Palinurus charlestoni is a species of spiny lobster which is endemic to the waters of Cape Verde. It grows to a total length of 50 cm (20 in) and can be distinguished from other Atlantic species in the genus by the pattern of horizontal bands on its legs. It was discovered by French fishermen in 1963, and has been the subject of small-scale fishery since. It is thought to be overexploited, and is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.

The total length of Palinurus charlestoni can reach 50 centimetres (20 in), with the average size around 40 cm (16 in). Like other spiny lobsters, it has five pairs of pereiopods (walking legs), but no chelae (claws). In life, P. charlestoni is red to violet, but quite variable in colour. The carapace is red with white spots, while the abdomen is red with sharp white stripes on either side of the midline. P. charlestoni can be distinguished from the other Atlantic species of Palinurus by overall colouration (being less brown than the other species), and more specifically by the patterns on the pereiopods; in P. mauritanicus, they are mottled and in P. elephas they are marked with longitudinal stripes, but in P. charlestoni, they are marked with narrow white bands alternating with wider red bands.

Distribution and ecology Palinurus charlestoni is endemic to the Cape Verde archipelago.