Things to Do in Cabo Verde in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Cabo Verde
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Windsurfing and kitesurfing conditions are absolutely exceptional - March sits right in the sweet spot of the northeast trade wind season with consistent 20-25 knot winds on Sal and Boa Vista. The European windsurfing crowd knows this, which is why you'll see world-class riders testing equipment here before competitions.
- Whale watching season is in full swing as humpback whales migrate through Cape Verdean waters between February and May. Boa Vista offers the most reliable sightings, with mothers and calves often visible from shore at Praia de Santa Monica. Water visibility reaches 20-30 m (65-100 ft) in March, making it ideal for underwater encounters.
- Carnival celebrations happen in late February through early March, and the festivities genuinely continue well into the month. São Vicente's Mindelo hosts the biggest party, but you'll find street celebrations on every inhabited island with a fraction of the crowds you'd battle in Brazil or Trinidad.
- Hotel pricing drops significantly after Carnival week ends - you're looking at 25-40% lower rates compared to February, while weather conditions remain nearly identical. Flight prices from Europe also tend to dip in mid-to-late March as the winter escape crowd thins out.
Considerations
- Harmattan winds can blow Saharan dust across the islands, creating hazy conditions that reduce visibility and coat everything in a fine layer of sand. This happens maybe 5-7 days in March, and when it does, that Instagram-perfect turquoise water looks more grey-green. Locals call it 'bruma seca' and just accept it as part of island life.
- Those 10 rainy days listed in the weather data are misleading - March technically sits in the dry season, so any rain is usually brief and unpredictable. The real issue is that the humidity at 70% makes the 25.6°C (78°F) feel considerably warmer, especially during midday hours between 11am-3pm when there's little shade on the volcanic landscapes.
- Sea temperatures hover around 22-23°C (72-73°F), which sounds pleasant but actually feels quite cool for extended swimming or snorkeling sessions without a wetsuit. You'll see tourists shivering after 30 minutes in the water while locals in 3mm wetsuits look perfectly comfortable.
Best Activities in March
Sal Island Windsurfing and Kitesurfing
March delivers the most consistent wind conditions of the entire year on Sal, particularly at Ponta Preta and Santa Maria beaches. Northeast trades blow at 20-25 knots with remarkable reliability - you're looking at maybe 2-3 windless days the entire month. The water stays relatively flat on the western beaches while the eastern shores offer wave riding for advanced kiters. Water temperature requires a shorty wetsuit or spring suit, which actually helps prevent chafing during long sessions.
Boa Vista Whale Watching Tours
Humpback whales migrate through Cape Verdean waters from late February through April, with March offering peak sighting opportunities. Mothers with calves stay close to Boa Vista's western shores, and you'll often spot them from Praia de Santa Monica without even getting on a boat. The water clarity in March reaches 20-30 m (65-100 ft) visibility, making underwater listening experiences particularly powerful. Early morning departures between 7-9am offer the calmest seas and best lighting for photography.
Santo Antão Mountain Hiking
March offers ideal hiking conditions on Santo Antão before April heat intensifies. The Cova crater to Paúl valley descent showcases the greenest landscapes you'll see all year, with terraced agriculture still lush from winter moisture. Temperatures in the highlands stay comfortable at 18-22°C (64-72°F) during morning hikes, though you'll want to start by 7am to avoid midday sun exposure at UV index 8. The Ribeira Grande valley trails offer dramatic volcanic scenery with minimal crowds compared to peak winter months.
Santiago Cultural Tours and Cidade Velha
March weather makes exploring Santiago's UNESCO World Heritage site at Cidade Velha much more comfortable than summer months. Morning temperatures around 20-22°C (68-72°F) are perfect for walking the cobblestone streets and climbing to Fortaleza Real de São Filipe. The capital Praia offers authentic Cape Verdean market experiences at Sucupira Market, where you'll find everything from batik fabrics to grogue rum. Post-Carnival, you can actually have conversations with vendors without fighting tourist crowds.
São Vicente Music and Nightlife Scene
Mindelo on São Vicente is Cape Verde's cultural capital, and March extends the Carnival energy into regular programming at venues like Casa da Morna and various beachfront bars. Live music happens almost nightly, with morna and coladeira performances starting around 10pm and running past 2am. The post-Carnival period means musicians are still in town before summer touring season begins. Daytime, you can visit Cesária Évora's former home and the Centro Cultural do Mindelo without peak-season crowds.
Fogo Volcano Hiking and Wine Tasting
Climbing Pico do Fogo at 2,829 m (9,281 ft) is significantly more pleasant in March than summer months, though you'll still want to start the ascent by 6am to avoid afternoon heat and potential cloud cover. The caldera floor vineyards produce unique wines grown in volcanic ash soil, and March timing means you'll see early grape development before harvest season. The black lava landscapes create stunning photographic contrasts, especially in morning light when dust haze is minimal.
March Events & Festivals
Carnival Celebrations (Late February into Early March)
While Carnival officially peaks in late February, the celebrations genuinely continue through the first week of March across all islands. Mindelo on São Vicente hosts the most elaborate parades with samba schools, elaborate costumes, and street parties that rival Brazilian Carnival on a smaller scale. São Nicolau and Santiago also host significant celebrations with more traditional Cape Verdean music and dance. The atmosphere stays festive well into mid-March with impromptu street performances and extended nightlife hours.
Gamboa Music Festival
This festival on Santiago typically happens in mid-March and showcases Cape Verdean music styles from morna to funaná to batuko. Unlike tourist-focused events, this draws primarily local crowds and features both established artists and emerging talent. Venues spread across Praia's beaches and cultural centers, with performances running from afternoon through late night. It's an authentic look at contemporary Cape Verdean music culture without the commercialization of larger festivals.