Sal Weather in May 2026: what to expect (8.9/10)

The month in detail

What to expect in May

May is peak dry season in Sal. The air is warm and humidity more bearable than in the rainy season. Rain is virtually absent (0.0% of days) — ideal for planning without a backup. A good balance between weather and crowds, even if November (9.0/10) remains theoretically better.

May ranks 2 out of 12 months in Sal. Compared to April: −0.6h of sun per day.

This month's conditions

What it's like in May

UV index

9 · very high

protection essential

Feels like

muggy at times

18°

Sea

24°C

pleasant for swimming

Daylight

12.8h of daylight

Air quality

fair

AQI 51

Compare

Is May the right month?

The best month in Sal is November (9.0/10), 0.1 pt higher than May.

See November →See all 12 months →

Context

Our verdict

Sal, gateway to Cape Verde: a flat desert island whose appeal lies entirely in the sea. A curious data point: September and October drop to 6.9/10 due to late rains brought by the Intertropical Convergence Zone (rare but striking).

Read Gilles' full review →

Book

Plan your trip

Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.

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Stay

Hotels & rentals · Sal

Expedia →

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Activities

Tours, tickets, experiences

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Flights

Multi-airline comparator

Kiwi →

🎟️ Activities & tours · Sal

GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation

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Affiliate link · GetYourGuide

Practical info

What you need to know before you go

Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a tropical stay.

Country · Cape Verde

🗣️LanguagePortuguese

💶CurrencyEscudo cap-verdien ($)

🚗DrivingRight-hand

🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5

💰Cost of living ⓘCheap · 2/5

🌡️ Climate

🌍Climate typeTropical

📈Climate trend ⓘ+1.81°C/decade

🔥Hottest monthSeptember · 30°C

❄️Coolest monthFebruary · 24°C

🌧️Rainiest month ⓘSeptember · 23%

🏝️ Tropical stay

🌞Dry season ⓘMay → Sep

🌧️Wet season ⓘDec → Mar

🌀Cyclones ⓘSeason Nov-Apr

Explore

Other destinations in May

If May doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.

Similar climate

Nearby

BissauGuinea-Bissau957 km

Other top picks

FuerteventuraSpain8.8

← April June →

🗺️ See all 754 destinations on the map

Location

Where is Sal ?

Global position + regional geographic context.

🌍 World

🔍 Geographic context

Cape Verde

Tropical climate with a 9.0 → 5.6 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.

16.73°N · 22.93°W

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Sal?

November is the best month with 28.0°C highs, 23.0°C lows, 6.3h of sunshine and 5.0% rainy days. The months of November & April offer comparable conditions.

How many hours of sunshine does Sal get in November?

Sal averages 6.3 sunshine hours per day in November. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.6/10.

What is the rainiest month in Sal?

September is the most unfavourable month with September has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.

What are the temperatures at night in Sal in November?

In November, overnight lows reach 23.0°C, while afternoon highs average 28.0°C.

Is Sal good in winter?

In winter (December-February), Sal scores 8.2/10 on average — Decent period conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains November with a score of 8.6/10.

When should you avoid Sal?

September is the most difficult month to visit Sal, with September has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.

Can you swim in Sal in May?

In May, the sea averages 24°C in Sal: pleasant for swimming. Swimming is pleasant without a wetsuit.

Do you need sun protection in Sal in May?

The average UV index reaches 9 in May in Sal (very high), with about 12.8h of daylight. Protection essential.