Things to Do in Cabo Verde in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Cabo Verde
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- Trade winds return in April, dropping humidity from March's oppressive 80% to a manageable 70%, making Sal's cliff-top hiking actually pleasant instead of a sweat-drenched ordeal
- Sea temperatures hit 75°F (24°C) - warm enough for swimming but cool enough to refresh after inland hikes, perfect for the Praia de Santa Maria morning swim locals swear by
- Hotel rates are 30-40% lower than December-February peak season, yet weather is arguably better - you'll get the same sunshine without the European package tour crowds hogging beach loungers
- Maio Island's nesting loggerhead turtles peak in April - guided night tours run with 6-8 people max instead of the August crush of 30+ tourists fighting for red torch space
Considerations
- April marks the start of the windy season - kite surfers celebrate but beach umbrellas become projectiles, particularly on Sal's windward eastern beaches where sandblasting is real
- Some smaller islands like Brava and Santo Antão see reduced ferry schedules as demand drops, meaning spontaneous island-hopping becomes more complicated than during peak months
- Water clarity for diving drops slightly compared to October-January due to increased surface chop, though most dive operators will frankly tell you it's still better than 90% of Caribbean destinations
Best Activities in April
Volcano crater hiking tours on Fogo
April's 75°F (24°C) daytime temps make the 3-hour ascent to Pico do Fogo's 2,829 m (9,281 ft) summit actually enjoyable, unlike the 95°F (35°C) scorching of July. Morning starts at 6 AM avoid both heat and the clouds that roll in by 2 PM. The lava fields look otherworldly in spring light, and you'll share the crater rim with maybe 10 other hikers instead of 50+ during peak season.
São Vicente music scene tours
April evenings in Mindelo are when the live music spills from hidden grogue bars onto cobblestone streets at perfect 72°F (22°C) weather. The carnival crowds are gone but the musicians aren't exhausted yet - you'll catch impromptu jam sessions at places like Café Musique where Cesária Évora used to perform, with barely a tourist in sight.
Sal Island dune buggy expeditions
April's firm morning sand makes 4x4 tours through the Terra Boa desert actually possible instead of the wheel-spinning nightmare of August's loose powder. The 7 AM starts catch the sunrise over shark-tooth volcanic ridges while temperatures are still 68°F (20°C) - perfect for stopping at Buracona's natural pool without overheating.
Santiago Island cultural walking tours
April's mild 74°F (23°C) afternoons are ideal for Cidade Velha's UNESCO cobblestones without melting through them. The 500-year-old fort looks spectacular in spring light, and the guide stories about pirate attacks feel more real when you're not dodging tour bus crowds. Plus, the Rabelados religious communities are more welcoming when visitor numbers drop.
Boa Vista turtle watching expeditions
April is the sweet spot for Boa Vista's loggerhead turtles - nesting season is active but guides aren't yet exhausted from peak season tours. Night walks on Ervatão Beach happen with 6-8 people max instead of 25+, and the 73°F (23°C) evening temps mean you won't freeze during the 3-hour turtle encounters that can stretch past midnight.
April Events & Festivals
Kriol Jazz Festival
Mindelo's harbor-front transforms into an open-air jazz venue for three April nights featuring Cape Verdean fusion acts. The sound of saxophones mixes with Atlantic waves while locals sell grilled limpets from portable barbecues. It happens mid-April when the weather's perfect - warm evenings without the August crowds that make moving between stages impossible