Things to Do in Cape Verde in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Cape Verde
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Tail end of dry season means virtually no rainfall despite 10 days marked as 'rainy' - these are typically brief morning mists in the highlands, not actual downpours. You'll get consistent sunshine for beach days and hiking without the dust storms that hit in April.
- Wind conditions are absolutely perfect for kitesurfing and windsurfing, particularly on Sal and Boa Vista. March sits in that sweet spot where the trade winds are still strong (15-25 knots typically) but the water temperature has warmed to 23°C (73°F), so you're not freezing in a wetsuit.
- Shoulder season pricing kicks in after Carnival (usually ends early March), meaning accommodation costs drop 20-30% compared to February while weather conditions remain essentially identical. Flight prices from Europe also dip mid-month.
- Sea turtle nesting season begins on Boa Vista toward the end of March - you might catch the very first loggerheads coming ashore, and you'll definitely avoid the July-August crowds at the turtle watching sites. The beaches are still relatively empty, so turtle encounters feel more authentic.
Considerations
- Harmattan winds from the Sahara can still blow through in early March, bringing hazy skies and that fine dust that gets into absolutely everything. When it hits, visibility drops and sunsets lose their usual brilliance. Happens maybe 3-5 days in a typical March, unpredictably.
- Water visibility for diving and snorkeling can be inconsistent - the ocean is transitioning between seasons, and you'll get days where plankton blooms reduce underwater visibility to 10-15 m (33-49 ft) instead of the crystal-clear 25 m (82 ft) you'd see in November. Not terrible, but worth managing expectations.
- Some restaurants and tour operators on smaller islands like Brava and Santo Antão are still operating on reduced schedules from the quiet January-February period. They haven't fully ramped up for high season yet, so you might find your favorite lunch spot only open for dinner, or boat transfers running three times weekly instead of daily.
Best Activities in March
Kitesurfing and Windsurfing Sessions
March is genuinely one of the two best months for wind sports in Cape Verde. The northeast trade winds are still pumping consistently at 15-25 knots, the water has warmed up to 23°C (73°F) so you can get away with a shorty wetsuit or just boardshorts, and the beaches on Sal (Kite Beach particularly) and Boa Vista aren't yet packed with the April school holiday crowds. Even if you've never tried it, beginner conditions in March are forgiving - steady wind without the gustiness you get later in the season.
Santo Antão Coastal and Mountain Hiking
The landscapes are still green from winter rains but the trails have dried out enough that you're not slipping through mud. March hits that perfect window before everything browns out in April. The Cova crater to Paul Valley route is spectacular right now - you'll walk through terraced agriculture that's actually lush, and the temperatures at altitude (you'll be hiking between 1,000-1,400 m or 3,280-4,593 ft) sit around 18-22°C (64-72°F), which is genuinely pleasant for a 4-6 hour trek. Humidity at 70% sounds high but the wind at elevation keeps it comfortable.
Live Music Circuit in Mindelo
March is when Mindelo's music scene catches its breath after Carnival but before the summer festival season. What this means for you: the regular venues are back to their weekly schedules, you'll actually get to hear morna and coladeira in intimate settings rather than massive street parties, and the musicians aren't exhausted. Tuesday nights at various bars in the Praça Nova area, Friday and Saturday pretty much everywhere. The 70% humidity actually makes evening temperatures perfect for sitting outside with a grogue while a guitarist works through Cesária Évora classics.
Diving Around Santa Maria and Murdeira Bay
Water temperature in March hovers around 23°C (73°F), which is actually warmer than January-February, so you'll be comfortable in a 3mm wetsuit. The visibility can be variable as mentioned - some days you'll get 20 m (66 ft), other days closer to 12 m (39 ft) depending on plankton activity. That said, March is solid for seeing nurse sharks, moray eels, and the occasional manta ray without the crowds that pack the dive boats in summer. The Kwarcit wreck dive off Santa Maria is particularly good right now.
Loggerhead Turtle Watching on Boa Vista
Late March is when the very first loggerheads start coming ashore to nest on Boa Vista's beaches, particularly around Ervatão and Curral Velho. You're at the absolute beginning of the season, which means fewer turtles than June-July but also far fewer tourists and a more intimate experience. The organized night watches involve sitting on the beach waiting for turtles to emerge, which can take 1-3 hours, but when it happens it's genuinely special. Temperatures at night in late March drop to around 19-20°C (66-68°F), so bring a light jacket.
Fogo Volcano Crater Hiking and Wine Tasting
Climbing Pico do Fogo (2,829 m or 9,281 ft) in March means you're tackling it before the truly hot months hit. Start at dawn and you'll be hiking in temperatures around 15-18°C (59-64°F) at the base, dropping to 8-12°C (46-54°F) at the summit. The visibility in March can be affected by Harmattan haze some days, but when it's clear you'll see across to Santiago and Brava. After descending, the wine cooperatives in Chã das Caldeiras are producing wine from grapes grown in volcanic soil - it's not world-class but it's genuinely interesting and you'll be tasting it where it's made.
March Events & Festivals
Carnival Celebrations (if visiting early March)
Cape Verde's Carnival typically wraps up in the first few days of March, depending on when Easter falls in 2026. If you're arriving in the first week, you might catch the tail end in Mindelo (São Vicente) or São Nicolau. This isn't Rio-scale, but it's authentically Cape Verdean - parade groups in elaborate costumes, street music, and grogue flowing freely. The Tuesday parade in Mindelo is the main event. Worth timing your trip around if you're into that kind of chaos, but be aware accommodation prices are 40-50% higher and everything books out months ahead.
Gamboa Festival Preparation
Not an event you'll attend in March, but if you're in São Nicolau mid-to-late March, you'll see preparations ramping up for the Gamboa Music Festival which typically happens in May. Rehearsals happen in public squares, stages get built, and there's a genuine buzz. It's actually a decent time to visit São Nicolau because you get the energy without the crowds and inflated prices of festival week.