Cape Verde in March: ✅ a very good month for sunshine, hiking and kitesurfing. It hardly rains (less than 1 mm (0.04 in) on average), it is 24 to 28 °C (75 to 82 °F) in the afternoon depending on the island and the trade winds still blow strongly. Reservations: the water is among the coolest of the year (about 22 °C (72 °F)), the wind can be a nuisance on exposed beaches and the dry haze from the Sahara can veil the sky on some days.
March is in the middle of the dry season. It is one of the most stable months of the year: little change from day to day, nights around 19-20 °C (66-68 °F), a steady north-east wind. What changes from one island to another is the type of stay: wind and beach in Sal and Boa Vista, trails on Santo Antão and Fogo, town and culture in Mindelo and Praia. To compare with other months, see our page on when to go to Cape Verde.
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Cape Verde in March: key facts
- Sal: 25.2 °C (77 °F) in the afternoon, 18.9 °C (66 °F) at night, 0.5 mm (0.02 in) of rain
- Praia (Santiago): 27.8 °C (82 °F), the warmest; Mindelo: 24.4 °C (76 °F)
- Sea: about 22 °C (72 °F) at all three stations (DWD), one of the coolest of the year
- Wind: steady trade winds, peak kitesurfing and windsurfing season (December to April)
- Sky: dry haze possible from December to March
Weather in Cape Verde in March: island by island
| Station | Max | Min | Rain | Rain days | Sea | Sunshine (h/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sal (Amílcar Cabral airport) | 25.2 °C (77 °F) | 18.9 °C (66 °F) | 0.5 mm (0.02 in) | 0.1 | 22 °C (72 °F) | 6.5 |
| Praia, Santiago (airport) | 27.8 °C (82 °F) | 19.8 °C (68 °F) | 0.1 mm (0.00 in) | 0.0 | 22 °C (72 °F) | 9.0 |
| Mindelo, São Vicente | 24.4 °C (76 °F) | 20.2 °C (68 °F) | 0.4 mm (0.02 in) | 0.0 | 22 °C (72 °F) | 8.9 |
Differences between the islands remain small: Praia, on Santiago, is the warmest (close to 28 °C (82 °F)), Mindelo the mildest. Rain is almost absent everywhere, with on average less than one rainy day in the month. The sun is more generous in Praia and Mindelo (about 9 hours a day according to the DWD) than in Sal (6.5 hours), where the dry haze and low clouds pushed by the trade wind are more frequent. 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.
Destination de Voyage calculation based on the DWD: in March, the sea is at about 22 °C (72 °F) in Cape Verde, compared with 18 °C (64 °F) off southern Tenerife. The gap with the Canary Islands is therefore 4 °C (7 °F), the largest of the year, as in January and February. The air, for its part, is only about 1.5 °C (3 °F) warmer in Sal (25.2 °C (77 °F) against 23.6 °C (74 °F) in southern Tenerife according to the AEMET 1991-2020 WMO normals).
Trade winds, dry haze and sea: what to know
The cool, constant north-east trade winds dominate the dry season; they blow hardest from December to April. They make the heat very bearable but hide the strength of the sun: protect yourself even when the air feels cool. On the exposed beaches of Sal and Boa Vista, they can lift the sand and make swimming choppy; sheltered beaches are then more pleasant. The dry haze (bruma seca), linked to the harmattan, can veil the sky and reduce visibility for several days, mostly from December to March; the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 28 July 2026) notes that sandstorms can happen between December and February and, when intense, can disrupt air travel, especially on Boa Vista. Finally, water at around 22 °C (72 °F) suits many swimmers, but it feels cool in the wind: a thin wetsuit is useful for kitesurfing and diving.
Things to do in Cape Verde in March
- Kitesurfing and windsurfing in Sal (Kite Beach, Ponta Preta) and Boa Vista: peak season.
- Hiking on Santo Antão: our parent page lists March among the best months for walking in the Paul and Ribeira Grande valleys.
- Climbing Pico do Fogo, which rises to about 2,830 m (9,285 ft): the November to June period suits it, and the UK FCDO notes that altitude sickness is a risk on Fogo.
- Humpback whales: our guide mentions whale watching in spring in Boa Vista, on guided trips.
- Mindelo and Praia: music, market, and Cidade Velha (UNESCO) near Praia.
- Beach: near-certain sunshine in Sal and Boa Vista; choose beaches sheltered from the wind for sunbathing.
Carnival: February or March?
The Mindelo carnival, the best known in the archipelago, takes place before Lent, so in February or March depending on the date of Easter. In 2027, Easter falls on 28 March and Shrove Tuesday on 9 February: the carnival will therefore take place in February that year. Check the programme with the organisers or the tourist office before booking.
Which island to choose in March
| Island | Best for | In March |
|---|---|---|
| Sal | Kitesurfing, beach, simple stay | ✅ Steady wind, sun; water at 22 °C (72 °F) |
| Boa Vista | Big beaches, dunes, whales | ✅ Empty beaches; scattered resorts |
| Santo Antão (via Mindelo) | Hiking | ✅ Mild temperatures, dry trails |
| Fogo | Climbing the volcano | ✅ Favourable period; cool nights at altitude |
| Santiago | Praia, Cidade Velha, mountains | ✅ The warmest, very dry |
Getting there and time difference
Most travellers arrive at Amílcar Cabral airport in Sal; if you travel during school holiday periods, book early. Cape Verde is on UTC−1 all year, with no daylight saving. Compared with London, it is 1 hour behind until UK clocks go forward on 28 March 2027, then 2 hours behind. Compared with New York, it is 4 hours ahead until US clocks go forward on 14 March 2027, then 3 hours ahead.
What to pack for Cape Verde in March
- 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
Entry requirements and safety
For visa-free stays, passport validity and pre-arrival registration, see our guide to the entry requirements for Cape Verde. On safety, the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 28 July 2026) says that tides and currents around the islands are very strong and advises using beaches with a lifeguard on duty and respecting the warning flags; it describes the crime rate as generally low but includes pickpocketing, bag snatching and muggings, particularly in Praia and on Sal and Boa Vista.
If March does not suit you
April carries on the same conditions: see Cape Verde in April. For warmer water and less wind, May-June or October-November suit better, for example Cape Verde in November. Other ideas for March: Madeira, the Canary Islands or Egypt. All our selections: where to go in March.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Cape Verde in March?
Dry, sunny and windy: 25.2 °C (77 °F) in the afternoon and 18.9 °C (66 °F) at night in Sal, 27.8 °C (82 °F) in Praia, 24.4 °C (76 °F) in Mindelo, with less than 1 mm (0.04 in) of rain (WMO 1991-2020 normals).
Can you swim in Cape Verde in March?
Yes, but the water is around 22 °C (72 °F) according to the Deutscher Wetterdienst, one of the coolest of the year, and the wind makes it feel cooler still. Prefer sheltered beaches.
Is March a good month for kitesurfing?
Yes: the trade winds are strongest from December to April, in Sal and Boa Vista.
Is it windy in Cape Verde in March?
Yes, the north-east trade winds blow steadily. That is an asset for wind sports and against the heat, less so for sunbathing on exposed beaches.
Does the Mindelo carnival take place in March?
Only in some years: it is held before Lent, in February or March. In 2027 it will take place in February (Shrove Tuesday on 9 February).
Which island should you choose in March?
Sal or Boa Vista for wind and beach, Santo Antão for hiking, Fogo for the volcano, Santiago for Praia and Cidade Velha. All are dry at this time of year.
Our sources
- World Meteorological Organization, 1991-2020 climate normals (NOAA archive): stations of Sal (Amílcar Cabral airport), Praia (Nelson Mandela airport) and Mindelo
- Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), climate tables (Klimatafeln) for Sal, Praia, Mindelo and Tenerife South: sea temperature and sunshine, read on 23 October 2026; AEMET, WMO 1991-2020 normals for Tenerife South airport (NOAA archive)
- 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
- Calendars and advice from our page on when to go to Cape Verde and our Cape Verde guide
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.