The best times to visit Florida to get more from the Sunshine State

18.09.2023 - 12:45 / lonelyplanet.com / Sunshine State

With spectacular year-round sunshine, never-ending entertainment and action-packed activities, there’s certainly no bad time to visit Florida. But depending on your interests and what you’re trying to find (or avoid) when you get here, there’s likely to be a “best time” to come.

Although northerners consider sun-drenched Florida a four-season dreamland, the state's tropical and subtropical climate is subject to intense fluctuations. Temperatures also vary dramatically from the northern Panhandle to the southern Keys, especially during winter when there’s a chilly bite to the northern air.

Summer (June–August) is often unbearably hot, though the rainy season (mid-May to mid-October), brings brief, biblical downpours providing respite from the heat. And, of course, there's the dreaded hurricane season from June through November. But each season has its merits; here's what you need to know to pick the best time to come.

For maximum comfort, aim for December through May. Plenty of snowbirds dot Florida's beaches until March or April, and they’re here for smart reasons. The sun is shining, the weather is dry and (tolerably) hot, there's minimal rain (December is Florida’s driest month) and the hurricane gods are fast asleep! But unless you enjoy the chill, avoid the Panhandle at this time of year.

There are some big events on the calendar too, from college football to Miami's Art Deco Weekend, the Florida State Fair, the Edison Festival of Light in Fort Myers and Mardi Gras in Pensacola.

Hordes of party-seeking spring breakers descend on Florida beaches during the March break (which runs into April for some colleges and campuses). Many bars and nightclubs eagerly await this pilgrimage, knowing weeks of raucous, endless partying are on visitors' energy-packed agendas. Daytona Beach, Miami, Panama City Beach and Jacksonville are the big hotspots these days.

Although they’re seen year-round in Florida, dolphin sightings are more common during the summer mating season. A great place to view frisky dolphins in the early morning or mid-afternoon is on the Gulf Coast near the town of Destin. Popular viewing spots include Henderson State Beach Park, Okaloosa Island Pier, Miramar Beach and Crystal Beach. Guided dolphin excursions are an excellent opportunity to get close to these playful, rambunctious creatures.

In May and October, the gorgeous southern beaches are blissfully uncrowded, the sun’s shining, there’s little rain, and the ocean feels like bath water (though hurricanes can occasionally activate the Jacuzzi jets in October). And you can still find plenty of off-season bargains. Diehard sun worshippers, however, should wait until June to August for the ultimate sizzle!

Pack your waterproof sunblock! Summer brings