Cape Verde weather in March is sunny, dry and breezy: Sal averages about 24 °C by day and 20 °C at night, and the sea, at about 22 °C, is the coolest of the year. In return March brings the first humpback whales off Boa Vista and some of the most reliable wind for kitesurfing. Here is what that means for each island; for the whole year see the weather in Cape Verde all year round.
| 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 March is about 24 °C and the low about 20 °C, and the rainfall average is zero. Boa Vista is just as dry. With the trade wind blowing most days, the beach feels pleasant rather than hot, and a windbreak or a sheltered sunbed makes a difference. Our Sal weather page covers the island's microclimate in more detail.
On Santiago, Fogo and Santo Antão March is the heart of the dry season. The hillsides are brown and dusty, the paths are firm and walking temperatures are comfortable, though the crater of Fogo and the high ridges of Santo Antão are cold at dawn. Episodes of Saharan haze, the bruma seca, become less frequent towards the end of the month but can still flatten the views.
Around Sal the sea averages about 22 °C in March, the lowest of the year. Most swimmers find it fine after the first plunge, but children may be happier with a shorty wetsuit for snorkelling. The trade winds stay strong, and in 2025 the GKA Kite-Surf World Cup was held at Ponta Preta on Sal in mid-March. The calm, shallow bay at Santa Maria remains the best place for a swim; the north and east coasts take the wind and swell. See our guide to the beaches.
March opens the humpback whale season. The waters around Boa Vista are one of the few breeding areas for humpbacks in the North Atlantic, and sightings are most often reported from about March to May, with March and April the most reliable months. The population is small, so a sighting is likely but not guaranteed; choose a boat that keeps its distance and does not chase the animals. Trips run mainly from Sal Rei on Boa Vista; see whale watching and the other tours.
Carnival occasionally falls in March: in 2025 the big parade in Mindelo was on 4 March, but in 2027 it is in February. It is also a fine month for hiking on Santo Antão before the heat builds.
Early and mid-March are usually calmer and cheaper than February half-term. Easter is the next peak: in 2027 Good Friday falls on 26 March, so the end of the month and the start of April will be busy with British and other European school holidays. If your dates are flexible, compare the best time to visit; April follows a similar pattern.
On Sal the average high is about 24 °C and the low about 20 °C. The sea is around 22 °C, the coolest of the year.
Yes, March is the start of the humpback whale season around Boa Vista, which runs roughly to May. March and April are usually the best months, but sightings are never guaranteed.
The weather is very similar, dry and breezy at about 24-25 °C, and the sea is a degree warmer in April. March tends to be cheaper unless Easter falls in it, as in 2027.
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 good fit for travellers hoping to see whales from the water without a long day out. The outing lasts about three hours; the season for sightings is limited, so check the months before booking.
from €80 per person
Check availabilityvia GetYourGuide
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
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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
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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
Prices are indicative and may change. The final price is shown by the booking platform. Prices checked: October 22, 2026.
