Sal, Cabo Verde
Cape Verde is a year-round diving destination: the water never gets truly cold and there is no rainy season to speak of. But the islands do change through the year — wind, water temperature and wildlife all shift — and knowing how helps you pick the right week and plan your dives around the calmest days.
This month-by-month guide covers diving around Sal, where most visitors stay. Conditions vary from year to year, so treat it as a guide, not a guarantee — and ask us about your exact dates.
The short answer
For the warmest water and the calmest seas, July to November is generally the best time to dive Cape Verde. Water is often 24–27 °C and the trade winds are usually lighter. December to May is windier and cooler underwater but still very diveable, and brings the chance of hearing humpback whales.
Winter: December to February
The north-east trade winds are usually at their strongest from around December to April — great news for Sal's kitesurfers, more variable for divers. Water cools to roughly 21–23 °C, so a 5 mm wetsuit is comfortable.
Diving continues all winter on the sheltered southern and western coast. Some days will be too rough for certain sites, which is why choosing an operator who adapts the plan to conditions matters more in winter than at any other time.
Spring: March to May
Water is at its coolest in early spring, roughly 21–22 °C, and wind can still be strong. In exchange, this is roughly the period when humpback whales pass through Cape Verde waters. Sightings from the boat are a bonus rather than a promise, but hearing whale song underwater is a highlight many divers never forget.
Spring is also quieter than the European summer holidays, with smaller groups at most sites.
Summer: June to August
The wind usually eases, the sea calms and the water warms steadily, reaching roughly 24–25 °C by August. Summer is excellent for first-time divers and students, as calm surface conditions make everything easier.
Loggerhead turtles come ashore to nest on Sal's beaches from around July. Nesting is protected — watch only with licensed local projects — but the season is a reminder of how important these waters are for turtles.
Autumn: September to November
For many divers this is the sweet spot. Water is often at its warmest, around 25–27 °C, visibility can be excellent on calm days and turtle hatchlings make their way to the sea from roughly August to November.
Occasional swell and short rain showers can arrive in late summer and early autumn, but they rarely last. October and November combine warm water with fewer crowds.
Month-by-month summary
- Jan–Feb: ~21–23 °C, windy, good on sheltered sites, whales possible from late winter.
- Mar–Apr: ~21–22 °C, windy, whale season, quieter.
- May–Jun: ~22–24 °C, wind easing, very good all-round.
- Jul–Aug: ~24–25 °C, calm, turtle nesting begins, busy holiday season.
- Sep–Oct: ~25–27 °C, warmest water, hatchlings, excellent diving.
- Nov–Dec: ~24–25 °C, warm, wind returning towards December.
Temperatures are approximate and vary by year. Ask us for the conditions in the weeks before your trip.
Best time for first-time divers
If it is your first dive or your Open Water course, aim for June to November when the surface is usually calmest. Whatever month you come, book your dives early in your stay so there is time to reschedule if the wind picks up.
How wind affects diving in Sal
Wind is the single biggest factor in day-to-day diving conditions around Sal. The island sits in the path of the north-east trade winds, which is why it is famous for kitesurfing. Strong wind creates surface chop, makes boat rides bumpier and can reduce visibility by stirring up sand.
The good news is that Sal's geography helps. The southern and south-western coast around Santa Maria is sheltered from the prevailing wind, which is why most dive sites are found there. On windy days, an experienced operator simply chooses the most protected sites — or moves your dive to a calmer day. What you want to avoid is an operator who runs exactly the same trip whatever the forecast.
Wetsuit guide by season
- December to May (roughly 21–23 °C): 5 mm full wetsuit, especially for multiple dives a day or if you feel the cold.
- June and November (roughly 23–25 °C): 3–5 mm full wetsuit.
- July to October (roughly 24–27 °C): 3 mm full wetsuit or shorty for many divers.
If you feel the cold or plan three dives a day, go one step thicker — repeated dives cool you down more than you expect. We provide wetsuits in all sizes.
Planning tips whatever the month
Book your first dives for the first half of your stay, keep one or two flexible days, and avoid scheduling dives in the 18–24 hours before your flight home. If you are combining diving with kitesurfing or island tours, plan land activities for the windiest days and dives for the calmest — we are happy to advise as the forecast develops.
Marine life calendar
Turtles, rays, octopus, morays and schooling fish can be seen year-round. Humpback whales are most likely from roughly late winter to spring. Loggerhead turtles nest on the beaches from around July, with hatchlings heading to sea from roughly August to November. Manta and other pelagic encounters are rare bonuses rather than something to plan around. If one animal matters most to you, tell us when you enquire and we will be honest about your chances during your dates — we would rather set realistic expectations than sell a promise the ocean may not keep.
Plan your dives with someone who checks the sea every day
Conditions change daily, and the best dive operators plan around them. We check wind, swell and visibility every evening and move your dive for free if the sea isn't right. Tell us your dates and we'll give you an honest forecast of what to expect — and the best days in your week to dive.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to dive in Cape Verde?
September and October usually offer the warmest water, around 25–27 °C, with generally calmer seas. July to November is the best overall window.
Can you dive in Cape Verde in winter?
Yes. Diving runs year-round. Winter is windier and the water cooler (around 21–23 °C), but sheltered sites around Sal remain diveable on most days.