Cape Verde weather in May is reliably dry and warm: Sal averages about 25 °C by day and 21 °C at night, and the sea is around 24 °C. It is the last month of the strong trade winds, the end of the whale season and one of the quieter, cheaper months of the year. Here is how it plays out across the islands; the overview is in Cape Verde weather month by month.
| 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 May is about 25 °C, the low about 21 °C and the rainfall average zero. Nights are a touch warmer than in spring, and in the second half of the month the wind tends to ease, so beach afternoons start to feel hotter. Boa Vista is the same, with a little more shelter in the bays around Sal Rei. The Sal weather guide has the year-round pattern.
Santiago, Fogo, São Nicolau and Santo Antão are at the very end of their long dry season: the land is at its brownest, and water is scarce in the villages, so use it sparingly. The winter haze is largely over, which makes May a good month for clear views on the walks of Santo Antão and from the crater of Fogo, though the midday sun on exposed trails is fierce.
The sea around Sal averages about 24 °C, comfortable for long swims and snorkelling. May closes the main trade-wind season that runs roughly from December to May; kitesurfers still find good days on Sal and Boa Vista, while calmer spells open up more of the west-facing beaches. Check conditions in our beach guide before choosing a bay.
May is the last month of the whale season off Boa Vista; sightings become less frequent as it goes on, so go early in the month if whales are the priority. Late May is also when loggerhead turtles start returning to the beaches ahead of the summer nesting season, though licensed night walks usually begin later. See whale watching and the other tours.
Two festivals fall around this time. The Gamboa Festival, a big music festival on the beach of Gamboa in Praia, is normally held over a weekend in mid-May (16 and 17 May in 2025), but in 2026 it was moved to late June because of the election calendar, so check the date before you plan around it. On Fogo, São Filipe celebrates its municipal day and Festa da Bandeira from the end of April to 1 May, with concerts and traditional festivities; see ferries and flights between the islands for getting there.
Between Easter and the summer holidays, May is one of the best-value months, with quieter beaches and lower package prices. The exception is the UK half-term at the end of the month. Compare the year in the best time to visit.
On Sal the average high is about 25 °C and the low about 21 °C. The sea is around 24 °C.
Hardly ever. May is in the dry season on every island; the little rain Cape Verde gets falls mainly from August to October.
Yes, it combines dry weather, a 24 °C sea and lower prices than the winter or summer peaks. The wind eases towards the end of the month, which suits beachgoers more than kitesurfers.
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
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
Prices are indicative and may change. The final price is shown by the booking platform. Prices checked: October 22, 2026.
