Why the Florida Keys in December are a must-visit winter destination

23.12.2024 - 21:05 / lonelyplanet.com

Dec 23, 2024 • 10 min read

If you are inclined to think the Sunshine State is the ideal place to kick back and be yourself, that’s an even truer sentiment in the Florida Keys. Disconnected from the mainland and floating like a string of sandy pearls descending southwest from Homestead, it has long been a come-as-you-are destination with a welcome as warm as the weather.

There’s plenty of outdoors stuff to do, al fresco dining options abound, and did we mention that the temperature averages around 78 degrees year-round? Winters here are not only warm relative to the rest of the country, they’re also the driest time of year in South Florida, so you don’t have to worry about sudden squalls or hurricanes.

In other words, it’s just a different vibe in the Florida Keys. So this winter, while everyone else is suffering gray skies or seeking snow-covered holidays, opt for something different yourself. Keep reading as we explore what to do through the Florida Keys throughout winter.

For the latest protocols on health & safety in The Florida Keys, please visit fla-keys.com

Can you swim in the Florida Keys in December? Yes! Water temperatures remain mild, even as daytime temperatures can sometimes dip. The average daily high ranges from 74 to 76 °F throughout the winter, though the daily average low dips into the mid-60s. If the air temperature is low, wearing a wetsuit will allow you to swim, dive, snorkel and paddleboard comfortably this season. Don’t worry about buying your own – many local snorkel and dive shops rent wet suits.

You get to the Keys by driving south, and south, and more south still, on US 1 out of Homestead. Once US 1 leaves the Florida mainland, it becomes the Overseas Highway, which stretches to Key West. The length of the road is marked by decreasing mile markers (MM), starting with MM 113 right out of Homestead, and ticking down to MM 0 in Key West.

With that said, it’s not immediately obvious you’ve entered an island chain. Mangrove forests extend from the mainland right onto the Upper Keys, the northernmost islands in the chain, so you don’t initially get the sense of driving over water (but trust us, you are). 

Key Largo is the center of activity in the Upper Keys, and the main draw is John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. As parks go, this one is unique in that most of it is located underwater, although there are some nice mangrove boardwalk trails to enjoy. But the real attraction is one of the best-preserved coral reefs in the Lower 48 United States; this underwater wonderland can be accessed via snorkeling and SCUBA tours, or glass-bottom boat trips. One of the underwater park’s highlights is the Christ of the Abyss, a sunken statue of Jesus that attracts divers from all around the world.