Cape Verde · Month comparison
October vs April
April ranks #1 overall vs October at #4. The quietest month with the best sunshine — an underrated gem for those in the know.
October
#4 of 12 months
Best match
The autumn sweet spot — trade winds returning, prices low, weather excellent.
- ↑October sits in the gap between summer and winter tourist seasons: prices are at their annual trough on the resort islands, the trade winds are returning to strength, and the weather is excellent (12mm rain, 7.8 sunshine hours). This is the best-value month for a kite surfing or wind sports trip.
- ↑Trade winds rebuilding from September means October wind conditions on Sal's Kite Beach and Boa Vista's Praia de Chaves approach the January-February prime: consistent 20–25 knot winds with flat water in the lagoon, choppy ocean swells on the windward side for wave riding.
April
#1 of 12 months
Best match
The quietest month with the best sunshine — an underrated gem for those in the know.
- ↑April sees the highest sunshine hours of the year (9.0 per day) and the lowest tourist volumes: European package tourism has wound down from the winter peak and hasn't yet been replaced by summer visitors. The Sal resort area is calm, prices are competitive, and the wind sports infrastructure is fully operational.
- ↑The Cidade Velha UNESCO site on Santiago island is best visited in April's dry season light: the ruined Portuguese colonial city (founded 1462) — the oldest European settlement in sub-Saharan Africa — has extraordinary atmosphere at the Pillory Square and the Cathedral ruins. The Saturday market on the road from Praia is a genuine cultural experience.
| Factor | October | April |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 8 | 9 |
| Value score | 7 | 8 |
| Crowd score | 7 | 7 |
| Events score | 5 | 5 |
| Atmosphere | 8 | 8 |
| Avg high temp | 28.5°C | 27.3°C |
| Monthly rain | 12mm | 1mm |
| Daily sunshine | 7.8hrs | 9hrs |
October trade-offs
- ↓Low season means reduced programming and some resort facilities operating at minimum capacity: not all restaurants in Santa Maria (Sal) are open daily in October, and boat excursions may require minimum passenger numbers.
- ↓Some lingering humidity from September (71%) makes the flat islands feel slightly heavier than the spring months at similar temperatures.
April trade-offs
- ↓Trade winds moderating from their January-February peak: kitesurfers and windsurfers will find April conditions excellent but less consistently powered than the winter prime months.
- ↓Some Mindelo music venues and cultural spaces run reduced programmes in April — the post-Carnival lull affects the cultural calendar on São Vicente.
Scores compare months within Cape Verde. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →