Best time to visit Florida Keys

December to April. Month by month below, with the weather, what's on and what it costs to fly there from your city.

December to April

The dry season from December to April has the best weather; March and April are called especially good. It is also the priciest and busiest stretch.

“The best time to visit Key West is during the dry season from December to April, with March and April being especially optimal.” avantstay.com
“Best weather: Winter and early spring” keywestvacationhomes.com
“For those seeking the quintessential winter vacation, December is unique with the lights above and holiday festivals.” keyscaribbean.com

4 of the 5 travel guides we read name these months.

Florida Keys month by month

Average high and low in Key West, and days with rain

Best timeJanuary76°F / 66°F · 7 rainy daysChecking fares…Cool, dry conditions, peak tourist season and highest costs.Winter days hover around 70°F with nights near 50°F.Florida Keys Seafood Festival · Mile 0 Fest
Best timeFebruary77°F / 67°F · 5 rainy daysChecking fares…Perfect temperatures, busy crowds and a festival period.February is suggested for avoiding cold snaps.
Best timeMarch80°F / 69°F · 5 rainy daysChecking fares…Warm days, spring break visitors and excellent weather.March and April are popular because of spring break and festivals.Taste of Key West
Best timeApril83°F / 73°F · 5 rainy daysChecking fares…Ideal conditions and comfortable humidity; shoulder season starts.The spring break rush ends in mid-April.Key West Songwriters Festival
May86°F / 76°F · 8 rainy daysChecking fares…May is quieter and more relaxed than March and April.May and June can bring good deals.
June89°F / 79°F · 11 rainy daysChecking fares…Hot days arrive, the wet season begins and tourists thin out.Hurricane season can hit from June to late November.Key West Pride · Key Lime Festival
July90°F / 81°F · 12 rainy daysChecking fares…Peak heat and humidity, storm season and the lowest prices.Visitors taper off in the weeks after Independence Day.One source counts July and August as high season.
August91°F / 81°F · 15 rainy daysChecking fares…The hottest month, with tropical storm potential and great deals.Storms are frequent from June to November, especially mid-August to mid-October.Key West Lobsterfest
September89°F / 79°F · 16 rainy daysChecking fares…Hurricane season peaks; hot and humid with excellent bargains.September and October have the fewest crowds.Key West BrewFest
October86°F / 77°F · 12 rainy daysChecking fares…Fantasy Fest is held in October.Weather improves in October as shoulder season returns.Storms are frequent from June to November, especially mid-August to mid-October.Fantasy Fest
November81°F / 72°F · 6 rainy daysChecking fares…Cooling temperatures, returning crowds and the holiday season begins.By November humidity drops and crowds start to return.Key West Powerboat World Championship
Best timeDecember78°F / 68°F · 6 rainy daysChecking fares…Perfect weather returns and peak season begins.December brings holiday lights and festivals.Holidays attract crowds and drive up hotel prices.Schooner Wharf Lighted Boat Parade

Weather: Key West averages from NOAA (1961 to 1990 averages), as listed in its climate table on Wikipedia.

Every date to Key West from your city

Live fares from your airport. Watch them and we alert you when they drop.

What's on in Florida Keys

Festivals and seasons through the year

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

December to AprilPeak periods with exceptional weather, bigger crowds and elevated prices.
December to FebruaryThe most popular time to visit; prices are higher and availability is tighter.
January to April, July, August and DecemberOne source lists this as high season.

Quietest

June to OctoberHot and muggy, with the greatest deals and smaller crowds.
September to NovemberOne source lists this as low season with little crowding.

Watch for

June to NovemberHurricane season; a severe hurricane can ruin a trip, though there is usually several days notice.
Mid-August to mid-OctoberStorms are most frequent.
ChristmasDo not expect hotel bargains; holidays drive up prices.
WinterThe water is colder, a drawback for divers.
Lobster mini-seasonMany people visit for lobster fishing, which crowds the Keys.

Questions people ask

What is the high season in the Florida Keys?: December to April for Key West, with bigger crowds and higher prices. One source also counts July and August.
What month to avoid Key West?: Mid-August to mid-October has the most frequent storms; September is the hurricane peak. Prices are lowest then.
What is the weather like in Key West in early May?: Warm, with fewer crowds before summer. May is quieter than March and April.

Best time to visit Florida Keys

December to April

Florida Keys month by month

Every date to Key West from your city

What's on in Florida Keys

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Quietest

Watch for

Questions people ask

More about Florida Keys

Best time to visit other places

Best time to visit Florida Keys

December to April

Florida Keys month by month

Every date to Key West from your city

What's on in Florida Keys

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Quietest

Watch for

Questions people ask

More about Florida Keys

Best time to visit other places