The best time to visit Key West: a month-by-month guide

14.11.2024 - 19:09 / lonelyplanet.com

Nov 13, 2024 • 7 min read

With high temperatures hovering between the mid 70s°F and lower 90s°F year-round, is there really a bad time to visit Key West? For those seeking a tropical island paradise and the warm vibes that come with it, there isn’t.

Waters spanning the blue color spectrum, international culinary delights and an aquatic underworld like no other are guarantees for any Key West adventure. But to avoid crowds, maximize your money and minimize your chances of a weather-related encounter, there are optimal times for a visit. Here's how to plan the perfect Key West trip.

Best time to escape frigid temps

For folks needing or wanting a reprieve from frigid climates, winter is a dreamy – and popular – time for a vacation. Snowbird season, as it's known, traditionally happens between October and May, when folks from the northern states leave their freezing-cold towns to reside in sunny Florida, and peaks between January and March, when Key West averages just three to four days of rain per month and daily temperatures hover in the mid- to upper-70s. 

An overlap of snowbirds and spring breakers makes March the pinnacle of peak season in Key West. This is when you’ll find some of the highest prices for lodging, along with swelling crowds. 

The Key West Food & Wine Festival, one of the area's biggest annual events, typically falls at the end of January, giving the masses another reason to visit early in the year. Also in January, Mile 0 Fest draws crowds for a multi-day lineup of live music on stages big and small by established and up-and-coming artists.

Best time for those who can handle the heat

Summer in South Florida is not a joke. It’s hot and humid, and you should come prepared to sweat and sweat some more. For some people, this may be a deterrent and for others, a steamy delight. The hottest time of year is between June and August, with average temps floating in the upper 80s to low 90s.

From fishing and kayaking to swimming and scuba, the best way to cool off when visiting Key West in the summer is to head to the water. The easy-to-access beach near Fort Zachary Taylor is a popular spot for snorkelers, with many fish surrounding the beautiful coral reefs. (Note: there is a small entry fee to access this beach.) 

Smathers Beach is a popular free option for sunbathers, swimmers and snorkelers on the southern side of Key West, just off Highway AIA. Higgs Beach is a small, lesser-known beach with a pier, playground, nearby dog park, tennis and pickleball courts and a short fitness trail. Although you’ll need a reservation on the ferry or your own boat to get there, Dry Tortugas National Park has incredible locations for underwater and on-land exploration. 

Though the nearby village of Islamorada