Cape Verde in November is one of the best of the year: the dry season returns, it is about 28 °C (83 °F) in the afternoon and 22.5 °C (73 °F) at night in Sal, with barely 1 mm (0.04 in) of rain on average, and the sea still holds the warmth of summer. Verdict: ✅ ideal, with a single reservation, the rise in demand during the autumn school holidays at the very start of the month.
The showers of the short rainy season (August to October) are over, the trade winds have not yet reached their winter strength and prices stay moderate before the festive season. This page covers the month of November; to compare with the rest of the year, see our page on when to go to Cape Verde.
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Cape Verde in November: key facts
- Verdict: ✅ excellent month, warm, dry and still not very windy
- Sal: 28.1 °C (83 °F) in the afternoon, 22.5 °C (73 °F) at night, 1 mm (0.04 in) of rain
- Praia (Santiago): 29.8 °C (86 °F), 4 mm (0.2 in); Mindelo (São Vicente): 27.5 °C (82 °F), 6 mm (0.2 in)
- Sea: still warm after the summer, much more pleasant than in February-April
- Crowds and prices: moderate, rising during the autumn school holidays
- Time difference: in November, 1 hour behind London (GMT); 3 hours ahead of New York until US clocks go back on 7 November 2027, then 4 hours ahead
Weather in Cape Verde in November
November marks the return of the dry season across the archipelago. Differences between the islands are small: Santiago, in the south, remains the warmest; São Vicente is a little milder. The table gives the 1991-2020 normals for the three main stations, already published on our when-to-go page. The previous month, at the end of the rainy season, is covered on our page weather in Cape Verde in October.
| Station | Max | Min | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sal (Amílcar Cabral airport) | 28.1 °C (83 °F) | 22.5 °C (73 °F) | 1 mm (0.04 in) |
| Praia (Santiago) | 29.8 °C (86 °F) | – | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Mindelo (São Vicente) | 27.5 °C (82 °F) | – | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
The comparison with neighbouring months shows why November is a turning point. In October, 16 mm (0.6 in) still fall in Sal and 27 mm (1.1 in) in Praia, as showers or storms. In December, the heat drops by about two degrees (26.1 °C (79 °F) in Sal) and the wind strengthens. November therefore combines autumn warmth with winter dryness.
Sea, wind and sky
The water is warmest in late summer and early autumn: in November it still holds the heat accumulated since August, whereas it becomes clearly cooler from January to April. The north-east trade winds pick up gradually, without the strength of December to April: the beaches of Sal and Boa Vista are therefore more pleasant for sunbathing than in midwinter. The dry haze from the Sahara (bruma seca) mostly concerns the December to March period.
Which island to choose in November
- Sal and Boa Vista: beach and relaxing, with water still warm and a moderate wind. November is one of the best windows for calm swimming, along with May-June.
- Santiago (Praia, Cidade Velha): the warmest of the large islands (close to 30 °C (86 °F)). The interior hills are still green after the rains.
- Santo Antão: the terraced valleys are greener at the end of the rainy season. Some trails may have suffered from autumn storms: ask locally before setting off.
- Fogo: start of the good period for climbing Pico do Fogo (November to June), early in the morning. Nights are cool in the caldera.
Things to do in Cape Verde in November
Beach, swimming and snorkelling
This is the month’s great asset. Warm water and a sea that is generally calmer than in winter suit swimming, snorkelling and diving, whose best period runs from June to November according to our calendar. 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).
Hiking on Santo Antão and Fogo
Temperatures become comfortable again for walking, and the landscapes still benefit from the autumn rains. Santo Antão is reached by ferry from Mindelo; Fogo by domestic flight or boat depending on the timetable, which is often irregular. Allow margins between two islands.
Music and local life in Mindelo
November has no major national festival, but Mindelo remains the cultural and musical town of the archipelago all year. The carnival, the best known in the country, takes place in February or March.
What to avoid in November
- Counting on turtles: the nesting season ends around October
- Booking late for the autumn school holidays: flight availability is limited
- Planning kitesurfing as your main activity: the strongest trade winds blow mostly from December to April
Crowds and prices in November
According to our calendar, crowds and prices are moderate in November. The autumn school holidays push demand up at the very start of the month; the second half is generally quieter, before the sharp rise of the festive season. Outside school-holiday periods, booking flights and accommodation 1 to 2 months ahead is usually enough; during the holidays, allow 3 to 5 months. Most travellers arrive at Amílcar Cabral airport in Sal.
What to pack for Cape Verde in November
- Light summer clothes and swimwear
- A light sweater for the evening, especially on a terrace facing the wind
- Walking shoes and a warm jacket for Fogo or the high ground of Santo Antão
- Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses: the wind hides the feeling of heat
- Mosquito repellent, useful after the rainy season: the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 28 July 2026) lists dengue among the health risks in Cape Verde
Before you go
For visa-free stays, passport validity and pre-arrival registration, see our guide to the entry requirements for Cape Verde. In November, the time difference is 1 hour behind London (GMT, once UK clocks go back on 31 October 2027). Compared with New York, Cape Verde is 3 hours ahead until US clocks go back on 7 November 2027, then 4 hours ahead. Cape Verde itself stays on UTC−1 all year.
If November does not suit you
Neighbouring months: October offers an even warmer sea and very green hills, with a few showers (16 mm (0.6 in) in Sal). Cape Verde in December is dry and a little cooler, with very high prices over the festive season. Cape Verde in February is the coolest and windiest month, ideal for kitesurfing, and Cape Verde in April stays dry, with cooler water.
Other destinations in November: compare with Tenerife in November or the Canary Islands in November; for more heat further afield, see Thailand in November. All our ideas are on the page where to go in November. To plan the rest of your stay, read our Cape Verde travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Cape Verde in November?
Warm and dry: about 28 °C (83 °F) in the afternoon and 22.5 °C (73 °F) at night in Sal, with 1 mm (0.04 in) of rain on average according to the 1991-2020 normals. Praia, on Santiago, is a little warmer (close to 30 °C (86 °F)).
Can you swim in Cape Verde in November?
Yes, it is one of the best months: the water keeps the warmth of summer and the wind is more moderate than in winter. Tides and currents around the islands are very strong, so use lifeguarded beaches and follow the warning flags (UK FCDO, GOV.UK, updated 28 July 2026).
Does it rain in Cape Verde in November?
Very little: 1 mm (0.04 in) on average in Sal, 4 mm (0.2 in) in Praia and 6 mm (0.2 in) in Mindelo. The rainy season, from August to October, is over.
Which Cape Verde island should you choose in November?
Sal or Boa Vista for the beach, Santiago for warmth and heritage, Santo Antão for hiking in still-green valleys, Fogo for climbing the volcano.
Is Cape Verde expensive in November?
Prices are moderate, higher during the autumn school holidays. The second half of the month is often the best value, before the sharp rise of the festive season.
November or December for Cape Verde?
November is warmer (28 °C (83 °F) against 26 °C (79 °F) in Sal), less windy and cheaper. December suits kitesurfing better, with stronger trade winds, but prices soar over the festive season.
Our sources
- World Meteorological Organization, 1991-2020 climate normals (NOAA archive): stations of Sal (Amílcar Cabral airport), Praia (Nelson Mandela airport) and Mindelo
- 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.