Cape Verde weather in December is the start of the classic winter-sun season: Sal averages about 26 °C by day and 22 °C at night, the sea is around 25 °C and rain is rare. The trade winds strengthen, which is good news for kitesurfers, and Christmas and New Year bring the highest prices of the year. Here is the detail; the full-year overview is in Cape Verde weather.
| Month | Day | Night | Sea | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25 °C | 20 °C | 24 °C | 0 mm |
| February | 24 °C | 20 °C | 23 °C | 10 mm |
| March | 24 °C | 20 °C | 22 °C | 0 mm |
| April | 25 °C | 20 °C | 23 °C | 0 mm |
| May | 25 °C | 21 °C | 24 °C | 0 mm |
| June | 26 °C | 22 °C | 24 °C | 0 mm |
| July | 27 °C | 23 °C | 26 °C | 5 mm |
| August | 29 °C | 24 °C | 27 °C | 30 mm |
| September | 29 °C | 25 °C | 28 °C | 35 mm |
| October | 29 °C | 25 °C | 28 °C | 15 mm |
| November | 28 °C | 23 °C | 26 °C | 5 mm |
| December | 26 °C | 22 °C | 25 °C | 5 mm |
On Sal the average high in December is about 26 °C and the low about 22 °C, with around 5 mm of rain in the long-term average, so a passing shower is about the most you can expect. Boa Vista is similar; see Boa Vista weather. It is warm enough to spend the day on the beach, but the wind makes evenings feel fresh, so pack a light jumper. Our Sal weather guide explains the island's dry, breezy climate.
The mountainous islands are dry again after the autumn rains, and the green fades over the month. Nights on the heights of Santo Antão and in the crater of Fogo are cold, so take warm layers if you plan to hike or stay up there. From about November to March the Harmattan can carry Saharan dust over the archipelago: on days of bruma seca the sky turns milky, views vanish and inter-island flights are sometimes delayed, so build in a buffer before your flight home if you are island hopping.
The sea around Sal averages about 25 °C in December, still pleasantly warm. The north-east trade winds return in force: December opens the windiest part of the year, which lasts roughly until May and brings the best kitesurf and windsurf conditions to Kite Beach and Ponta Preta on Sal. Winter swells also roll onto the exposed coasts of Sal and Boa Vista, so families should stick to sheltered bays such as Santa Maria; see our beach guide.
December is a good month for active days: kitesurf lessons, quad and jeep trips on Boa Vista, Shark Bay on Sal and walks on Santo Antão, where the mild temperatures suit long routes. The turtle season is over and the whales are not expected until about March, so choose from the year-round tours.
Christmas on 25 December is a public holiday, celebrated mainly as a family and church occasion, and New Year's Eve is celebrated with music and parties in the towns as well as the resorts. If you want to see a Cape Verdean town at holiday time rather than a resort, consider a few nights in Mindelo on São Vicente.
The two weeks around Christmas and New Year are the most expensive of the year on Sal and Boa Vista, and popular hotels often fill up months ahead. The first half of December, by contrast, is often quiet and noticeably cheaper. Book early for the festive period and compare months in the best time to visit. For the traditions, the free New Year's Eve concerts and booking tips, read our guide to Cape Verde at Christmas and New Year.
Yes: on Sal the average high is about 26 °C and the low about 22 °C, with the sea at around 25 °C. The trade winds make it feel cooler, especially in the evening.
Yes: the sea around Sal averages about 25 °C in December, warmer than in any month from January to June. Choose sheltered bays such as Santa Maria, because winter swells make exposed beaches rough.
Yes, it is one of the warmest winter-sun options with direct flights from the UK, and rain is rare. It is also the most expensive time of year, so book well ahead. Our Christmas and New Year guide explains where the celebrations are and how to book.
Yes, December starts the windiest season, which lasts roughly until May. Kitesurfers love it; sunbathers should pick a sheltered beach or a hotel with wind-protected pool areas.
Suits first-time visitors who want an overview of Sal with a certified local guide rather than planning each stop. The tour takes about seven hours, so allow most of the day.
from €35 per person
Check availabilityvia GetYourGuide
A guided drive around Sal for travellers who prefer an open vehicle to a coach. A local guide covers the island's landscapes, natural sights and everyday culture in Cape Verde.
from €29.99 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
A compact option for travellers who want the main natural sights of Sal without giving up a whole day. The tour lasts about four hours and is listed as all-inclusive.
from €45 per person
Check availabilityvia GetYourGuide
Cross Boa Vista on a cobbled track to a nature reserve with a beach and a huge old baobab, then visit a lighthouse and colourful villages. Drive of about 1 hour each way, with photo stops; minimum 3 people.
from €40 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
A coastal walk between volcanic rock and ocean, with a village viewpoint at Fontainhas and a picnic at Praia das Aranhas. Swimming there depends on sea conditions.
from €78 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
Minibus day trip with hotel pickup at 9:00, suited to those wanting an easy overview of Sal. Stops include Terra Boa, a viewpoint, Espargos with a free hour for lunch, and a float in the Pedra de Lume salt pools.
from €30 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
Guided visit combining Cabo Verde's capital with Cidade Velha, the first European-built town in the tropics. A good fit for a short stay on Santiago and an introduction to the island's history.
from €49 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
Guided ride on electric beach bikes through the south of Sal, suited to those wanting to see more without tiring pedalling. Stops include salt flats, white beaches and Santa Maria, with time for a swim.
from €30 per person
Check availabilityvia Viator
Prices are indicative and may change. The final price is shown by the booking platform. Prices checked: October 22, 2026.
