The best time to visit Key West, Florida, is between March and May. In these spring months, the weather in Key West is pleasant without the humidity and hurricane risk we find in the summer months. The subtropical climate brings a dry season in the winter and spring, followed by a wet season from summer to fall.
While we think Key West has (mostly) great weather year-round, we’d suggest avoiding the sticky and wet summers. They’re generally less comfortable for travelers than the more moderate and drier winter and spring months. (On top of the risk for hurricanes!)
Winter draws large crowds to the Florida Keys to seek sun and escape the cooler parts of North America. Of course, we think winter is a great time to come here, but with a few caveats. During the wintertime, we see hotel prices soaring. We’d recommend booking early to score reservations in the island’s top-rated accommodations.
Still not sure when to go to Key West? Let us help you pick the perfect season and month to visit the most popular island in the Florida Keys with our complete in-depth Key West weather guide…
Weather in Key West
By season
Spring
Kickstart your summer with a springtime visit to Key West. With its ideal temperatures and low humidity, we think spring a great time to visit the island.
In spring, the rainfall and humidity of the summer haven’t set in yet. That gives us plenty of time outdoors to explore many of our favorite Key West attractions. In our opinion, spring is an ideal time to cruise the Dry Tortugas or watch the flowers blooming on a house and garden tour.
Foodies should also consider visiting Key West in the spring. With pink shrimp, spiny lobster, and stone crab in season, it’s a fantastic season to enjoy nightly seafood feasts at the island’s top restaurants.
Water temperatures in spring are cool but refreshing, so you can pack in maximum beach time or try out some water sports. With the smaller crowds, we’ve noticed that visiting at this time of year means there’s no problem grabbing a spot on Key West’s pristine sands.
One caveat: We recommend avoiding the spring break dates if you have a low tolerance for rowdy college kids. (We certainly do!) On the flipside, accommodation prices are low, so you can snap up great deals on some of our favorite hotels on the island.
Summer
Don’t say we didn’t warn you! Summer in Key West always comes with a hurricane risk. In our experience, it may be better to book last minute to avoid bad weather derailing your plans.
Even if there are no storms, we’ve often seen that the humidity and sudden downpours may force you out of the elements.
Luckily, we’ve found some great indoor activities during these wet days, including the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum and the Key West Aquarium.
In summer, we always recommend packing a waterproof jacket and an umbrella and keeping your days spontaneous.
People flock to the coast in summer to escape the soaring temperatures, but we don’t think Florida Keys’ beaches are as idyllic at this time of year. While warm sea water sounds like a dream, the reality is that, from our experience, you’ll have limited options to cool off from the sweltering heat.
Another thing we’ll warn you about: Summers also bring a huge dump of seaweed to our favorite Key West beaches, ruining those white sand photos and leaving an unpleasant odor.
Our summer advice? Book a hotel with a pool. We’ve noticed that many public pools and water parks are jam-packed with families and kids on summer break.
Fall
We’ll admit that it’s hard to put a finger on fall in Key West. A visit to the island in the autumn months may give you sunny blue skies, or it may give you sticky, overcast days and sudden downpours. Oh, and the hurricane risk remains high in early fall, and showers are still likely.
The good news? We finally see temperatures and humidity steadily decrease as the season progresses, bringing respite from the stifling summers. Water temperatures also drop, so your dips in the sea will give you a much-needed refresh on those beach days we’ve come to love on our trips to Key West.
With kids back at school, we finally notice the crowds melt away. And, from our experience planning trips to the Florida Keys, it’ll be easier to find deals at our favorite hotels in Key West. We love the feeling of tranquility and relief in the air after a hot and busy season.
Overall, we think fall is a peaceful time to visit and unwind from everyday life. While the rest of the country is getting their sweaters out, you can come to Key West in autumn if you’re not quite ready to say goodbye to summer yet. (Are we ever?)
Winter
Weather-wise, we think winter is an excellent time to visit Key West. We love the dry, sunny days and fresh ocean breezes that create perfect beach weather and an ideal climate to explore Key West’s stunning natural beauty.
With hurricane season over, you can (finally!) book a break with almost guaranteed sunshine.
Unfortunately, winter is also the peak time for sun-seekers. With many states facing plunging temperatures and snowfall, we see visitors flock to the Florida Keys for some winter warmth.
As the island is small, we’ve noticed that Key West’s most popular attractions fill up fast. This is great if you want a city flooded with life, but we’d suggest being prepared to go with the flow and to have plenty of patience.
We’d also recommend booking far in advance to bag your ideal accommodation—and to expect the prices of everything to soar.
During key holiday dates like Christmas and Thanksgiving, we’ve found it to be almost impossible to land hotel rooms, restaurant tables, and rental cars without organizing our trip months before.
By month
January
January is the coldest month in Key West, but average daily highs still sit at 72°F (22°C). We think the clear blue skies and a water temperature of 69°F (21°C) are the perfect recipe for long days on the water.
There’s a small risk of a cold snap, so we’d recommend packing a light sweater for chillier nights.
The month of January is the peak of the high season, with many visitors drawn here to shake off the dreary January blues. If you’re looking for a cheap January deal, Key West might not be ideal.
We always find higher-than-normal flight and hotel prices at this time of year—and they seem to get booked up fast!
February
From our trip planning experience, we’ve noticed that prices stay high in February, and hotels are often fully booked around Valentine’s Day.
The good news? The weather in Key West in February is pleasant, with average highs increasing slightly to 73°F (23°C). We’ve also learned that February is the driest month of the year on the island, with just 1.5 inches of precipitation on average.
Art lovers should overlap their visit with the Annual Old Island Days Art Festival. Over 100 fine artists come to Key West to promote their oil paintings, photography, and sculptures.
March
The high season winds down in March, so we usually don’t have problems finding good flight and hotel deals. In March, we finally see the island get quieter despite high temperatures averaging a perfect 74°F (23°C).
Our only gripe? March tends to be a peak month for younger visitors unwinding from their studies. We’d highly recommend booking outside of the spring break week to avoid the hordes of drunk college students.
We’ve found plenty of local events in March, too. Attend lively St Patrick’s Day celebrations like the Key Colony Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the St. Patrick’s Day Bar Stroll. Or, for a unique Key West experience, watch the traditional Conch Shell Blowing Contest.
April
We see temperatures start to ramp up in April, with average highs of 77°F (25°C). The sea temperature is an almost perfect 77°F (25°C). Nights remain cool and breezy, with averages of around 70°F (21°C). It’s a dry time to visit, with humidity sitting at around 70%.
The highlight for Key West in April is the Conch Republic Independence Celebration. This 10-day party celebrates the city’s “sovereign state of mind.” Get involved with fun events like pub crawls, drag races, and costume contests.
May
May marks the start of the summer season in Key West. We’ll see temperatures reach 80°F (27°C), but cloud cover increases to 57% by the end of the month. Rainfall also ramps up from 2.3 inches to 5.1 inches.
The month benefits from the quietness of the spring, and locals begin their summertime escape to cooler climates. In our opinion, May is a great time to launch a Key West itinerary if you want the sizzling heat without the crowds.
May is also a great time to visit Key West for vibrant events and culture. Get inspired at the Key West Songwriters Festival, or sink yourself into Cuban life at the Cuban American Heritage Festival.
June
June marks the start of hurricane season in Key West. We’d highly recommend that you have adequate trip cancellation insurance and prepare for sudden downpours.
In June, we see average highs reach 81°F (27°C). But, in our experience, afternoon thunderstorms are the norm. We suggest packing light clothing, a high SPF, and plenty of waterproof layers.
Embrace the tropical vibes at the Mango Fest Key West. Enjoy tastings, cocktails, and competitions that celebrate all things mango. (This is one of our favorite tropical fruits; sign us up!)
Celebrate Pride Month Florida Keys-style at Key West Pride. The festival includes all the joy of a classic Pride, but with added fun, such as pool and beach parties.
July
July is the most humid month of the year in Key West, with humidity expected almost 100% of the time. Combined with an average high temperature of 84°F (29°C), this can be uncomfortable if you’re not used to hot weather.
Average lows in July are 81°F (27°C), and we see humidity staying high throughout the evening. We wouldn’t blame you for abandoning those al fresco dinners in favor of your air-conditioned apartment.
Celebrate Key West’s favorite dessert (and our favorite South Florida dessert!) at the Key Lime Festival. Eating and cooking contests, tasty cocktails, and scavenger hunts make this a tart but sweet event.
August
The hurricane season starts to peak in August, so we suggest booking last minute or making sure all your reservations are refundable. We’d expect to see lots of muggy days and regular storms.
August is also the warmest month in Key West, with average highs of 85°F (29°C).
With the heat and humidity, we think you’ll want to spend plenty of time on boats or at the waterparks, where you can enjoy the cool ocean breeze. Make sure you have some indoor activities as a backup if the rain decides to settle in for the day.
Our favorite August tidbit? Lobster is back in season! Join in to celebrate the annual Key West Lobster Fest, as the whole island comes alive with concerts, food vendors, and a lobster boil.
September
We see temperatures decrease a little in September, but highs are still around 84°F (29°C), and humidity barely falls at all. Unfortunately, we must warn you that your plans aren’t any safer this month; September is still the peak of hurricane season.
In our experience, the island starts to wind down a little as it enters shoulder season. In September, the locals unwind before they gear up for a busy winter. Kids have gone back to school, and Key West embraces its famous relaxed vibe.
Labor Day Weekend brings the Key West Brewfest. It’s a typical beer festival with the added benefit of beachside tastings, pool parties, and day drinking in the sunshine. (This one is totally up our alley!)
October
October is the perfect month to extend our northern summer with warm temperatures and idyllic uncrowded beaches. Although October is still in the throes of hurricane season, we see the rainfall drop drastically from averages of 5.5 inches to 2.8 by the end of the month.
Average highs are still a pleasant 82°F (28°C) and it’s not often that lows drop below 70°F (21°C).
The party ramps up at the end of October with the 10-day extravaganza that is Fantasy Fest. Join in the street party for grown-ups in your fanciest dress and enjoy the street festivities and parades.
November
We’ve got some great news: November is finally the end of hurricane season in Key West. This means we’ll start to see cooler temperatures and much less rain.
Average highs in November drop to a comfortable 78°F (26°C), and we see the chance of a humid day drop to 63%. November is also the start of the snowbird season, with an influx of tourists from the North seeking some sun.
We think Key West is a great place to visit in November if you want to get in the festive mood without the chilly weather. The Key West Harbor Walk of Lights kicks off with the Lighting of the Bight, the official opening ceremony for the nautical-themed light installations.
December
December is a joyful time to visit Key West, with lots of festive cheer, and without the bad weather bringing the northern part of the country down.
Average highs are 75°F (24°C), but we’ve found that nights can be a little cool, with average lows of 67°F (19°C). December is one of Key West’s busiest times; if you’re dreaming of a palm tree Christmas, we’d recommend booking earlier in the year.
Celebrate Key West style at the Schooner Wharf Bar Lighted Boat Parade, as festive boats are illuminated and paraded around Key West’s Historic Seaport.
