Are you looking for the best time to visit Florida Keys? No matter when you decide to visit, the Florida Keys promise unforgettable moments! From stunning sunsets to vibrant marine life, each season offers its own unique charm.
Sunny days happen all year long here! While we can’t say there’s a bad time to explore the Florida Keys, fluctuations in weather patterns and crowds do change the experience. Read along to get your answer on the best time to travel to the Florida Keys.
A tour we think you'll love
1) Pick Activities You Can Do All Year Long
There’s less concern about the best time to visit the Florida Keys if you focus on excursions that run all year long. That’s why so many people choose Key West Paddle for one-of-a-kind night kayaking in Key West.
Our guides have the experience and expertise to adjust our tours based on the season. Of course, we always prioritize safety. Our weather policy ensures that you’ll receive a full refund if we need to cancel your tour out of safety concerns. Choose from the following:
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Night Kayak Guided Tour – Cruise through mangrove tunnels in a single or double glass-bottom kayak illuminated by LED lights for a magical journey in shallow, calm waters filled with nocturnal marine life. The clear water provides incredible views of all types of creatures!
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Key West Sandbar Trip – If you prefer a daytime excursion, our popular sandbar trip zips through the mangrove trails to explore Mud Keys, Snipe Point, and the Jewish Basin sandbars. Relax in warm, waist-deep waters as you enjoy rare views that only locals know about! Your friendly and knowledgeable captain will provide water toys, an ice cooler with bottled water and sodas, masks and snorkels, and an inflatable hangout dock.
Come experience the sandbars with us! Key West Paddle offers the experience and local knowledge you want from a tour guide. Whether you come during high season or low season, we’ll tailor your experience to be one of the most memorable days of your life.
2) Come In The Fall Season To Experience Paradise Without The Crowds
By mid October, a lovely calm settles over Key West. By this time, the Atlantic hurricane season is on its way out. You’ll also experience fewer crowds because kids are back in school. All of the hotels and attractions are still weeks away from the Thanksgiving crowds. As a result, October and the middle portion of fall create a sweet spot if you want to save money on a hotel or rental house.
There’s still so much going on in the fall in the Florida Keys. For example, you’re right in the center of the spiny lobster season that runs from Aug. 6 through March 31. In addition, the annual REEF Fest that takes place in Key Largo every October attracts divers and conservationists from around the globe with its diving, snorkeling, eco-tours, and ocean-themed seminars.
Good To Know: October is considered one of the best months of year for snorkeling in Key West, Key Largo, and the rest of the Florida Keys because algae blooms from the summer have subsided to create much clearer water!
3) Come During Dry Season If Predictable Weather Is Important To You
Dry season in the Florida Keys runs from December through April. Unsurprisingly, this is also the region’s “high season” and “peak season.” January is the coldest month of the year in the Florida Keys. However, temperatures still generally hover between 65 degrees Fahrenheit and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. That means you’ll enjoy great weather for sightseeing, excursions, and beach days! Some highlights that add to this being a perfect time to visit include:
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Key West Holiday Parade – Experience the merriment of Christmas time in the Keys as the parade makes its way down Truman Avenue to reach Duval Street and Eaton Street during the first or second Saturday in December each year. Festivities include fun floats, lights, and visits from Santa! This annual parade is part of tropical holiday fun taking place on the Key West waterfront all throughout December.
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Seven Mile Bridge Run – The annual race hosted by the Marathon Runners Club takes place the first week of April.
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Key West Food and Wine Festival – This popular event takes place during the last week of January each year.
Good To Know: Some smaller restaurants and shops here do close down for the winter. In many cases, this is because the owners are snowbirds who return to the Northeast to be with family for a few months. However, all major attractions operate normally all winter long!
4) Come During Summer For Deals
The period lasting from June through October is the wet season in the Florida Keys. While it’s technically considered a bad time to visit, summer often has plenty of good weather to offer. You just have to be flexible about changing plans at the drop of a hat when fronts roll in. During the wet season, the Keys receive roughly 65% of their annual rainfall total for the year.
There are two big reasons why many travelers actually consider this the best time to travel to Florida Keys. The first is that kids are out of school. While some families try to experience the Keys during Thanksgiving and winter breaks, demand drives prices up during winter holidays. This brings us to our second reason why so many visitors don’t mind “chancing it” during hurricane season. They get amazing deals with low prices on everything from hotel rooms to car rentals. Hotels and resorts often offer low prices from late spring through early fall in the Florida Keys simply due to lower demand. There’s also a bonus mini season for spiny lobster that opens just for people who are around on the last Wednesday and Thursday of July!
If you’re thinking about coming to the Florida Keys at any point from summer through fall, it’s important not to be naive about hurricane season. The full Atlantic hurricane season extends from June 1 through Nov. 30. However, peak hurricane activity generally takes place from mid August through mid October. You’ll need to be flexible about plans changing or events being canceled due to forecasts.
Of course, you should also prepare for it to get hot! Just how hot do the Florida Keys get in the summer? The average daytime temperature in July hovers around 90 degrees Fahrenheit. However, strong sun and high humidity can make things feel much hotter.
Good To Know: Preparedness is everything during hurricane season. Hurricanes can bring heavy rain, strong winds, and power outages. Always make sure to be informed of the evacuation route for your hotel or rental house.
5) Come During Spring Break For Mild Weather
March is a busy time in the Florida Keys! Those early weeks of spring when colleges and universities around the country are out for break can be pretty epic here. For people coming from colder climates, the warm and mild weather in the Keys feels like a dream.
This is obviously the ideal time for college students and spring breakers who are off from school. However, anyone looking to take advantage of post-winter warm days before it gets too hot will also find this to be a good time.
Travel Tip: There’s less room for spontaneity if you come in the spring months while schools are on break. Many hotels in popular parts of the Keys experience 100% occupancy rates in March. Additionally, excursions often fill up quickly. Be sure to book all reservations as far in advance as possible.
It’s Fun Here All Year Long – Book Your Florida Keys Getaway
The Florida Keys have something to offer during all four seasons. Whether you’re looking forward to fewer crowds in the off season or you simply travel based on school breaks, it’s easy to make a trip all your own with the right excursions.
At Key West Paddle, we offer year-round night kayaking excursions and sandbar tours. Our excursions are perfect for families, couples, and spring breakers.
Whether you come between Thanksgiving and New Year’s or right in the heart of hurricane season, rest assured that we’ll follow all of the protocols to ensure a safe, fun adventure. Spots do fill up during peak times of the year or when big events are taking place.
Make sure to book your tickets in advance to ensure you don’t miss your opportunity to explore the area in this unique way. Contact Key West Paddle today!
