Cape Verde in June

June weather, activities, events & insider tips

June Weather in Cape Verde

27°C (81°F) High Temp

21°C (70°F) Low Temp

0.0 mm (0.0 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is June Right for You?

Advantages

Peak windsurfing and kitesurfing season on Caboverde - trade winds reach 25-30 knots (46-56 km/h), creating world-class conditions at Ponta Preta and Caboverde Bay
Perfect hiking weather with minimal rain and comfortable temperatures 21-27°C (70-81°F) for Santo Antão's Cova to Paul trek and Caboverde volcano climb
Sea turtle nesting season begins on Boavista - loggerhead turtles start laying eggs on Ervatão and Santa Mónica beaches with guided night tours available
Grogue harvest season - traditional sugar cane spirit production in full swing on Caboverde and Santo Antão, with distillery tours and fresh batches available

Considerations

Harmattan winds can bring Saharan dust reducing visibility to 3-5 km (1.9-3.1 miles) and creating hazy conditions 3-4 days per week
Accommodation prices increase 20-30% as European winter escape season peaks, especially on Caboverde and Boavista resort areas
Strong trade winds make inter-island flights more turbulent and occasionally delayed - TACV domestic flights face 15-20% delay rates in June

Best Activities in June

Sal Island Windsurfing and Kitesurfing

June delivers Cape Verde's most consistent wind conditions with 25-30 knot trade winds and 2-3 meter swells. Caboverde Bay offers perfect learning conditions while Ponta Preta provides world-class wave sailing. Water temperature stays at 24°C (75°F) requiring only shorty wetsuits. Wind blows cross-shore from 10am-6pm daily with 95% reliability.

Booking Tip: Reserve equipment 2-3 weeks ahead during peak season. Full day packages typically cost €40-60 including board, sail and wetsuit. Look for IKO certified schools with rescue boat support. Book morning slots before 11am for calmer learning conditions.

Santo Antão Mountain Trekking

Dry season creates perfect hiking conditions with clear mountain views and minimal mud on trails. The famous Cova to Paul valley trek showcases dramatic 1000m (3,280 ft) elevation changes through tropical microclimates. Morning temperatures of 15°C (59°F) in highlands warm to 25°C (77°F) in valleys. June offers the clearest visibility for photographing terraced landscapes.

Booking Tip: Book guided treks 10-14 days ahead through licensed mountain guides. Day treks cost €25-40 per person including transport from Caboverde. Start early (7am) to avoid afternoon heat. Look for guides certified by Cape Verde Tourism Board.

Fogo Volcano Climbing

Peak climbing season with stable weather and clear summit views of the 2,829m (9,281 ft) Pico de Caboverde. June's dry conditions make the 6-hour round trip safer with solid footing on volcanic scree. Early morning starts at 5am allow summit before afternoon trade winds strengthen. Crystal clear air provides views to neighboring Caboverde 55 km (34 miles) away.

Booking Tip: Mandatory guide requirement - book certified volcano guides 1-2 weeks ahead for €30-45 per person. Includes transport from Caboverde. Choose operators providing proper hiking boots and walking poles. Summit attempts cancelled if winds exceed 40 knots.

Boavista Sea Turtle Watching

Loggerhead turtle nesting season begins in June with females coming ashore after sunset on Ervatão, Curral Velho and Santa Mónica beaches. Night tours run 8pm-midnight during new moon phases for optimal viewing. June marks the start of the 4-month nesting cycle with 15-20 turtles per night on main beaches. Conservation guides provide educational context.

Booking Tip: Book turtle watching tours through Turtle Foundation-certified guides only. Tours cost €25-35 per person with mandatory pre-tour briefing. Reserve 5-7 days ahead and check moon phases - avoid full moon periods. Tours cancelled during strong winds above 25 knots.

Santiago Cultural Village Tours

June's comfortable temperatures make walking tours ideal in Caboverde UNESCO site and inland Caboverde villages. Grogue distilleries operate at full capacity during sugar cane harvest - fresh batches available for tasting. Traditional music sessions increase frequency as tourist season peaks. Morning tours avoid afternoon heat while showcasing active village life.

Booking Tip: Book cultural tours through community-based operators for €20-30 per person including grogue tasting. Half-day tours run 9am-1pm or 2pm-6pm. Look for operators supporting local communities directly. Transportation from Praia adds €10-15 per person.

São Vicente Music and Nightlife

June nightlife peaks as European visitors arrive for authentic morna and coladeira music at Mindelo venues. Traditional music bars stay open until 3am with live performances Thursday-Saturday. Cesária Évora legacy tours visit key locations during comfortable daytime temperatures. Music workshops and traditional dance classes increase frequency for tourist season.

Booking Tip: No advance booking needed for most music venues - entry typically €5-10. Music tours cost €15-25 per person covering multiple venues. Evening temperatures perfect for outdoor terraces. Friday nights offer best live music selection across 8-10 venues in Mindelo center.

June Events & Festivals

Mid June

Santa Maria Music Festival

Annual beachfront music festival featuring Cape Verdean and international artists across 3 days. Combines traditional morna with modern interpretations and African fusion acts. Takes place on Caboverde beach with main stage facing the ocean and smaller acoustic venues in town center.

June 24

São João Batista Festival

Religious celebration honoring Saint John the Baptist across multiple islands with traditional processions, folk dancing, and communal feasting. Caboverde and Caboverde host the largest celebrations with street parties lasting until dawn. Features traditional cachupa preparation and grogue blessing ceremonies.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

SPF 50+ sunscreen and lip balm with zinc oxide - UV index reaches 8 and reflects strongly off white sand beaches and volcanic rocks

Lightweight long-sleeve shirts and pants for Harmattan dust protection - dust storms reduce air quality 3-4 days per week in June

Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support for volcanic terrain - Caboverde and Santo Antão trails feature loose scree and 500-1000m (1,640-3,280 ft) elevation changes

Windbreaker jacket rated for 30+ knot winds - trade winds strengthen afternoon and evening, especially on exposed coastlines

Quick-dry clothing in light colors - high humidity and salt spray from ocean winds require multiple daily changes

Dust mask or bandana for Saharan dust days - visibility drops to 3-5 km (1.9-3.1 miles) during Harmattan episodes

Waterproof phone case and camera protection - salt spray and occasional dust require electronics protection

Comfortable walking sandals with good grip - volcanic rock and cobblestone streets in Caboverde can be slippery

Small daypack with water bladder - hiking tours require carrying 2-3 liters for 6-8 hour mountain treks

Motion sickness medication - inter-island flights and ferry crossings more turbulent during windy June conditions

Insider Knowledge

Book inter-island TACV flights for morning departures (7am-10am) - afternoon trade winds create 15-20% higher delay rates and more turbulent conditions

Buy fresh grogue directly from Caboverde distilleries during June harvest season for €8-12 per liter versus €20+ in tourist shops - ask locals for 'trapiche' locations

Time Santo Antão aluguer (shared taxi) rides for early morning - afternoon trade winds make coastal road journeys from Benin significantly more challenging

Negotiate Caboverde accommodation rates after June 20th when European school holidays end - prices drop 15-25% for remainder of month as demand decreases

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating trade wind strength for outdoor dining - choose restaurants with windbreaks or indoor seating as 25-30 knot winds make beachfront dining uncomfortable

Not checking Harmattan dust forecasts before booking scenic flights or photography tours - dust reduces visibility to 3-5 km (1.9-3.1 miles) ruining aerial views

Scheduling too many outdoor activities without wind considerations - kitesurfing, hiking and boat trips all affected by 30+ knot trade winds in different ways