Cape Verde weather in September is the hottest and most humid of the year: Sal averages about 29 °C by day and 25 °C at night, the sea peaks at around 28 °C, and the rainy season reaches its height. Even so, most days on Sal and Boa Vista are sunny, and September is the main month for turtle hatchlings. Here is how it plays out; the 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 September is about 29 °C and the low about 25 °C, the warmest nights of the year. Average rainfall is about 35 mm, the highest of any month, but that is still very little: it usually comes in a few heavy showers or storms, with sunshine in between. Boa Vista has a similar climate, and if you are deciding between the two islands, the Sal weather guide explains what they share.
On Santiago, Fogo, Santo Antão, São Nicolau and Brava, September is usually the wettest month. The rains bring sudden downpours, swollen ribeiras (river beds that are dry most of the year) and occasional landslides on mountain roads; ask locally before hiking and avoid walking in a dry river bed when storms are forecast. The reward is a short green season: the terraces of Santiago and the valleys of Santo Antão turn green after the first good rains.
With the sea at about 28 °C, September and October have the warmest water of the year, and the light winds favour snorkelling, diving and calm boat trips over kitesurfing. September is also the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season. Direct hits are rare, but in 2015 Hurricane Fred passed over the islands at the end of August and start of September, damaging roofs on Boa Vista and Sal. Check the forecast before travel, carry insurance and allow for delays to ferries and inter-island flights; see island hopping.
Nests laid in early summer hatch after about two months, and September is usually the busiest month for hatchlings on Sal and Boa Vista, while the last females are still nesting. Projeto Biodiversidade's hatchery in Santa Maria holds public nest excavations rather than hatchling releases; on any beach, never handle hatchlings or use lights. See turtle watching and our tours for options.
On Sal, Santa Maria holds its beach music festival in mid-September: the 2025 edition took place on 12 and 13 September. Shark Bay and the salt flats of Pedra de Lume are other good outings when the sea is calm.
Once British and most other European schools go back in early September, demand falls and prices drop, making the second half of the month one of the best-value times for a beach holiday if you can live with humidity and the odd storm. See the best time to visit for comparisons.
Yes, the short rainy season runs roughly from August to October, and September is usually the wettest month. On Sal that still means only about 35 mm, falling in a few showers.
Tropical storms can form near the islands from August to October, and September is the peak of the Atlantic season. Direct hits are rare: Hurricane Fred in 2015 was the first hurricane to pass through the islands since 1892, according to the US National Hurricane Center.
Around 28 °C off Sal, the warmest of the year together with October.
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 nature outing on Sal for people interested in sea turtle nesting. It is a wildlife trip, so patience is needed, as sightings cannot be guaranteed. Observe quietly and from a respectful distance.
from €30 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
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 short outing from Santa Maria for travellers curious about sea turtles on Sal. It takes about three hours, so it fits easily into a day.
from €30 per person
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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
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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
Check availabilityvia Viator
Prices are indicative and may change. The final price is shown by the booking platform. Prices checked: October 22, 2026.
