High summer. Hot, still mostly dry, with the warmest sea so far and turtles coming ashore most nights on the eastern beaches.
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
July is hot and dry, with humidity beginning to creep up towards the end of the month. Rainfall stays low on Sal, Boa Vista and Maio; the mountainous islands start to see the first proper showers at altitude.
The sea is warm enough that swimming needs no thought at all, the wind is light, and loggerhead turtles are nesting in increasing numbers. School holidays mean the resorts fill and prices climb from mid-month.
Island by island in July
| Island | Avg high | Daily mean | Night | Sea | Wind | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sal | 28°C | 25°C | 22°C | 25°C | 22 km/h | 0 |
| Boa Vista | 28°C | 25°C | 22°C | 25°C | 20 km/h | 0 |
| Maio | 28°C | 25°C | 22°C | 25°C | 19 km/h | 0 |
| Santiago | 28°C | 25°C | 22°C | 25°C | 14 km/h | 0 |
| São Vicente | 27°C | 24°C | 21°C | 24°C | 21 km/h | 0 |
| São Nicolau | 27°C | 24°C | 21°C | 24°C | 18 km/h | 0 |
| Santo Antão | 26°C | 23°C | 20°C | 24°C | 16 km/h | 0 |
| Fogo | 27°C | 24°C | 21°C | 25°C | 15 km/h | 0 |
| Brava | 26°C | 23°C | 20°C | 25°C | 16 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.
Can you swim in Cape Verde in July?
Yes, and this is when the water is at its most inviting so far. Warm, calm and clear, with little wind chill when you come out.
Sea conditions are settled on most beaches. That does not make the permanently dangerous ones safe — currents at certain spots on Sal and Boa Vista are a year-round hazard regardless of how flat the surface looks.
Which beaches are sheltered and which have dangerous currents, island by island: where it is safe to swim in Cape Verde.
Turtle nesting picks up
Loggerhead numbers climb through July. Guided night walks on Boa Vista and Sal have a good chance of a sighting, though nothing is guaranteed and patience is part of the deal.
Keep lights off near nesting beaches after dark. If you are staying beachfront on Boa Vista, closing the curtains is a small thing that makes a difference.
Heat, humidity and shade
This is the point in the year where the middle of the day becomes something to plan around on the beach islands. There is very little natural shade on Sal and Boa Vista; a resort with proper covered areas is worth more in July than in January.
On the green islands, hiking means starting at dawn. Fogo's caldera and the high valleys of Santo Antão stay cooler than the coast, but the approach walks can be brutal by mid-morning.
The dry, crisp air of the winter months gives way to something heavier from late July onwards. It is not oppressive, but it changes how the same temperature feels, and it is the first sign of the short rainy season ahead.
What to pack for July
- High-factor sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat
- Lightest possible clothing
- A large water bottle
- Snorkel gear
- Insect repellent
- Rehydration sachets if you plan long walks
Our full Cape Verde packing list goes further, including what is hard to buy once you arrive.
What's on in July
Independence Day on 5 July is a national holiday with events across the islands. Municipal festivals run through the summer in most towns.
Turtle nesting is under way on the eastern beaches.
Crowds and prices
Busy from mid-July as European school holidays begin. Prices rise accordingly, and the resorts on Sal and Boa Vista book up well in advance.
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 July a good time to visit Cape Verde?
Go in July if
- You want a warm sea and reliable heat
- You are travelling with school-age children
- You want to see nesting turtles
- You want long settled beach days
Pick another month if
- You want to avoid crowds and peak pricing
- You dislike heat and rising humidity
- You are here to kitesurf
- You want cool hiking conditions
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 July trip
🏨 Where to stay
Areas compared, with maps and resorts.
🧭 Tours and trips
Prices and availability on GetYourGuide.
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July weather FAQ
Is July a good time to visit Cape Verde?
It is excellent for a warm-sea beach holiday and for turtle watching, but it is hot, humid towards the end of the month, busy and more expensive.
How hot does Cape Verde get in July?
Hot, though the surrounding Atlantic keeps it well below what the same latitude produces inland in Africa. Shade and hydration matter more than the number suggests.
Does it rain in Cape Verde in July?
Very little on Sal, Boa Vista and Maio. The mountainous islands can see the first showers of the season, mostly at altitude.
Can you see turtles in July?
Yes. Nesting numbers climb through the month, and guided night walks run on Boa Vista and Sal.