Start of the brief rainy season on some islands; rainfall is most likely on Santiago and Fogo. Humidity increases and visitor numbers drop, though many days remain sunny.
NASA's Visible Earth CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons
Average daily low and high (°C) and monthly rainfall. The badge shows how it feels, allowing for humidity.
Average temperature across Cape Verde in August.
Santo Antão & São Nicolau
August marks the start of the short rainy season; Santo Antão and São Nicolau often receive the bulk of Cape Verde’s rainfall in pulses, with heavier showers and greener slopes. Waterfalls come alive and the valley agriculture looks at its most lush, but mountain trails can be treacherous and some remote footpaths wash out. If you’re trekking, plan flexible schedules and expect intermittent storms that can delay transport.
urban & cultural coast
August sits in the short rainy season so expect intermittent heavy showers and overcast intervals, especially inland on São Vicente. Flooding is limited on the town’s flat streets, but storms can make the sea rough and disrupt island ferries. The city is quieter than Sal in peak tourism; if attending festivals or local events check schedules and sea conditions before booking boat trips.
beaches, dunes and resorts
August sits in the short rainy window: Sal and Boa Vista remain relatively arid but are more likely to see sudden heavy showers that pass quickly, occasionally turning roads muddy. The sea can be rougher, and storm surges occasionally push sand onto beachfront promenades. This month is also the warmest for sea temperatures; snorkeling off soft-shelled beaches is pleasant when conditions permit.
Praia, Cidade Velha & interior hills
August is the core of the short rainy season: Santiago can see heavy, sometimes torrential showers and thunderstorms concentrated in the interior and higher slopes. Urban flooding in low parts of Praia and road washouts in rural areas are possible, affecting travel between towns. For visitors, allow flexible itineraries, prioritize morning city sightseeing and check local guidance for excursions uphill.
volcanic heights and sheltered southern isles
August introduces the short rainy pulses that can make the volcanic soils on Fogo smell richly and make the island briefly very green; heavy showers can drench the caldera and complicate mountain trails. Brava can be misty and damp in this period, with clouds sometimes sitting on its slopes. Travelers should expect muddy tracks and potential delays in small inter-island boats during stormy spells.
A long-running music festival on São Vicente, held in August and drawing local and regional acts.
See how August compares with the rest of the year, then read the full guide.