Dry, hot and still. The sea keeps warming, the first turtles come ashore, and the islands are about as quiet as they get before the summer rush.
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
June is one of the driest months of the year — on Sal, some years record no measurable rain at all. Days are hot, the wind is light, and the sea has warmed enough that nobody hesitates on the way in.
The other change is on the beaches at night. Loggerhead turtles start coming ashore to nest, mainly on Boa Vista, Sal and Maio, building through the summer. It is the beginning of the best wildlife season of the year.
Island by island in June
| Island | Avg high | Daily mean | Night | Sea | Wind | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sal | 27°C | 24°C | 21°C | 24°C | 23 km/h | 0 |
| Boa Vista | 27°C | 24°C | 21°C | 24°C | 21 km/h | 0 |
| Maio | 27°C | 24°C | 21°C | 24°C | 20 km/h | 0 |
| Santiago | 27°C | 24°C | 21°C | 24°C | 15 km/h | 0 |
| São Vicente | 26°C | 23°C | 20°C | 23°C | 22 km/h | 0 |
| São Nicolau | 26°C | 23°C | 20°C | 23°C | 19 km/h | 0 |
| Santo Antão | 25°C | 22°C | 19°C | 23°C | 17 km/h | 0 |
| Fogo | 26°C | 23°C | 20°C | 24°C | 16 km/h | 0 |
| Brava | 25°C | 22°C | 19°C | 24°C | 17 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.
Turtle nesting begins
Loggerheads nest on dark, undisturbed beaches from around June to October. Numbers are low in June and climb steadily; if turtles are your main reason for travelling, July to September is more reliable.
Go with a licensed guide. Lights, flash photography and noise disturb nesting females and disorient hatchlings, and several beaches are closed at night for that reason. Organised night walks exist on Boa Vista and Sal and are the only responsible way to see it.
Artificial light drives females back into the sea before they lay and sends hatchlings inland instead of towards the water. If your hotel backs onto a nesting beach, keep balcony lights off at night during the season.
Can you swim in Cape Verde in June?
Easily. The sea is warm, the wind is light and conditions are settled. This is the point in the year when the water stops being a talking point and simply becomes pleasant.
Diving visibility is generally good, with a wider range of marine life around than in winter.
Which beaches are sheltered and which have dangerous currents, island by island: where it is safe to swim in Cape Verde.
Heat and hiking
The green islands are getting hot. Santo Antão and Fogo are still rewarding but demand an early start — set off at first light and be off the exposed sections before midday. Carry more water than you would in winter.
On the beach islands the heat is tempered by whatever sea breeze there is. Shade is scarce on Sal and Boa Vista, so a hat and a plan for the middle of the day matter.
What to pack for June
- High-factor sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat
- Light, breathable clothing
- Reusable water bottle — hydration matters more from now on
- Snorkel gear
- A red-filter head torch if you are on a guided turtle walk
- Insect repellent, especially on the green islands
Our full Cape Verde packing list goes further, including what is hard to buy once you arrive.
What's on in June
Turtle nesting begins. Municipal festivals take place across the islands through the summer; the São João celebrations in late June are marked in several places, notably on Santo Antão and Brava.
Whale season is over.
Crowds and prices
Quiet and good value for the first half of the month, filling up as European school holidays begin at the end of June.
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 June a good time to visit Cape Verde?
Go in June if
- You want the driest possible weather
- You want warm sea and calm conditions
- You want to see the start of turtle season
- You are travelling before the school holidays for lower prices
Pick another month if
- You want strong wind for kitesurfing
- You dislike heat on hiking trails
- You want peak turtle numbers — come in August
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 June trip
🏨 Where to stay
Areas compared, with maps and resorts.
🧭 Tours and trips
Prices and availability on GetYourGuide.
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June weather FAQ
Can you see turtles in Cape Verde in June?
Nesting begins in June, but numbers are low. July to September gives a much better chance of seeing a female come ashore.
Is June a good time to visit Cape Verde?
Yes. It is among the driest months, with a warm sea and light wind. Good value too, until school holidays begin.
How hot is Cape Verde in June?
Hot but not extreme — the ocean keeps temperatures well below what the same latitude produces on the African mainland. Shade is the scarce resource on the beach islands.
Is the sea warm in June?
Yes, comfortably warm for swimming and snorkelling without a wetsuit.