Things to Do in Cape Verde in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
November Weather in Cape Verde
Is November Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak conditions for water sports and beach time - November marks the transition from rainy season to dry season, meaning you get reliably sunny days with 28°C (82°F) highs but without the intense heat of February-April. The Atlantic is calm enough for swimming but still has consistent wind for kitesurfing and windsurfing, particularly on Sal and Boa Vista where wind speeds average 20-25 knots.
- Shoulder season pricing with high season weather - You're visiting just before the December-February European winter escape rush, so accommodation costs run about 20-30% lower than peak season. Flight prices from Europe haven't hit their Christmas premium yet, and you'll actually be able to book popular restaurants in Santa Maria without waiting three days for a table.
- Turtle nesting season finale on Boa Vista - November is your last chance to witness loggerhead turtles nesting on the beaches, particularly at Praia de Ervatão and Praia de Lacação. The hatchlings from August-September nests are making their way to the ocean throughout November, and organized night watches (typically 2,000-3,500 CVE per person) let you observe without disturbing them. By December, this spectacle is mostly finished.
- Perfect hiking temperatures in the highlands - Santo Antão's mountain trails are at their greenest after the September-October rains but temperatures have cooled from the humid rainy season. The Cova crater and Ribeira da Torre valley are particularly stunning, with temperatures in the highlands sitting around 18-22°C (64-72°F) during morning hikes. The paths are dry enough for good traction but vegetation is still lush, which won't last past January.
Considerations
- Harmattan dust can reduce visibility and air quality - November occasionally catches the start of the Harmattan winds from the Sahara, bringing fine dust that turns the sky hazy and can irritate respiratory systems. This doesn't happen every year in November (it's more consistent December-February), but when it does, you might wake up to a brownish haze and reduced visibility. If you have asthma or respiratory sensitivities, bring your medications and check regional forecasts.
- Some island connections still on reduced schedules - Inter-island flights and ferries are transitioning from low season to high season schedules, meaning you might find fewer daily options between islands compared to December-January. Binter CV typically runs 2-3 flights daily on major routes instead of 4-5, and ferry services can be weather-dependent. Book inter-island transport as soon as you confirm your itinerary, ideally 3-4 weeks ahead.
- Cultural calendar is relatively quiet - Unlike February's Carnival or August's music festivals, November doesn't have major cultural events that give you deep insight into Cape Verdean life. You'll experience authentic daily culture, obviously, but if festivals and celebrations are important to your travel experience, you're in a quieter month. The upside is that everything you do experience is genuinely local rather than tourist-oriented.
Best Activities in November
Kitesurfing and windsurfing sessions on Sal
November brings consistent northeast trade winds (15-25 knots) to Sal's beaches, particularly Ponta Preta and Kite Beach, making it prime time for wind sports. The water temperature sits around 24-25°C (75-77°F), warm enough that many people windsurf in boardshorts rather than wetsuits. What makes November special is that you get excellent wind conditions without the December-January crowds fighting for beach space and equipment. Schools and rental shops have full fleets available and instructors aren't fully booked yet. Beginners should focus on Santa Maria Bay's protected waters, while advanced riders head to Ponta Preta's waves.
Santo Antão mountain hiking and valley trekking
The post-rainy season greenery is at its peak in November, particularly in the Ribeira Grande valley and Paul Valley where terraced agriculture creates stunning landscapes. Morning temperatures in the highlands (18-22°C or 64-72°F) are perfect for the challenging hike from Cova crater down to Paul, which takes 4-5 hours and drops 1,000 m (3,280 ft) through microclimates. The trails are dry enough for good footing but vegetation hasn't browned out yet like it will by March. Start hikes by 8am to avoid midday sun, and carry 2-3 liters (0.5-0.8 gallons) of water per person as there are limited refill points.
Turtle watching tours on Boa Vista beaches
November is your last opportunity to see loggerhead turtle nesting activity before the season ends. While peak nesting happens June-September, late nesters are still coming ashore in early November, and hatchlings from earlier nests are making their ocean journey throughout the month. Licensed night tours (starting around 8-9pm, lasting 2-3 hours) take you to protected beaches like Ervatão where you can observe from a respectful distance. The experience is weather-dependent - rough seas can prevent turtles from coming ashore, and tours get cancelled if conditions aren't right. Temperatures are comfortable for night beach walks, around 22-24°C (72-75°F).
Live music venues and morna performances in Mindelo
Mindelo on São Vicente is Cape Verde's cultural capital, and November evenings are perfect for experiencing live morna and coladeira music in intimate venues. Temperatures cool to 22-24°C (72-75°F) after sunset, making it comfortable to sit in open-air bars along the harbor. The music scene is authentically local rather than tourist-focused, with performances typically starting around 10pm and running past midnight on weekends. You'll find live music Thursday-Saturday nights at various venues around Rua de Lisboa and near the harbor, with no cover charge but expectation to buy drinks (200-400 CVE for local beer or grogue).
Snorkeling and diving around Santa Maria pier and offshore sites
November water conditions are excellent for underwater exploration - visibility typically reaches 20-30 m (65-100 ft) as the ocean settles after the rainy season. Water temperature around 24-25°C (75-77°F) is warm enough for extended snorkeling in a shorty wetsuit or even just swimwear. The pier at Santa Maria is an easy shore entry point where you'll see parrotfish, moray eels, and occasional rays among the pillars. More serious divers should explore sites like Cavala or Palmeira where you might spot nurse sharks, stingrays, and larger pelagics. November crowds are lighter than peak season, so dive boats aren't packed and you get more personalized attention.
Fogo volcano crater hiking and wine tasting
The Pico do Fogo volcano (2,829 m or 9,281 ft) is hikeable in November with comfortable temperatures - the crater floor sits around 20-22°C (68-72°F) during midday. The challenging summit hike takes 4-5 hours up and 2-3 hours down through volcanic ash and scoria, gaining 1,100 m (3,609 ft) from Chã das Caldeiras. November weather is reliably clear for summit views across the archipelago. After descending, visit the crater floor vineyards where the volcanic soil produces unique wines - tastings at local cooperatives cost 300-800 CVE and offer insight into how people live inside an active volcanic crater. The contrast between the black lava landscapes and green vineyards is particularly striking after the rainy season.
November Events & Festivals
Praia Music Festival
This newer festival (started 2023) typically happens in late November in the capital, featuring Cape Verdean artists alongside African and diaspora musicians. It's not a tourist event but rather a celebration for locals, giving you authentic insight into contemporary Cape Verdean music beyond traditional morna. Tickets usually run 1,500-3,000 CVE depending on the day, and the outdoor venue near Praia's Plateau neighborhood creates a genuine local atmosphere. Worth checking current year dates as it sometimes shifts to early December.