The wettest month and the quietest. Also the month with the warmest sea, the greenest mountains and the lowest prices of the year.
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
September is the wettest month of the Cape Verdean year, which in local terms still means a handful of rainy days rather than a washout. The eastern beach islands stay largely dry; the mountainous islands take most of the rainfall and look completely different for it.
Against that, September has the warmest sea of the year, hatching turtles, green valleys on Santo Antão and São Nicolau, and the fewest visitors you will find in any month. If you can accept some rain risk, it is the best-value month on the calendar.
Island by island in September
| Island | Avg high | Daily mean | Night | Sea | Wind | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sal | 29°C | 27°C | 24°C | 27°C | 19 km/h | 3 |
| Boa Vista | 29°C | 27°C | 24°C | 27°C | 17 km/h | 3 |
| Maio | 29°C | 27°C | 24°C | 27°C | 16 km/h | 4 |
| Santiago | 29°C | 27°C | 24°C | 27°C | 11 km/h | 6 |
| São Vicente | 28°C | 26°C | 23°C | 26°C | 18 km/h | 4 |
| São Nicolau | 28°C | 26°C | 23°C | 26°C | 15 km/h | 8 |
| Santo Antão | 27°C | 25°C | 22°C | 26°C | 13 km/h | 10 |
| Fogo | 28°C | 26°C | 23°C | 27°C | 12 km/h | 8 |
| Brava | 27°C | 25°C | 22°C | 27°C | 13 km/h | 9 |
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.
How much rain, honestly
Sal and Boa Vista record only a few wet days in September and the totals are small by almost any international comparison. Rain tends to come as short, warm, heavy bursts, often in the late afternoon, with sun either side.
Santiago, Santo Antão, São Nicolau and Fogo get substantially more, concentrated at altitude. Mountain roads can wash out and trails get slippery. Plan flexible days on those islands rather than a fixed itinerary.
The waters near Cape Verde are where many Atlantic hurricanes begin to form, and this is the peak of that season. Systems overwhelmingly track west away from the islands, and direct impacts are uncommon — but tropical systems have affected Cape Verde in the past. Check forecasts in the days before you fly and take travel insurance that covers disruption.
The warmest sea of the year
September and October are when the Atlantic around the islands is at its warmest. Swimming, snorkelling and diving are all at their most comfortable, and there is no wind chill on the way out of the water.
Visibility can be reduced after heavy rain on the islands with runoff, but on Sal and Boa Vista that is rarely a factor.
Hatchlings and green mountains
Turtle hatchlings emerge through September and into November. Watching a nest release is a different experience from watching a female nest, and many people find it the better one.
This is also the only time of year the green islands actually look green. Santo Antão's valleys are at their most photogenic in late September and October — a completely different island from the arid version most visitors see.
What to pack for September
- A packable rain layer for the green islands
- Insect repellent — mosquitoes are most active now
- Light breathable clothing; humidity is still high
- Shoes with grip
- Snorkel gear for the warmest water of the year
- Sunscreen — UV stays high under cloud
Our full Cape Verde packing list goes further, including what is hard to buy once you arrive.
What's on in September
Nationality Day on 12 September. The Santa Maria music festival on Sal takes place in September in most years — check dates before planning around it.
Turtle hatchlings emerge through the month.
Crowds and prices
The quietest month of the year. Flights and accommodation are at their cheapest, and the resorts are noticeably empty.
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 September a good time to visit Cape Verde?
Go in September if
- You want the warmest sea of the year
- You want the lowest prices and emptiest beaches
- You want to see turtle hatchlings
- You want to photograph the green islands
Pick another month if
- You need guaranteed dry weather
- You have a fixed hiking itinerary on the mountainous islands
- You are sensitive to humidity
- You want a lively resort atmosphere
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 September 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.
September weather FAQ
Is September a bad time to visit Cape Verde?
It is the wettest month, but that still means a few showery days rather than sustained rain, and Sal and Boa Vista stay largely dry. In exchange you get the warmest sea, the fewest people and the lowest prices.
Does Cape Verde get hurricanes?
The waters near the islands are where many Atlantic hurricanes form, and September is the peak of that season. Systems usually track west away from Cape Verde and direct impacts are uncommon, but it is worth checking forecasts before you fly.
How warm is the sea in September?
This is the warmest month of the year for sea temperature, alongside October.
Can you see baby turtles in September?
Yes. Hatchlings emerge through September and continue into November.