Caboverde in August

August weather, activities, events & insider tips

August Weather in Caboverde

29°C (84°F) High Temp

23°C (73°F) Low Temp

65mm (2.6 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is August Right for You?

Advantages

Peak dry season with minimal rainfall - only 65mm (2.6 inches) across the month means clear skies for beach activities and island hopping
Strongest trade winds of the year (20-25 km/h / 12-16 mph) create perfect conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing, especially at Sal's Ponta Preta
Sea temperature peaks at 26°C (79°F) making it ideal for extended swimming, snorkeling, and diving without wetsuits
Harmattan winds from the Sahara bring exceptional visibility (up to 30m/100ft underwater) for diving around the seamounts

Considerations

Peak tourist season means accommodation prices increase 40-60% compared to shoulder months and popular beaches get crowded by 11am
Strong trade winds create choppy seas on windward coasts, limiting boat transfers to some islands and making inter-island flights occasionally bumpy
Harmattan dust can reduce air quality on some days, particularly affecting sensitive individuals and creating hazy sunsets

Best Activities in August

Sal Island Wind Sports

August delivers the year's most consistent trade winds (20-25 km/h) making it prime time for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Sal's Ponta Preta becomes a Mecca for advanced riders, while Kite Beach offers gentler conditions for beginners. Water temperature at 26°C (79°F) means you can stay out for hours without thermal protection.

Booking Tip: Book wind sports lessons 2-3 weeks ahead as certified instructors fill up quickly. Equipment rental typically costs €35-50/day. Look for operators with IKO or VDWS certifications. Check current wind conditions through the booking widget below.

Santiago Island Cultural Immersion

August coincides with the post-harvest festival season when local communities celebrate with traditional batuque drumming and colá dances. The dry weather makes rural village visits comfortable, and you'll experience authentic Cape Verdean culture before tourist development changes these areas.

Booking Tip: Cultural tours run €45-65 per person including transport and local guide. Book with operators who donate portions to community projects. Village visits work best Tuesday-Saturday when communities are most active. See current cultural tour options in the booking section below.

Fogo Volcano Hiking

August's dry conditions and clear skies create perfect visibility for the challenging hike to Pico Do Fogo (2,829m/9,281ft). The crater rim offers spectacular views across the archipelago, and you can visit the active wine-growing communities inside the caldera without muddy trails.

Booking Tip: Guided volcano treks cost €80-120 including transport from São Filipe. Book 7-10 days ahead as group sizes are limited to 8 people. Essential to use certified mountain guides due to loose volcanic terrain. Current guided options available through the booking widget.

Boavista Turtle Watching

August marks peak loggerhead turtle nesting season on Boavista's beaches. Evening tours to Praia de Santa Monica and Curral Velho offer 90% chance of witnessing nesting females. The new moon periods (August 4-8 and September 2-6) provide optimal conditions with minimal light pollution.

Booking Tip: Turtle watching tours run €35-45 per person with certified marine biologists. Book directly through registered conservation groups who contribute to protection programs. Tours operate 8pm-midnight. Check current conservation tours in the booking section below.

São Vicente Deep Sea Fishing

August brings the best offshore fishing conditions with calm seas and abundant blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, and wahoo. The trade winds calm afternoon seas while morning departures take advantage of cooler temperatures and active fish feeding patterns.

Booking Tip: Full-day charters (8 hours) range €400-600 for up to 6 people including equipment and lunch. Half-day trips cost €250-350. Book 5-7 days ahead through licensed operators with safety equipment. Current fishing charter options shown in the booking widget below.

Santo Antão Valley Hiking

The dry season transforms Santo Antão's dramatic valleys into perfect hiking terrain. August offers clear trail conditions through the lush Paul and Cova valleys, with spectacular views of terraced agriculture and endemic plant species without the risk of flash floods.

Booking Tip: Day hikes cost €40-60 per person including guide and transport. Multi-day treks run €120-180 per day. Essential to book certified mountain guides familiar with microclimate changes. Trails require moderate fitness levels. See current hiking options through the booking section.

August Events & Festivals

Mid to Late August

Gamboa Festival

Santiago Island's largest traditional music festival celebrating Cape Verdean funaná and batuco rhythms. Local communities perform in authentic settings rather than tourist venues, offering genuine cultural immersion with traditional food and homemade grogue.

Late August

São Filipe Wine Festival

Fogo Island's celebration of the unique volcanic soil wines produced inside the active crater. Visitors can taste varieties grown nowhere else on earth while learning about viticulture in extreme conditions from local producers.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight windbreaker - trade winds reach 25 km/h (16 mph) making beach time chilly without protection

Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+ - UV index hits 8 and reflection off white sand beaches intensifies exposure

Dust mask or bandana - Harmattan winds bring Saharan dust reducing air quality 3-4 days per month

Water shoes with good grip - volcanic rock coastlines are sharp and can be slippery when wet

Quick-dry clothing in light colors - 70% humidity combined with salt air makes cotton uncomfortable

Portable water bottle with filter - tap water is safe but desalinated and tastes heavily chlorinated

Cash in euros - many local operators and restaurants don't accept cards, ATMs can be unreliable on smaller islands

Seasickness medication - inter-island flights and boat transfers can be bumpy due to trade wind conditions

Insect repellent with DEET - mosquitoes are active in the few areas with standing water, particularly after brief showers

Waterproof phone case - salt spray from waves and occasional light rain can damage electronics

Insider Knowledge

Book inter-island flights for morning departures (before 11am) - afternoon trade winds make small aircraft flights significantly bumpier and more prone to delays

Locals eat lunch late (2-4pm) and dinner after 8pm during August to avoid the hottest parts of the day - restaurants often close 12-2pm for staff rest

Cape Verdean escudo exchange rates are better on Chile and São Vicente - smaller islands often only offer tourist rates that are 8-12% worse than banks

The new desalination plants on Sal and Boavista make tap water safe but heavily chlorinated - locals buy 5-liter bottles for €1.50 rather than individual bottles for €2 each

Avoid These Mistakes

Booking accommodation on windy coastlines without checking wind direction - northeast-facing beaches get constant 25 km/h (16 mph) trade winds that make beach relaxation impossible

Planning island hopping without buffer days - August weather can delay flights and ferries, potentially disrupting tight schedules with international connections

Underestimating sun intensity at this latitude - many visitors get severe burns on their first day despite the pleasant temperature and cooling winds