Cape Verde weather in February is the mildest of the year on the beach islands: Sal averages about 24 °C by day and 20 °C at night, with the sea at around 23 °C. It is windy, mostly dry and, in many years, Carnival month in Mindelo. Below is what to expect on each type of island, plus the half-term rush; the year-round overview is in Cape Verde weather and climate.
| 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 |
February shares with March the lowest average high on Sal, about 24 °C, with nights around 20 °C. The rainfall average is about 10 mm, which in practice means the odd short shower rather than rainy days; most of the month is sunny. Boa Vista is much the same; see Boa Vista weather. In the constant breeze it rarely feels hot, so a light jacket for evenings is worth packing, and the sun still burns quickly.
On Santiago, Fogo, Santo Antão and São Nicolau the dry season continues, with cool mornings and chilly nights in the heights. Haze from Saharan dust, the bruma seca, is still possible and can blur the views from Fogo's crater or the ridges above Paul on Santo Antão; if a clear summit is the point of your trip, keep a spare day.
At about 23 °C the sea is refreshing rather than warm, comparable to the Mediterranean in early summer. The trade winds are at their strongest from about December to May, and February is prime time for kitesurfing and windsurfing on Sal. The GKA Kite-Surf World Cup has opened the world tour season at Ponta Preta in February or March in recent years, a sign of how reliable the wind and waves are. Beginners do better at the flatter water of Kite Beach, and swimmers in the sheltered bay of Santa Maria; see our beach guide.
Carnival in Mindelo on São Vicente is the biggest in the country. The official groups compete in a night-time parade on Carnival Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, after weeks of preparations and smaller parades. Because it follows Easter, the date moves: it was 17 February in 2026 and is 9 February in 2027, while in 2025 it fell on 4 March. São Nicolau's carnival in Ribeira Brava is smaller but well regarded. Book flights and rooms in Mindelo early for that week. Our Mindelo Carnival guide covers the parades, the groups and how to plan the trip.
Away from the parades, February is a good month for boat trips, Shark Bay on Sal, quad trips on Boa Vista and hiking. Turtles do not nest at this time of year. Browse the tours for ideas.
The UK February half-term, usually in the middle of the month, is one of the busiest weeks of the winter, and package prices to Sal and Boa Vista rise accordingly. Outside that week February is popular with winter-sun travellers but rarely crowded beyond Santa Maria's beachfront. Compare the months in the best time to visit Cape Verde and the next step in March.
On Sal the average high is about 24 °C and the average low about 20 °C, with the sea at around 23 °C. The mountains of Santiago, Fogo and Santo Antão are cooler, especially at night.
Yes, although the sea around Sal is among the coolest of the year at about 23 °C, which most people find refreshing rather than cold. A shorty wetsuit helps on long snorkelling trips, and the sheltered bay of Santa Maria is the calmest place to swim.
The main parade is on Carnival Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, so the date follows Easter. It is 9 February in 2027.
Yes for dry, sunny weather, wind sports and Carnival, but the sea is among the coolest of the year and the half-term week is expensive. Sunbathers who dislike wind may prefer October or November.
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.
