Cape Verde in March

March weather, activities, events & insider tips

March Weather in Cape Verde

25°C (78°F) High Temp

19°C (66°F) Low Temp

0 mm (0.0 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is March Right for You?

Advantages

Peak dry season with zero rainfall and consistent trade winds averaging 25-30 km/h (15-19 mph) - perfect for windsurfing and kitesurfing with optimal conditions at Caboverde and Caboverde
Harmattan winds bring cooler temperatures but also create impressive atmospheric light for photography, especially during golden hour at Buracona (Blue Eye) and Pedra de Lume salt flats
Sea temperatures reach 23°C (73°F) - warmest of the year - making it ideal for swimming, diving, and snorkeling without wetsuits at sites like Caboverde and Caboverde
Morna music festival season begins, with live performances every weekend in Mindelo's cultural venues and spontaneous street sessions in Plateau, Praia

Considerations

Harmattan dust from Sahara creates hazy conditions 15-20 days in March, reducing visibility for long-distance photography and occasional flight delays
Peak tourist season pricing with accommodation costs 40-60% higher than May-October, especially on Caboverde and Caboverde
Strong winds (25-35 km/h or 15-22 mph) can make beach lounging uncomfortable and create choppy conditions for casual boat trips on windward coasts

Best Activities in March

Windsurfing and Kitesurfing at Sal Island

March delivers the year's most consistent trade winds at 25-30 km/h (15-19 mph) with flat water conditions on the leeward side. Water temperature hits 23°C (73°F) - no wetsuit needed. Caboverde Beach offers perfect learning conditions while Ponta Preta provides world-class wave sailing. Wind picks up reliably by 11am and holds until sunset.

Booking Tip: Equipment rental typically costs €40-60 per day. Book lessons 7-10 days ahead as March is peak season. Look for VDWS or IKO certified instructors. Many packages include airport transfers and multiple beach access.

Santo Antão Hiking and Canyoning

March offers the driest trail conditions after the brief rainy season ends. Trails are settled, dust is minimal, and temperatures stay comfortable for high-altitude hiking. The famous Cova to Paul valley descent (12 km/7.5 miles) showcases post-rain greenery without muddy conditions. Perfect visibility for Pico da Cruz summit attempts.

Booking Tip: Multi-day guided treks cost €80-120 per day including meals and accommodation. Book 14-21 days ahead for March. Ensure guides are licensed through the municipal tourism office. Ferry from Caboverde runs 3x daily and gets booked solid in March.

Cultural Immersion in Mindelo, São Vicente

March marks the beginning of morna and coladeira festival season. Live music happens nightly at venues like Centro Cultural do Mindelo, with street performances every weekend in Rua Lisboa. The dry season means outdoor concerts and cultural events run uninterrupted. This is when you'll hear Cesária Évora's legacy performed by current artists.

Booking Tip: Concert tickets range €15-35. Cultural walking tours typically cost €25-40 per person. Book through municipal cultural center rather than hotel concierges for real feels. Many venues offer dinner-show packages for €45-65.

Loggerhead Turtle Nesting Tours on Boa Vista

March is peak nesting season for loggerhead sea turtles on Caboverde's beaches, particularly Curral Velho and Ervatão. Night tours (9pm-2am) offer 80-90% success rates for witnessing nesting. The dry weather ensures tours run nightly without cancellations. Best moon phases are first two weeks of March 2025.

Booking Tip: Night tours cost €35-50 per person and must be booked through licensed guides only - unregulated tourism disturbs nesting. Reserve 10-14 days ahead for March dates. Tours include transportation and red-filtered flashlights. Group sizes limited to 8 people per guide.

Deep Sea Fishing and Marlin Tracking

March brings blue marlin migration through Cape Verde waters, with peak activity 15-25 km (9-15 miles) offshore. Calm morning seas before trade winds intensify make it ideal for full-day charters. Water clarity exceeds 30m (100ft) visibility. Yellowfin tuna and wahoo also peak during this month.

Booking Tip: Full-day charters (8 hours) cost €800-1200 for up to 6 people. Half-day trips €400-600. Book 14-21 days ahead for March. Ensure boats have GPS fish finders and emergency equipment. Most depart from Mindelo or Caboverde at 6am to beat afternoon winds.

Fogo Island Volcano Crater Hiking

March offers the clearest atmospheric conditions for Caboverde summit attempts (2,829m/9,281ft). Minimal dust haze and stable weather patterns provide reliable summit windows. The recent volcanic activity areas in Chã das Caldeiras are safely accessible with guides, showing dramatic geological formations and traditional wine-making villages.

Booking Tip: Guided crater hikes cost €60-85 per person including transport from Caboverde. Summit attempts require overnight stays (€100-140 including accommodation). Book 14 days ahead minimum. Verify guides are certified by Caboverde National Park authorities. Inter-island flights from Praia book up quickly in March.

March Events & Festivals

Mid March

Festival de Gamboa Music Festival

Annual celebration of traditional Cape Verdean music in Praia featuring morna, coladeira, and contemporary fusion artists. Three-day festival with outdoor stages, food vendors, and artisan markets. Performances run from afternoon until 2am daily.

All of March

Mindelo Cultural Month

Month-long celebration of Caboverde's cultural heritage with daily events including poetry readings, art exhibitions, traditional dance workshops, and live music. Venues throughout the city participate with special programming and extended hours.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

SPF 50+ sunscreen and zinc stick - UV index reaches 8 with intense reflection off white sand beaches and salt flats

Lightweight windbreaker - trade winds average 25-30 km/h (15-19 mph) and can make evenings surprisingly cool

Dust mask or bandana - Harmattan brings Saharan dust 15-20 days in March, affecting those with respiratory sensitivities

Sturdy hiking boots with good grip - volcanic rock trails are sharp and loose, especially on Caboverde and Caboverde hikes

Quick-dry clothing in light colors - reflects heat and dries fast in constant wind, avoid dark colors that show dust

Waterproof phone case - not for rain but for sand and salt spray during boat trips and beach activities

Polarized sunglasses - essential for reducing glare from white sand and intense sun reflection off the ocean

Electrolyte tablets - dry heat and wind increase dehydration risk during outdoor activities

Cash in euros - ATMs are limited outside main towns and card acceptance is spotty at local businesses

Reef-safe sunscreen specifically - many dive sites and marine protected areas prohibit chemical sunscreens

Insider Knowledge

Book inter-island flights through local travel agencies in person rather than online - they have access to resident pricing and can secure seats during peak March demand when international booking sites show sold out

Time outdoor activities for early morning (6-10am) before trade winds intensify - afternoons see consistent 30+ km/h (19+ mph) winds that make hiking and photography challenging

Stock up on fresh produce in Praia or Mindelo before heading to smaller islands - March's peak tourist season creates supply shortages and inflated prices on Caboverde, Caboverde, and Caboverde

Download offline maps and music before arriving - internet speeds drop significantly in March due to increased tourist usage, and streaming becomes unreliable outside main hotels

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating the wind factor - tourists pack for warm weather but don't prepare for constant 25-30 km/h (15-19 mph) trade winds that make lightweight clothing inadequate and beach umbrellas useless

Booking same-day inter-island travel in March - peak season means flights and ferries sell out 7-14 days ahead, leaving tourists stranded or paying premium last-minute rates

Planning beach lounging without wind protection - March's trade winds make traditional beach setups uncomfortable; successful beach days require wind-protected coves or resort facilities with windbreaks