Cape Verde in October: ✅ a good month, especially for the sea. The rainy season is ending (16 mm (0.6 in) on average in Sal, about one rainy day), the water is among the warmest of the year (26 to 27 °C (79 to 81 °F) depending on the island) and the hills of Santo Antão and Santiago are green. Reservation: the heat stays humid (29 to 31 °C (84 to 88 °F) in the afternoon) and a stormy shower remains possible, especially in Santiago early in the month.
October is the transition between the short rainy season (August to October) and the dry season. It is the month to enjoy the warmest sea with a wind that is still moderate, before the strong trade winds return in December. The figures below, island by island, complement our page on when to go to Cape Verde; to plan your stay, see our Cape Verde travel guide.
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Cape Verde in October: key facts
- Sal: 29.6 °C (85 °F) in the afternoon, 24.1 °C (75 °F) at night, 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, about 1 rainy day
- Praia (Santiago): 31 °C (88 °F), 27 mm (1.1 in), the wettest and warmest of the three stations
- Sea: 26 °C (79 °F) in Sal and Mindelo, 27 °C (81 °F) in Praia according to the DWD
- Wind: weaker than in winter, calmer swimming on exposed beaches
- Nature: valleys turned green after the rains; end of the turtle nesting season
- Health: the UK FCDO lists dengue among the health risks in Cape Verde; use mosquito repellent
Weather in Cape Verde in October: island by island
| Station | Max | Min | Rain | Rain days | Sea | Sunshine (h/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sal (Amílcar Cabral airport) | 29.6 °C (85 °F) | 24.1 °C (75 °F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 1.1 | 26 °C (79 °F) | 6.4 |
| Praia, Santiago (airport) | 31.0 °C (88 °F) | 23.9 °C (75 °F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 1.8 | 27 °C (81 °F) | 7.9 |
| Mindelo, São Vicente | 29.1 °C (84 °F) | 25.1 °C (77 °F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 2.0 | 26 °C (79 °F) | 7.7 |
In October, rainfall falls back sharply from September (35 mm (1.4 in) in Sal and 75 mm (3.0 in) in Praia according to our parent page). It comes as a few showers or storms, sometimes violent, separated by long sunny spells: there are on average one to two rainy days in the month depending on the station. Santiago and the mountainous southern islands (Fogo, Brava) remain the most exposed. The air is hot and humid, and nights hardly fall below 24 °C (75 °F).
Destination de Voyage calculation based on the DWD: in October, the sea is at 26-27 °C (79-81 °F) in Cape Verde, compared with 23 °C (73 °F) off southern Tenerife, which is 3 to 4 °C (5 to 7 °F) more than at the Canary Islands at the same time of year. In Sal, it is also, with September, the warmest sea of the year.
On extreme weather, the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 28 July 2026) states that the rainy season runs from mid-August to mid-October and that torrential rain on some islands can cause flooding and landslides: monitor local weather reports.
Things to do in Cape Verde in October
- Beach and swimming in Sal (Santa Maria) and Boa Vista: warm sea and moderate wind, before the strong trade winds return.
- Turtles: the loggerhead nesting season runs from about July to October in Sal, Boa Vista and Maio; October is the end of the season. Join outings only with licensed guides.
- Hiking on Santo Antão: valleys green after the rains; some trails may have suffered from the storms, so ask locally.
- Diving: our parent page recommends June to November, when the water is warmer and the sea calmer.
- Mindelo: music, morna, and the base for the ferry to Santo Antão.
- Less suitable: kitesurfing, whose best season runs from December to April.
Which island to choose in October
| Island | Best for | In October |
|---|---|---|
| Sal | Beach, diving, simple stay | ✅ Warm sea, little rain, moderate wind |
| Boa Vista | Big beaches, turtles | ✅ End of nesting season, empty beaches |
| Santo Antão (via Mindelo) | Hiking | ✅ Green valleys; check trails after storms |
| Santiago | Praia, Cidade Velha, mountains | ⚠️ The wettest (27 mm (1.1 in)) and the warmest |
| Fogo | Climbing the volcano | ⚠️ More unsettled weather on the slopes at the end of the rainy season |
Getting there and time difference
Most travellers arrive at Amílcar Cabral airport in Sal; if you travel during the autumn school holidays, book early. Cape Verde is on UTC−1 all year, with no daylight saving. Compared with London, it is 2 hours behind while the UK is on British Summer Time, then 1 hour behind after UK clocks go back on 31 October 2027. Compared with New York, it is 3 hours ahead throughout October, as US clocks stay on daylight time until 7 November 2027.
What to pack for Cape Verde in October
- Light, breathable clothes for the humid heat
- A light rain jacket, especially for Santiago, Fogo and Santo Antão
- Walking shoes with good grip for wet trails
- Mosquito repellent: the UK FCDO lists dengue among the health risks and notes that the Cape Verde government has raised the dengue warning level on Santiago, Fogo and Brava
- Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses: the sun is still strong
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 also notes that altitude sickness is a risk on Fogo.
If October does not suit you
November offers the same comfort with even less rain: see Cape Verde in November. For kitesurfing and cooler air, aim for winter, for example Cape Verde in February. Other ideas for October: Cyprus in October, Malta in October or the Canary Islands. All our selections: where to go in October.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Cape Verde in October?
Hot and fairly dry: 29.6 °C (85 °F) in the afternoon and 24 °C (75 °F) at night in Sal, 31 °C (88 °F) in Praia, with 15 to 27 mm (0.6 to 1.1 in) of rain depending on the island (WMO 1991-2020 normals), over one or two rainy days on average.
Does it rain a lot in Cape Verde in October?
No: it is the end of the rainy season. About 16 mm (0.6 in) fall in Sal and 27 mm (1.1 in) in Praia, often in a few stormy showers.
What is the water temperature in October?
About 26 °C (79 °F) in Sal and Mindelo and 27 °C (81 °F) in Praia according to the Deutscher Wetterdienst: it is one of the warmest seas of the year.
Can you see turtles in October?
It is the end of the nesting season, which runs from about July to October in Sal, Boa Vista and Maio. Use licensed guides.
Is October a good month for kitesurfing?
It is not the best: the trade winds are strongest from December to April. In October, the wind is weaker.
Which island should you choose in October?
Sal or Boa Vista for the beach, Santo Antão for hiking in green valleys. Santiago is the wettest 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
- 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
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.