Cape Verde in April is the heart of the dry season: about 25 °C (77 °F) in the afternoon in Sal, 28 °C (82 °F) in Praia, almost no rain and trade winds that are still strong. Verdict: ✅ a good month for sunshine, kitesurfing and hiking, with one reservation about swimming: the sea is still among the coolest of the year. To compare months, see our page on when to go to Cape Verde.
April carries on the winter conditions: clear skies, heat tempered by the wind and sometimes cool evenings. The difference between islands comes mostly from the terrain and the type of trip, not from rain, which is almost absent everywhere at this time of year.
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Cape Verde in April: key facts
- Sal: 25.5 °C (78 °F) in the afternoon, 19.6 °C (67 °F) at night, 1 mm (0.04 in) of rain
- Praia (Santiago): 28.1 °C (83 °F), 0 mm (0.0 in); Mindelo: 24.9 °C (77 °F), 0.4 mm (0.02 in)
- Wind: trade winds still strong, good for kitesurfing and windsurfing
- Sea: swimming is possible, but the water is among the coolest of the year
- Crowds: moderate, busier over the Easter holidays
Weather in Cape Verde in April: island by island
| Station | Max | Min | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sal (Amílcar Cabral airport) | 25.5 °C (78 °F) | 19.6 °C (67 °F) | 1 mm (0.04 in) |
| Praia, Santiago (airport) | 28.1 °C (83 °F) | – | 0 mm (0.0 in) |
| Mindelo, São Vicente | 24.9 °C (77 °F) | – | 0.4 mm (0.02 in) |
The dry haze linked to the harmattan, frequent from December to March, becomes rarer in April but does not disappear completely. The wind makes the heat very bearable but hides the strength of the sun: protect yourself even when the air feels cool.
Differences between the islands remain small in April: Praia, on Santiago, is the warmest of the three stations (about 28 °C (82 °F) in the afternoon) and Mindelo the mildest (under 25 °C (77 °F)). On the high ground of Santo Antão and Fogo it is cooler than by the sea, and the north-east of Santo Antão is often under cloud and wetter than the south. Nights on the coast remain pleasant, around 20 °C (68 °F) in Sal.
Things to do in Cape Verde in April
- Kitesurfing and windsurfing in Sal (Kite Beach, Ponta Preta) and Boa Vista: April is still part of the best wind season.
- Hiking on Santo Antão: terraced valleys and ridges, in mild temperatures.
- Climbing Pico do Fogo: the November to June period suits it; set off early and expect heat in the caldera.
- Beaches in Sal and Boa Vista: near-certain sunshine; choose beaches sheltered from the wind for sunbathing.
- Mindelo: a musical and cultural town, and the base for the ferry to Santo Antão.
Can you swim in Cape Verde in April?
Yes, but the water is then among the coolest of the year (it warms up from May-June and is warmest in late summer). Wind and currents matter as much as temperature: tides and currents around the islands are very strong: use beaches with a lifeguard on duty and respect the warning flags (UK FCDO, GOV.UK, updated 28 July 2026). For calmer, warmer swimming, May-June or October-November suit better. Our page on Cape Verde in May covers the following month.
Crowds and prices in April
April is a month of moderate crowds. Easter and spring holiday periods fill the few flights and the hotels of Sal and Boa Vista: book 3 to 5 months ahead for these dates. Outside the holidays, 1 to 2 months is usually enough. Most travellers arrive at Amílcar Cabral airport in Sal.
What to pack for Cape Verde in April
- Light clothes and a sweater for windy evenings.
- A windbreaker, especially in Sal and Boa Vista.
- Walking shoes and a warm layer for Santo Antão and Fogo.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat that stays on in the wind.
- Possibly a thin wetsuit for kitesurfing or diving.
For visa-free stays, passport validity and pre-arrival registration, see our guide to the entry requirements for Cape Verde.
Combining several islands in April
April, dry everywhere, suits a trip across two or three islands. A few pointers to organise it:
- Sal or Boa Vista + Santo Antão: beach and wind on one side, hiking on the other; you reach Santo Antão by ferry from Mindelo.
- Santiago + Fogo: Praia, Cidade Velha and the interior of Santiago, then the Fogo volcano.
- Book domestic flights at the same time as international flights: they are practical but infrequent and prone to schedule changes (see our guide to Cape Verde).
- Check ferry timetables, which are often irregular, and keep a spare day before your flight home.
- Allow 10 to 14 days for two or three islands without rushing.
Good to know on the ground
- Carry some escudos for shared taxis (aluguers), markets and small shops; cards are accepted in hotels and larger restaurants (see our Cape Verde guide).
- Time difference: Cape Verde is on UTC−1 all year, with no daylight saving. In April it is 2 hours behind London (UK clocks go forward on 28 March 2027) and 3 hours ahead of New York (US clocks go forward on 14 March 2027).
- The wind hides the feeling of heat: sunscreen is essential, even in cool weather.
- Tides and currents around the islands are very strong: use beaches with a lifeguard on duty and respect the warning flags (UK FCDO, GOV.UK, updated 28 July 2026).
- Between islands, keep some margin: domestic flights and ferries can change schedule.
If April does not suit you
May and June bring the same fine weather with less wind, warming water and lower prices. In winter, see Cape Verde in February, the coolest and one of the windiest months, or Cape Verde in December.
Other destinations in April: the Canary Islands, Madeira or Egypt in April for more heat. All our ideas: where to go in April. To plan your stay: our Cape Verde travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Cape Verde in April?
Dry, sunny and windy: about 25.5 °C (78 °F) in the afternoon and 19.6 °C (67 °F) at night in Sal, 28 °C (82 °F) in Praia, with less than 1 mm (0.04 in) of rain on average according to the 1991-2020 normals.
Is it warm enough to swim in Cape Verde in April?
The air is pleasant, but the water is among the coolest of the year. Swimming is still possible; for a warmer sea, aim for late summer and autumn.
Is April a good month for kitesurfing in Cape Verde?
Yes: the best wind period runs from December to April, in Sal and Boa Vista.
Which island should you choose in April?
Sal or Boa Vista for the beach and wind, Santo Antão for hiking, Fogo for the volcano, Santiago for Praia and Cidade Velha. All are dry at this time of year.
Does it rain in Cape Verde in April?
Almost never: 1 mm (0.04 in) on average in Sal, 0 mm (0.0 in) in Praia and 0.4 mm (0.02 in) in Mindelo. The rainy season runs from August to October.
Our sources
- World Meteorological Organization, 1991-2020 climate normals (NOAA archive): stations of Sal (Amílcar Cabral airport), Praia (Nelson Mandela airport) and Mindelo (data published on our page on when to go to Cape Verde)
- UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Cape Verde (GOV.UK, updated 28 July 2026, read on 11 November 2026)
- Clock-change rules: GOV.UK, When do the clocks change and NIST, Daylight Saving Time; Cape Verde time zone (UTC−1, no daylight saving time): IANA time zone database, read on 11 November 2026
- Data taken from our page on when to go to Cape Verde
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.