation Voyage, Cape Verde budget: spending ranges, August 2026
- DNoticias, dry haze of January 2020: cancelled flights
- The Trip Verdict, Mindelo Carnival: 2027 Carnival dates
- Africa.com, Cabo Verde beyond the World Cup: choosing an island
Research carried out on 6 October 2026.
Plan your trip with Pixidia
Pixidia learns how you travel and helps you build a trip that truly fits you and everyone coming along.
Open the planner