The hottest, most humid month, and the first with real rain in it. Also the month with the best festival and the most turtles.
Santa Maria, Sal · long-term monthly averages · reviewed with a Cape Verde-based contact, September 2026 · air data from ERA5 via Open-Meteo, sea temperature from the marine reanalysis. We show the daily mean next to the average high because the two get confused constantly: a site quoting 25°C and one quoting 22°C for the same island are usually both right, and measuring different things.
Sea temperature through the year (Santa Maria, Sal) — tap a month
The short version
August is where the Cape Verdean year changes character. Temperatures peak, humidity is at its highest, and the first genuine rainfall of the year arrives — short, heavy, warm downpours rather than the all-day grey of northern Europe.
The eastern beach islands still see very little of it; Sal and Boa Vista remain close to dry. The mountainous islands get most of what falls, which is why they start turning green while the beaches stay the colour they always are.
Island by island in August
| Island | Avg high | Daily mean | Night | Sea | Wind | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sal | 29°C | 26°C | 23°C | 26°C | 21 km/h | 1 |
| Boa Vista | 29°C | 26°C | 23°C | 26°C | 19 km/h | 1 |
| Maio | 29°C | 26°C | 23°C | 26°C | 18 km/h | 1 |
| Santiago | 29°C | 26°C | 23°C | 26°C | 13 km/h | 2 |
| São Vicente | 28°C | 25°C | 22°C | 25°C | 20 km/h | 2 |
| São Nicolau | 28°C | 25°C | 22°C | 25°C | 17 km/h | 2 |
| Santo Antão | 27°C | 24°C | 21°C | 25°C | 15 km/h | 4 |
| Fogo | 28°C | 25°C | 22°C | 26°C | 14 km/h | 2 |
| Brava | 27°C | 24°C | 21°C | 26°C | 15 km/h | 3 |
The pattern to take from that table: the flat eastern islands run warmer, drier and windier, the mountainous ones cooler and cloudier. Figures measured near sea level say little about the ridges — on Santo Antão it can be several degrees colder and in cloud at altitude while the coast below sits in full sun.
What the rain actually looks like
Expect a small number of wet days, not a wet month. A typical August shower is brief and heavy, often in the afternoon, and the sun is back out afterwards. It rarely ruins a day; it does occasionally ruin a road.
On Santo Antão, São Nicolau and Fogo, heavy rain can make unsurfaced mountain roads impassable and trails slippery. If you are hiking, check conditions locally on the day rather than relying on a forecast written for the whole country.
August humidity is the single most under-reported thing about Cape Verde in summer. The temperature is manageable; the combination with moisture is what makes people who chose August wish they had chosen November. If you are heat-sensitive, this is not your month.
Peak turtle nesting
August is the busiest month on the nesting beaches. Boa Vista hosts one of the most significant loggerhead populations in the world, and guided walks have their best chance of a sighting now. The first hatchlings also start emerging towards the end of the month.
Book night walks through licensed operators or the conservation projects themselves. The money supports the patrols that keep the beaches protected.
Baía das Gatas
The Baía das Gatas festival on São Vicente is the biggest music event in the country, held on the beach around the August full moon. Thousands camp out for it. If you want Cape Verdean music at full volume with the whole island present, this is the weekend.
Accommodation in Mindelo is scarce and expensive that week. Book far ahead or treat it as a day trip.
What to pack for August
- Light breathable fabrics — cotton and linen over synthetics
- A packable rain layer if you are on the green islands
- Insect repellent; mosquitoes appear after rain
- High-factor sunscreen — cloud does not reduce UV much
- Shoes with grip for wet trails
- Rehydration sachets
Our full Cape Verde packing list goes further, including what is hard to buy once you arrive.
What's on in August
Baía das Gatas on São Vicente around the full moon is the headline event. Municipal festivals run across the islands through August.
Peak turtle nesting, with the first hatchlings emerging late in the month.
Crowds and prices
Busy with European summer holidays and with Cape Verdean emigrants returning home, which fills flights and inter-island transport. Prices are high.
To compare across the whole year, see the best time to visit Cape Verde. For the choice of resort type, is all-inclusive worth it covers where it pays off.
Is August a good time to visit Cape Verde?
Go in August if
- You want the warmest sea of the summer
- You want to see nesting turtles at their peak
- You want the Baía das Gatas festival
- You want to see the green islands actually green
Pick another month if
- You are sensitive to heat and humidity
- You want guaranteed dry weather
- You want quiet beaches and low prices
- Your trip depends on a fixed hiking itinerary
Not sure which island suits you regardless of month? Compare all nine, or read the head-to-head on Sal or Boa Vista.
Plan and book your August trip
🏨 Where to stay
Areas compared, with maps and resorts.
🧭 Tours and trips
Prices and availability on GetYourGuide.
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August weather FAQ
Does it rain a lot in Cape Verde in August?
Not by most standards. There are a few wet days rather than a wet month, and showers are short and heavy. The mountainous islands get considerably more than Sal and Boa Vista.
Is August too hot for Cape Verde?
It is the hottest and most humid month. The Atlantic keeps temperatures moderate compared with mainland Africa, but the humidity is what most visitors notice.
Is August good for turtle watching?
It is the peak month for nesting, with the first hatchlings appearing late in August.
When is the Baía das Gatas festival?
It is held on São Vicente around the August full moon, so the exact dates move each year.