Is Cape Verde Hotter Than Canaries? A Weather Guide

If you’re thinking about traveling to a lovely island with sunny beaches to get that sun tan, you’ve probably come across suggestions for Cape Verde. Cape Verde is one of the best beach spots for summer and wintertime and has a collection of archipelagos with beautiful beaches near West Africa’s coast. However, is the tropical island of Cape Verde actually hotter than the commonly known Canary Islands? 

Cape Verde is hotter than the Canaries because it’s closer to the equator. The temperature in Cape Verde ranges from 24°C – 30°C (75°F – 86°F) year-round, whereas Canaries ranges from 18°C – 24°C (64°F – 75°F). August is the hottest month in Cape Verde, and the coldest month is January.

Cape Verde’s hotter climate does make it sound more appealing in the winter than the Canaries. However, this makes us curious as to whether Cape Verde is a better vacation destination than the Canary Islands and what else Cape Verde has to offer. We have been to both archipelagos and are here to help you out. So continue reading.

Climate Difference Between Cape Verde And Canaries

Both winters and summers in Cape Verde are hot, and there is minimal rainfall all year round. While both destinations are incredible sunbathing spots for your next vacation, Cape Verde is definitely warmer. We’ve compared the temperatures of both the archipelagos below so you can gauge which one’s more suited to your liking: 

Cape Verde

According to the recorded climate of Cape Verde, it has three distinctive seasons. November to February is considered the transition season, March to June is regarded as the dry season, and July to October is believed to be the rainy season. The temperature throughout the year ranges from 24°C – 30°C (75°F – 86°F). 

Graph Average High/Low-Temperature Cape Verde

The Canary Islands

On the other hand, the Canary Islands experience a Mediterranean climate dominated by arid summer months with warm temperatures and mild winters with more rainfall. With that said, the temperature in the Canaries mostly stays mild throughout the year, ranging from 18°C – 24°C (64°F – 75°F). 

Graph Average High/Low-Temperature Canaries

Daily Average Temperatures Cape Verde vs. Canary Islands

Cape Verde Vs. Canary Islands

Although Cape Verde and the Canaries are exceptionally warm choices for visiting in your winter holidays, certain factors set these two archipelagos apart. To give you a better idea, we have broken down the differences between these two, so without further ado, let’s get started: 

Location

The first comparison between these two vacation spots is where they are located. However, they both are located off the west coast of Africa. Cape Verde is more south and is part of the African continent, and the Canary islands belong to Spain and, therefore, Europe.

Cape Verde’s Location

Cape Verde is a chain of ten wonderful and warm islands. It is located south of the Canary Islands but is further away from the African Coast. It is 664 kilometers (412 miles) from Senegal and Mauritania. All islands of Cape Verde vary from each other, making this vacation destination so extraordinary.

Each island has qualities that make them ideal for surfing, hiking, or enjoying captivating beaches. Despite being close to West Africa, Cape Verde is off everyone’s radar, as not many people know about this place, especially in the US. However, this place is quite familiar to Europeans as it is a common winter escape. 

Even on the island of Boa Vista, there is a small desert that is an extension of the Sahara desert in Africa. The wind blows over the desert sand to this island. Below is our travel video of Boa Vista, where we visit this desert.

The Canary Islands Location

The Canary Islands consist of seven inhabited islands. This Spanish archipelago is located around 1,100 kilometers from the mainland of Spain. One hundred kilometers (62 miles) off the west coast of southern Morocco.

The islands are very diverse and do an excellent job of attracting both beach and nature lovers to experience the beauty of these islands here. The large islands are very popular with tourists, which is why the Canary Islands are more crowded than Cape Verde.

Cost And Expenses

When it comes to cost and expenses, the prices in Cape Verde, compared to the Canary Islands, are much lower.  

There is a substantial difference in the prices of meals, local transportation, and hotels or resorts between Cape Verde and the Canary Islands. Here’s a table comparing the costs of both of these destination spots highlighting the differences:

Read more: Is Cape Verde Expensive To Visit? | Travel Expenses Guide

Attractions And Culture 

Cape Verde and the Canaries are rich in culture and have multiple tourist attractions, making them the perfect option for your vacation. Due to the tropical climate of Cape Verde and the Canaries, surfing, sandboarding, and swimming are definitely the most popular attractions among tourists. 

However, just enjoying the overall beautiful scenery is what tourists have reported enjoying most here.

Cape Verde’s Culture

Cape Verde is known for its warm climate, tall and high volcanic mountains, harmonious musicians, incredible scenery, and lovely cobbled paths. And definitely worth visiting.

Read more: 21 Reasons Why Cape Verde Is Worth Visiting

The lovely Cape Verdean music can be enjoyed on almost all of the islands. What makes this music so unique is its typically poetic and melancholic notes. 

Moreover, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to visit festivals in Cape Verde, which is an important part of their culture. The most fun and super local experience is the carnival in Cape Verde in February/ March.

Another attraction of Cape Verde, is trekking and hiking, as the dormant volcanic mountains, rocky seashore, and equatorial forests make for fantastic hiking opportunities. Mount Fogo, an active volcano, is an obvious destination for trekkers. 

Additionally, fishing, diving, and surfing are the most popular activities on Cape Verde. On days when the temperature is relatively high, we suggest laying on the beach soaking up the sun, and on days when it’s pretty windy, we recommend going wind and kitesurfing. You can read more about it in my article: Best Surf Spots in Boa Vista Cape Verde

The Beauty Of Cape Verde Islands (our travel video)

The Canary Islands Culture

The culture in the Canary Islands is rich in tradition and the arts. While the archipelago has a Spanish influence, the language, cuisine, and music are still unique.

The Canary Islands is a hiking paradise and one of the world’s best places for star-gazing, after Hawaii. The tall and high volcanic mountains in the Canaries are the perfect cause for tourists to take out their hiking gear.

Another popular activity in the Canaries is whale and dolphin watching. Several water parks are built precisely for this purpose, where tourists can enjoy the warm water and indulge in watching dolphins swim and play.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are a few commonly asked questions about Cape Verde:

What is the best month to go to Cape Verde?

You can visit Cape Verde at any time of the year. However, the ideal time is between the months of November and June. This is the perfect time to enjoy the beaches of Cape Verde, as the temperature is usually around 20-30 °C, and there’s hardly any rain.

Read more: What Is The Best Time To Visit Cape Verde?

What is the temperature like in Cape Verde at night?

In Cape Verde, during the night, the temperature lingers at a delightful 21°C to 24°C as the gentle ocean breeze helps relieve the hot days’ humidity levels. We suggest packing light and cool clothing.

Is Cape Verde a safe place to visit?

In general, Cape Verde has a safe environment consisting of security and emergency services working as an adequate solid infrastructure with minimum trouble. However, it is advised to be watchful of your surroundings and best to keep an eye on your possessions at all times.

Conclusion 

Cape Verde and the Canary Islands are both great destinations to visit during your vacations, especially during the winter holidays in December. Though both archipelagos enjoy warm weather all year round, Cape Verde is the warmer of the two, with little rainfall and lots of sunshine.