Weather in Fogo Island

About Fogo Island

Fogo Island erupts dramatically from the Atlantic, its active volcano rising 2,829 metres and dominating the horizon. The smaller islands cluster nearby while lava flows have blackened the landscape and covered old settlements.

Country

Cape Verde

Best months to visit

April, May, June, July, October, November

Currency

CVE

Language

Portuguese, Cape Verdean Creole

Things to do in Fogo Island

Hike the active volcano crater Explore lava-covered villages Hike Pico de Fogo peak Tour wine plantations Visit geothermal springs Kayak coastal waters

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

January

16C

Cool, and mostly sunny skies.

February

16C

Cool, and mostly sunny skies.

March

17C

Cool, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

April

18C

Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

May

19C

Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

June

20C

Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

July

19C

Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.

August

19C

Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.

September

19C

Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.

Recommended

October

20C

Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.

Recommended

November

19C

Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.

December

17C

Cool, and mostly sunny skies.

Fogo Island is dominated by Pico do Fogo, an active volcano whose last major eruption in 2014 buried part of the crater village of Chã das Caldeiras under lava, yet residents have rebuilt and still grow distinctive volcanic-soil wines and coffee on its slopes. Hiking to the summit for sunrise over the caldera and surrounding ocean is one of Cape Verde's most striking experiences, found nowhere else in the archipelago.

Best areas to stay in Fogo Island

São Filipe

The main town, with colonial-era houses, a black-sand beach and the island's main services.

Chã das Caldeiras

The village inside the volcanic caldera, rebuilt after the 2014 eruption, with vineyards and guesthouses.

Pico do Fogo

The volcano itself, with hiking trails to the crater rim and summit.

Mosteiros

A coastal village on the north of the island with dramatic cliffs and a quieter pace.

Getting to Fogo Island

✈

Flights

Fly into São Filipe (Fogo) via Praia (Santiago Island), with connecting flights within Cape Verde.

⏱

From London

~7-8 hours from London including connections via Lisbon and Praia.

🚕

Getting around

A hired car, taxi or guided tour from São Filipe is needed to reach Chã das Caldeiras and the volcano trails.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Fogo?

November to June offers drier conditions better suited to hiking the volcano; the wetter months (August-October) can make trails muddy.

Can you hike Pico do Fogo?

Yes — guided hikes (required) ascend to the crater rim and sometimes the summit, often timed for sunrise; it's a strenuous but rewarding full-day or early-morning hike.

What happened in the 2014 eruption?

Lava flows destroyed much of the village of Chã das Caldeiras inside the caldera; residents have since rebuilt homes and vineyards on and around the new lava fields.

Is Fogo known for wine?

Yes — vineyards grown in volcanic soil inside the caldera produce a distinctive local wine, with tastings available at small wineries in Chã das Caldeiras.

How do you get around Fogo?

Hired cars, taxis and organised tours from São Filipe (the main town) are the main ways to reach the volcano and caldera villages.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

Hiking up Pico do Fogo for sunrise was one of the most incredible things I've ever done — and meeting people who rebuilt their village right next to the lava field was humbling.

Lucas F. · March 2024

★★★★★

The wine from Chã das Caldeiras was a fun surprise — grown in literal lava fields. The guide explained the eruption history really well.

Inês R. · January 2023

★★★★☆

São Filipe was a relaxed base, and the drive up toward the caldera through changing landscapes was almost as impressive as the hike itself.

Daniel V. · November 2022