Best time to visit
Best Time to Visit Sal
A flat, dry Atlantic island off West Africa, with warm weather all year, white beaches and strong trade winds.
Best time to visit: All year; November–June is driest, and winter is the main season for European visitors.
Local tip: Visit Buracona around midday, when the sun lights up the Blue Eye.
Getting around: The airport is 20 minutes from Santa Maria; taxis and quad tours cover the island.
Good to know: Daytime highs stay around 25–30°C all year, and it's windy from December to May.
What to plan your trip around
- Santa Maria Beach
A long white-sand beach in the main resort town.
- Pedra de Lume Salt Crater
Salt pans inside an old volcanic crater where you can float.
- Buracona
A natural rock pool and the 'Blue Eye' light effect.
- Kite Beach
One of the best-known kitesurfing spots in the Atlantic.
Sal weather by month
Sal weather by month
Average temperatures and rainfall Sal gets in each month (2011–2020). Tap a month for the full breakdown.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°C | 21°C | 28 mm | 74% |
| February | 22°C | 20°C | 25 mm | 78% |
| March | 22°C | 20°C | 7 mm | 80% |
| April | 22°C | 21°C | 7 mm | 82% |
| May | 23°C | 22°C | 3 mm | 83% |
| June | 24°C | 22°C | 3 mm | 86% |
| July | 25°C | 24°C | 7 mm | 84% |
| August | 27°C | 25°C | 34 mm | 82% |
| September | 27°C | 26°C | 45 mm | 83% |
| October | 27°C | 26°C | 26 mm | 81% |
| November | 26°C | 24°C | 32 mm | 77% |
| December | 24°C | 23°C | 36 mm | 74% |
Sal through the year
January · 23° / 21°C · 28 mm
- This is rainy-season territory in Sal: short, heavy downpours are typical.
- There's little difference between day and night (around 1°C).
April · 22° / 21°C · 7 mm
- April sits in Sal's drier season — usually a comfortable time to visit.
- It's one of the drier months, with about 67% less rain than Sal's average.
July · 25° / 24°C · 7 mm
- It's one of the drier stretches of the year in Sal.
- Rain is well below Sal's usual level (around 67% less).
October · 27° / 26°C · 26 mm
- Days and nights are close, only about 1°C apart.
- It's humid — around 81% — so the heat feels heavier.
The best time to visit Sal is February, March and April, when average highs are 22°C and rainfall is around 13 mm a month.
At a glance
When to go to Sal, season by season
December – February
Good23° / 22°C · 30 mm
Comfortable weather overall, with fewer visitors than peak season.
March – May
Best time22° / 21°C · 6 mm
Pleasant temperatures and relatively little rain: the best window for sightseeing and time outdoors.
June – August
Good25° / 24°C · 15 mm
Comfortable weather overall, with fewer visitors than peak season.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to visit Sal?
- For pleasant, fairly dry weather, go to Sal in February, March and April. Average highs are then 22°C.
- Why is February a good time to visit Sal?
- In February, Sal averages 22°C by day and 20°C at night, with about 25 mm of rain and 54% cloud cover: warm enough to be outdoors without the peak heat or the wettest weather.
- What is the warmest month in Sal?
- September is the warmest month in Sal, with average highs of 27°C and lows of 26°C.
- What is the coldest month in Sal?
- February is the coldest month in Sal: average highs of 22°C, dropping to 20°C at night.
- When does it rain the most in Sal?
- September is the wettest month in Sal with about 45 mm of rain. The driest is May, with around 3 mm.
- When is the worst time to visit Sal?
- Sal has no really bad month for weather: average highs stay between 22 and 27°C all year.
- Is the shoulder season a good time to visit Sal?
- Yes. January and May sit just outside the best months for Sal, with average highs of 23°C and about 16 mm of rain a month. Weather-wise, they are a good alternative to the peak months.
- How can I check the weather in Sal before I travel?
- Compare the live forecast for Sal from three independent weather services on WeatherCompare. When they agree, the forecast is more reliable.
Cite or embed this data
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Best time to visit Sal. WeatherCompare, 2026 (climate averages: NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020). https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/cape-verde/sal
<a href="https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/cape-verde/sal">Best time to visit Sal</a> (WeatherCompare)
<iframe src="https://weathercompare.eu/embed/cape-verde/sal" width="300" height="160" style="border:0;border-radius:12px" loading="lazy" title="Best time to visit Sal"></iframe> <p style="font-size:12px"><a href="https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/cape-verde/sal">Best time to visit Sal</a> – WeatherCompare</p>