Statistically almost identical to January, but the mood is different: carnival takes over Mindelo and the islands feel busier than the weather alone would suggest.
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
February is the coolest month of the Cape Verdean year, and the difference from January is measured in fractions of a degree rather than anything you would notice. Highs stay around 25°C on Sal and Boa Vista, rain remains close to zero, and the trade winds keep blowing hard.
The sea bottoms out this month. It is still perfectly swimmable, but if a warm ocean is high on your list, February is the worst month to pick. What February has instead is carnival, half-term availability, and the clearest hiking conditions of the year on the green islands.
Island by island in February
| Island | Avg high | Daily mean | Night | Sea | Wind | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sal | 25°C | 22°C | 19°C | 22°C | 29 km/h | 0 |
| Boa Vista | 25°C | 22°C | 19°C | 22°C | 27 km/h | 0 |
| Maio | 25°C | 22°C | 19°C | 22°C | 26 km/h | 0 |
| Santiago | 25°C | 22°C | 19°C | 22°C | 21 km/h | 0 |
| São Vicente | 24°C | 21°C | 18°C | 21°C | 28 km/h | 0 |
| São Nicolau | 24°C | 21°C | 18°C | 21°C | 25 km/h | 0 |
| Santo Antão | 23°C | 20°C | 17°C | 21°C | 23 km/h | 0 |
| Fogo | 24°C | 21°C | 18°C | 22°C | 22 km/h | 0 |
| Brava | 23°C | 20°C | 17°C | 22°C | 23 km/h | 0 |
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.
Which island is best in February?
The differences between the islands are small this month, so choose by what you want to do rather than by the forecast.
- Sal or Boa Vista for sun, beaches and watersports. The warmest and driest islands in the table, and also the windiest at 27–29 km/h on average. Ideal for kitesurfing; less ideal for a calm afternoon on a sunbed. Torn between the two? Read Sal or Boa Vista.
- Santiago if the wind puts you off. The same 25°C average high as Sal, with the lightest wind in the table at around 21 km/h. It suits a mix of culture and coast better than a pure beach week.
- São Vicente for carnival. Mindelo is the place to be in carnival week, but only if you book early (see below).
- Santo Antão or Fogo for hiking. Dry trails and cool air make February the best walking month of the year. Our Cape Verde hiking guide lists the routes.
Carnival in Mindelo
Mindelo on São Vicente hosts the largest carnival in the country, and it takes over the island for a week. Expect parades, drumming groups, costume competitions and streets that do not go quiet until morning. Smaller celebrations run in Praia, on São Nicolau and in Santa Maria.
Carnival 2027: Easter falls on 28 March 2027, which puts Carnival Tuesday, the day of the main parades, on 9 February 2027. Ash Wednesday on 10 February closes the season. Check the official programme with your accommodation or the Mindelo municipality before you book, as event days and times are confirmed late.
If you want to be there, book early — accommodation in Mindelo fills months ahead and prices rise sharply for the carnival week. If you want a quiet beach holiday, either avoid São Vicente that week or treat it as a day trip from elsewhere. Carnival dates move with Easter, so check the year you are travelling.
Can you swim in Cape Verde in February?
Yes, and most visitors do. This is the coolest the Atlantic gets around the islands, so expect a sharp intake of breath on entry and then no complaints. Snorkelling is fine for short stints; if you plan an hour in the water, a shorty wetsuit stops it becoming a test of endurance.
Visibility is generally good this month because there is little rain runoff. Diving operators run year-round, though surge on exposed sites can cancel dives when the swell is up.
Which beaches are sheltered and which have dangerous currents, island by island: where it is safe to swim in Cape Verde.
Wind, hiking and the green islands
February is the best hiking month of the year on Santo Antão and Fogo. Trails are dry, the air is cool enough that a long ascent is pleasant rather than punishing, and the light is clear on the days when haze stays away.
The trade winds are still near their peak, which is excellent on a board and noticeable on a ridge. Exposed sections of the Cova to Paul route can be very gusty; keep hats secured and take the inland variants if the wind is up.
Saharan haze remains possible through February and can flatten the views that are the reason to climb in the first place. If your trip includes one crucial viewpoint, allow more than one day for it.
Guided hikes in the best walking month
Prices, times and availability are shown on GetYourGuide. Many tours offer free cancellation.
Guided hikes on Santo Antão
- Day hikes with local guides
- Two-day tours including the ferry
- Pick-up available
Santo Antão day trip with lunch
- Ferry from Mindelo, then 4x4 or minibus
- Cova crater and the Paul Valley
- Short hike and a Cape Verdean lunch
Pico do Fogo summit hike
- Guided climb from Chã das Caldeiras
- About 3 hours to the top
- Fast descent on volcanic ash
Affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. How this works.
What to pack for February
- Rash vest or shorty wetsuit if you plan long swims
- Warm layer for evenings and for early starts on the trails
- High-factor sunscreen and a secure hat
- Walking boots with grip for Santo Antão's cobbled paths
- Earplugs if you are in Mindelo during carnival
- Beach shelter or windbreak
- Moisturiser and lip balm
Our full Cape Verde packing list goes further, including what is hard to buy once you arrive.
What's on in February
Carnival is the headline, centred on Mindelo but celebrated across the islands. Dates shift each year with the church calendar, usually falling in February and occasionally early March.
Wildlife is still in its quiet period. Humpbacks arrive from March; turtle nesting is months away.
Crowds and prices
Busy, particularly around carnival week and European half-term. Outside those two windows February is a reasonable-value month with weather indistinguishable from the more expensive Christmas period.
Travelling at half-term
Much of Europe has a school break in February: half-term in the UK and Ireland, and carnival or spring holidays in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Dates differ by country and often by region, and those are the weeks when direct flights and family rooms sell out first.
If you are tied to school dates, book early and compare departure airports, because availability varies by route. Our guide to flight times by airport shows which ones have direct services. If you are not tied to school dates, late January and early March offer practically the same weather, usually at lower prices. Travelling as a family? See Cape Verde with kids for the islands and beaches that work best for children.
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 February a good time to visit Cape Verde?
Go in February if
- You want to see carnival
- You are hiking Santo Antão or Fogo
- You kitesurf or windsurf
- You want guaranteed dry weather
Pick another month if
- You want a warm sea — this is the coldest it gets
- You want quiet; carnival week is anything but
- You are hoping to see whales or turtles
- You dislike persistent wind
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 February trip
🏨 Where to stay
Areas compared, with maps and resorts.
🧭 Tours and trips
Prices and availability on GetYourGuide.
Tour links go to GetYourGuide; we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. How this works.
February weather FAQ
When is carnival in Cape Verde?
Carnival falls in the days before Lent, so the date moves each year — usually February, sometimes early March. In 2027, Carnival Tuesday falls on 9 February. Mindelo on São Vicente hosts the biggest celebration.
Is February a good time to visit Cape Verde?
It is one of the driest and sunniest months, excellent for hiking and watersports. The trade-off is the coolest sea of the year and steady wind.
Is the sea cold in February?
It is at its annual low, though still warm by northern European standards. Comfortable for swimming, cool enough that a rash vest helps on longer sessions.
Does it rain in February in Cape Verde?
Almost never on the eastern islands. The mountainous islands can see light drizzle at altitude.
Is Cape Verde hot in February?
Warm rather than hot. Daytime highs average around 25°C on Sal, Boa Vista, Maio and Santiago, nights drop to about 19°C, and the trade wind makes it feel cooler in the shade and after dark. Bring a light layer for evenings.
What is the sea temperature in Cape Verde in February?
About 21–22°C, among the lowest of the year. Most people swim without a wetsuit; a rash vest or shorty wetsuit helps on long snorkelling sessions.
Which Cape Verde island is warmest in February?
Sal, Boa Vista, Maio and Santiago, which all average highs of around 25°C. Santiago is the least windy of the four. The mountainous islands of Santo Antão and Brava average about 23°C at sea level and are colder at altitude.