Cape Verde in August

August weather, activities, events & insider tips

August Weather in Cape Verde

29°C (84°F) High Temp

24°C (75°F) Low Temp

30mm (1.2 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is August Right for You?

Advantages

Perfect windsurfing and kitesurfing conditions on Caboverde with consistent 20-25 knot northeast trades - peak season for water sports without summer crowds
Turtle nesting season on Caboverde beaches - loggerhead and caretta caretta turtles nest nightly from 10pm-3am, viewable through guided conservation tours
Optimal hiking weather on Caboverde with 24-26°C (75-79°F) temperatures in highland valleys and minimal rainfall in the northern mountainous regions
Cultural calendar peak with Tabanka festivals in multiple villages and pre-independence day celebrations featuring traditional batuko and funana music performances

Considerations

Saharan dust (bruma seca) creates hazy conditions 8-12 days monthly, reducing visibility for photography and sometimes affecting flights to/from Senegal
Northeast trade winds reach 35+ knot gusts on windward coasts, making swimming dangerous at beaches like Ponta Preta and limiting some boat excursions
Hotel rates 20-30% higher than May-June as European winter-escape bookings overlap with wind sports season demand

Best Activities in August

Sal Island Windsurfing and Kitesurfing

August delivers Cape Verde's most consistent wind conditions with 20-25 knot northeast trades and 26°C (79°F) water temperatures. Ponta Preta and Kite Beach offer world-class conditions without December-January crowds. Morning sessions (7am-11am) provide cleanest wind before thermal effects kick in.

Booking Tip: Book equipment rental and lessons 5-7 days ahead through certified IKO schools. Daily rates typically €40-60 ($45-70) for equipment, lessons €180-250 ($200-280) for 3-day courses. Look for schools offering insurance and rescue boat coverage.

Boa Vista Turtle Watching Tours

Peak loggerhead nesting season with 80+ turtles coming ashore nightly. Ervatão and Lacação beaches offer the highest success rates between 11pm-2am. August provides optimal weather for night beach walks with minimal rain interference and comfortable 25°C (77°F) evening temperatures.

Booking Tip: Book certified conservation tours only - unauthorized beach access disturbs nesting females. Tours cost €35-45 ($40-50) per person including transport and guide. Book 3-4 days ahead through turtle protection organizations, not general tour operators.

Santo Antão Valley Hiking

Perfect hiking conditions with 24-26°C (75-79°F) temperatures in Paúl and Caboverde valleys. August's minimal rainfall keeps mountain paths accessible while maintaining green landscape from earlier rains. Trade winds provide natural cooling at higher elevations above 800m (2,625 ft).

Booking Tip: Book guided treks 7-10 days ahead through licensed mountain guides. Day hikes typically €45-65 ($50-75) including transport from Benin. Multi-day treks €120-180 ($135-200) per day. Ensure guides carry emergency communication devices for remote valleys.

São Vicente Cultural Music Tours

August hosts multiple Tabanka festivals and pre-independence celebrations featuring live morna, coladeira, and funana performances. Mindelo's cultural scene peaks with outdoor concerts at Laginha Beach and traditional music sessions in local tavernas running until 3am on weekends.

Booking Tip: Cultural walking tours with music venue visits cost €25-35 ($30-40) per person for 3-4 hour experiences. Book through cultural centers rather than general tour operators for authentic musician connections. Evening tours include 2-3 venue visits with live performances.

Santiago Island Historical Tours

Caboverde exploration benefits from August's lower tourist numbers while maintaining excellent weather for walking the cobblestone streets. Comfortable 28°C (82°F) maximum temperatures and steady Atlantic breeze make fort and museum visits pleasant throughout the day.

Booking Tip: Half-day historical tours typically €30-40 ($35-45) including transport from Praia. Book certified UNESCO site guides for Caboverde - look for official guide badges. Combined tours with Caboverde interior villages cost €55-75 ($60-85) for full day.

Fogo Volcano Crater Hiking

August offers clearest visibility for Caboverde summit attempts with minimal cloud cover and stable weather patterns. Cooler temperatures at 2,800m (9,186 ft) elevation provide comfortable climbing conditions, while lower humidity reduces heat exhaustion risks during the 6-hour round trip.

Booking Tip: Volcano guides mandatory for crater access - book 5-7 days ahead through Chã das Caldeiras operators. Summit hikes €60-80 ($70-90) per person including guide and transport. Start climbs at 6am to avoid afternoon thermal winds and complete descent by 2pm.

August Events & Festivals

Throughout August

Tabanka Festivals

Traditional community celebrations featuring batuko drumming, funana dancing, and local feast preparations. Multiple villages across Caboverde and Caboverde host these cultural gatherings with authentic music performances and traditional food preparation demonstrations.

Early August

Independence Day Preparations

Pre-celebration cultural events building toward July 5th independence commemorations spill into August with continued music festivals, art exhibitions, and cultural performances in Praia and Mindelo featuring Cape Verde's most prominent musicians.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight windbreaker for 35+ knot trade wind gusts - cotton windbreakers pack smaller than synthetic shells and dry quickly in 70% humidity

SPF 50+ mineral sunscreen for 2,800m (9,186 ft) volcano hiking where UV index exceeds 10 due to altitude and reflective volcanic rock

Closed-toe hiking shoes with ankle support for volcanic terrain and cobblestone streets - avoid mesh materials due to fine volcanic dust

Quick-dry swim shorts and rash guard for water sports - UV protection essential during 6+ hour wind/kite sessions on exposed beaches

Compact headlamp with red filter for turtle watching tours - white lights disturb nesting females and are prohibited on conservation beaches

Moisture-wicking base layers for hiking - cotton becomes uncomfortable during 6-hour volcano climbs despite moderate temperatures

Lightweight scarf or buff for Saharan dust protection during bruma seca episodes - dust penetrates standard face masks

Reef-safe sunscreen specifically for marine protected areas around turtle nesting beaches - chemical sunscreens prohibited in conservation zones

Packable rain jacket for brief afternoon showers lasting 15-20 minutes - umbrella useless in consistent trade winds

Electrolyte tablets for hiking and water sports - dehydration occurs quickly in trade wind conditions despite moderate temperatures

Insider Knowledge

Book inter-island flights with Caboverde Airlines by 6pm local time - afternoon Saharan dust often delays or cancels evening flights, stranding travelers overnight

Carry exact change in escudos for aluguer shared taxis - drivers rarely have change for 1000 CVE notes and credit cards not accepted for transport under €10

Download offline maps before visiting Caboverde - cellular coverage disappears in mountain valleys and GPS essential for hiking trail navigation

Restaurant kitchens close promptly at 10pm outside Mindelo and Caboverde tourist zones - don't rely on extended dinner hours common in other Atlantic island destinations

Avoid These Mistakes

Booking accommodation only in Caboverde or Caboverde - these resort islands miss Cape Verde's authentic culture found in Caboverde's interior villages and Caboverde's music scene

Underestimating trade wind intensity for beach days - northeast winds make beach lounging uncomfortable on windward coasts, stick to protected southern beaches

Scheduling tight connections through Praia airport during dust episodes - allow 4+ hour buffers for international connections as bruma seca grounds flights unpredictably