The quiet month. Weather is settled, the sea is warming, the wind has largely gone, and rates are about as low as they get before the summer holidays.
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
May is warm, dry and calm. The trade winds that defined the winter have faded to a light breeze, the sea has climbed off its low, and rainfall stays effectively at zero across the eastern islands.
It is also one of the least busy months of the year, sitting between the European winter-sun season and the summer holidays. If value matters and you have no fixed dates, May and June are the two months to look at first.
Island by island in May
| Island | Avg high | Daily mean | Night | Sea | Wind | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sal | 26°C | 23°C | 20°C | 23°C | 25 km/h | 0 |
| Boa Vista | 26°C | 23°C | 20°C | 23°C | 23 km/h | 0 |
| Maio | 26°C | 23°C | 20°C | 23°C | 22 km/h | 0 |
| Santiago | 26°C | 23°C | 20°C | 23°C | 17 km/h | 0 |
| São Vicente | 25°C | 22°C | 19°C | 22°C | 24 km/h | 0 |
| São Nicolau | 25°C | 22°C | 19°C | 22°C | 21 km/h | 0 |
| Santo Antão | 24°C | 21°C | 18°C | 22°C | 19 km/h | 0 |
| Fogo | 25°C | 22°C | 19°C | 23°C | 18 km/h | 0 |
| Brava | 24°C | 21°C | 18°C | 23°C | 19 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 May?
Comfortably. The sea has warmed past its winter low and, with almost no wind chill, feels considerably warmer than the figure alone suggests. Long swims and snorkelling sessions are easy without any neoprene.
Sea conditions are settled, which means the exposed beaches are less hazardous than in winter — though the ones with permanent currents remain dangerous year-round regardless of month.
Which beaches are sheltered and which have dangerous currents, island by island: where it is safe to swim in Cape Verde.
What happens to the wind
The trade wind season is winding down. Kitesurfing schools still run, but reliable days are scarce and this is not the month to plan a kite trip around.
For everyone else it is an improvement: still, hot beach days, calm boat trips and comfortable outdoor evenings.
Hiking before the heat
Santo Antão and Fogo are still very walkable, though noticeably warmer than in February. Start early, carry more water than you think you need, and consider the shaded valley routes over the exposed ridges in the middle of the day.
Trails are dry and the landscape is at its most arid — dramatic, but this is not the green Santo Antão of the photographs. For green valleys, come in late September or October.
A few humpbacks linger into early May, but the season is over in practical terms. Turtle nesting has not started. May is the quietest month of the year for wildlife.
What to pack for May
- Sunscreen and a hat — the sun is strong and there is no breeze to hide it
- Light, loose clothing
- Snorkel gear
- Extra water bottles for hiking
- A light layer for evenings, though you may not need it
- Insect repellent for the green islands
Our full Cape Verde packing list goes further, including what is hard to buy once you arrive.
What's on in May
A quiet month on the calendar. Labour Day on 1 May is a public holiday. The Bandeira de São Filipe on Fogo falls at the start of the month in most years and is one of the country's more distinctive festivals — check dates locally.
Wildlife is at its quietest: whales have largely gone, turtles have not arrived.
Crowds and prices
One of the quietest and best-value months. Resorts on Sal and Boa Vista have availability, and flight prices drop away from the winter peak.
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 May a good time to visit Cape Verde?
Go in May if
- Value and quiet matter most
- You want warm calm sea without wind
- You want beaches to yourself
- You are diving or snorkelling
Pick another month if
- You kitesurf — the wind has gone
- You want to see whales or turtles
- You want green landscapes on Santo Antão
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 May 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.
May weather FAQ
Is May a good time to visit Cape Verde?
Yes, especially for value. Warm, dry, calm and quiet, with a sea that has warmed off its winter low. The trade-off is very little wildlife activity.
Is Cape Verde windy in May?
Much less than in winter. The trade winds have faded, which suits beach days but not kitesurfing.
Does it rain in Cape Verde in May?
Effectively no. May is one of the driest months of the year.
Can you see turtles in May?
No. Loggerhead nesting begins around June and runs to October.