The driest, breeziest stretch of the year. Reliable sun, a sea that has cooled to its annual low, and wind that decides whether your beach day is glorious or gritty.
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
January is dry, sunny and windy. On the flat eastern islands — Sal, Boa Vista and Maio — expect highs around 25°C, nights near 19°C and something close to eight hours of sun a day. Rain is close to nonexistent; one wet day in the whole month is normal, and it rarely amounts to more than a few millimetres.
Two things separate January from the rest of the year. The sea is at its coolest, so the first thirty seconds in the water are bracing. And the northeast trade winds are at full strength, which is why every kitesurfer in Europe is on Sal this month, and why an unshaded sunbed on an exposed beach can be less restful than the brochure suggests.
Island by island in January
| Island | Avg high | Daily mean | Night | Sea | Wind | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sal | 25°C | 22°C | 19°C | 23°C | 28 km/h | 1 |
| Boa Vista | 25°C | 22°C | 19°C | 23°C | 26 km/h | 1 |
| Maio | 25°C | 22°C | 19°C | 23°C | 25 km/h | 1 |
| Santiago | 25°C | 22°C | 19°C | 23°C | 20 km/h | 2 |
| São Vicente | 24°C | 21°C | 18°C | 22°C | 27 km/h | 2 |
| São Nicolau | 24°C | 21°C | 18°C | 22°C | 24 km/h | 2 |
| Santo Antão | 23°C | 20°C | 17°C | 22°C | 22 km/h | 4 |
| Fogo | 24°C | 21°C | 18°C | 23°C | 21 km/h | 2 |
| Brava | 23°C | 20°C | 17°C | 23°C | 22 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.
Can you swim in Cape Verde in January?
Yes, but this is the month where people hesitate at the water's edge. The Atlantic here is now roughly the temperature of the Mediterranean in early June: comfortable once you are in and moving, not the bathwater some winter-sun brochures imply. Children and anyone who feels the cold will want a rash vest for longer sessions.
Wind matters more than the number. Air moving at 25 km/h over wet skin makes the walk back up the beach feel far colder than the water did. Sheltered bays make a real difference — our guides to Sal's beaches and Boa Vista's beaches say which ones are protected and, just as importantly, which have currents strong enough that swimming is a bad idea in any month.
Which beaches are sheltered and which have dangerous currents, island by island: where it is safe to swim in Cape Verde.
How windy is January, really?
This is the part most weather pages skip. January sits in the middle of the northeast trade wind season, which runs roughly November to May and peaks now. The averages translate to force 4 to 5 on the Beaufort scale: constant, warm, and strong enough to move loose sand along the beach at ankle height.
For anyone on a board this is the whole point. Santa Maria and Kite Beach on Sal are at their most reliable, and so is Ponta Preta for wave riding.
Pick a hotel with walled or partly enclosed beach areas, or plan to use the pool on the windiest days. A pop-up beach shelter earns its luggage space. And read your hotel's reviews specifically for the word "windy" before booking — the difference between two resorts a kilometre apart can be substantial.
Haze: the thing brochures leave out
Several times each winter a dry easterly draws Saharan dust across the islands. Locally it is called bruma seca. The sky turns milky white rather than blue, visibility drops, and photographs come out flat. It is not dangerous for most people, though anyone with asthma should carry their inhaler.
The practical risk is to travel plans. Heavy haze has been known to disrupt inter-island flights, so if you are connecting to Santo Antão or Fogo on a tight schedule, build in a buffer day rather than booking the last possible connection. Episodes usually last one to three days.
What to pack for January
- High-factor sunscreen — the breeze hides how strong the sun is
- A light fleece or long sleeves for evenings
- Rash vest for long swims or snorkelling
- Sunglasses that stay on in wind, and a hat with a chin strap
- Something to shelter behind on the beach
- Lip balm and moisturiser — the air is very dry
- Walking shoes if Santo Antão or Fogo are on the plan
Our full Cape Verde packing list goes further, including what is hard to buy once you arrive.
What's on in January
January is quiet on the festival calendar. The post-New-Year weeks are lively in Santa Maria and Praia without anything formally programmed, and preparations for February's carnival in Mindelo begin towards the end of the month — you will see rehearsals and costume workshops if you are looking.
Wildlife-wise, January falls between seasons. Humpbacks have not arrived; the first sightings are usually from March. Turtle nesting finished months ago.
Day trips for a January holiday
Prices, times and availability are shown on GetYourGuide. Many tours offer free cancellation.
Sal island tour with a local guide
- About 6 hours, hotel pick-up
- Buracona Blue Eye, Pedra de Lume, Palmeira
- Private option available
Catamaran trip from Santa Maria
- Sail along Sal's west coast
- Swim and snorkelling stop
- Pick-up available
Guided hikes on Santo Antão
- Day hikes with local guides
- Two-day tours including the ferry
- Pick-up available
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Crowds and prices
January is peak season. The first ten days carry Christmas and New Year pricing and the resorts on Sal and Boa Vista run close to full. From mid-January rates soften noticeably while the weather stays identical — that middle-to-late window is the best-value part of the month.
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 January a good time to visit Cape Verde?
Go in January if
- You want the most reliable sunshine and near-zero rain risk
- You kitesurf, windsurf or surf
- You are hiking Santo Antão or Fogo and want cool, clear trails
- You are escaping a northern winter and 25°C is plenty
Pick another month if
- Warm water is what you came for — try September or October
- You dislike wind on the beach
- You want whales (March–May) or turtles (June–October)
- You are on the tightest budget — May and June cost less
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 January 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.
January weather FAQ
Can you sunbathe in Cape Verde in January?
Yes. Around eight hours of sunshine a day and a high midday UV index mean you will tan easily and burn easily. The trade wind masks how strong the sun is, which is how most January sunburn happens.
Is the sea warm enough to swim in January?
It is the coolest sea of the year but swimmable. Expect a sharp first few seconds. Sheltered bays feel warmer than exposed beaches because there is less wind chill when you get out.
Does it rain in Cape Verde in January?
Very rarely. One day with measurable rain in the month is typical on the eastern islands. The green islands see slightly more, mostly as drizzle at altitude.
Is January too windy for a beach holiday?
It depends what you want from the beach. Walking, swimming and watersports are excellent. Lying still on an exposed stretch of sand is less pleasant than in September or October.