When is the Best Time to Visit Key West?
With constant sunshine, warm weather, and turquoise waters, Key West offers an incredible year-round vacation destination. Deciding the best time to visit Key West depends on your personal preferences and what you want to do during your visit. Whether you are looking to escape the cold or want to enjoy fewer crowds during the slower seasons, Rent Key West Vacations has the perfect property waiting for you!
Winter (December-March)
Month High / Low (°F)
December 77° / 70°
January 75° / 67°
February 76° / 68
Photo: The Florida Keys & Key West
Winter is the most popular time to visit Key West, attracting snowbirds from around the world looking to escape the cold. The average winter high is a beautiful 75 degrees and the low temperatures usually only fluctuate down 10 degrees, and winter offers minimal rainfall. Celebrate the holidays in Key West with annual events like the Key West Holiday Parade, Lighted Boat Parade, and New Year’s Eve at various countdowns and celebrations around the island. Discover more information about Events Welcoming the New Year with Rent Key West Vacations!
Keep in mind that the influx of tourists also makes this the most expensive season to plan your visit. Accommodations, tours, and experiences fill up fast in the peak season. Advanced reservations are highly recommended during our winter season of perpetual summer.
People from around the globe descend upon the island in January for delicious delectables during the internationally acclaimed Key West Food and Wine Festival. January also gathers a multitude of readers and writers for the Key West Literary Seminar which always garners the highest reviews! In addition to tepid temperatures, February offers the longstanding Old Island Days Arts Festival featuring fine arts and crafts at events, galleries and openair street markets.
Spring (March-June)
Month High / Low (°F)
March 78° / 70°
April 82 ° / 74°
May 85° / 77°
Spring is a beautiful season to visit Key West, with warmer weather, and fewer crowds than the winter. The exception to this is spring break, usually around March, when many families, young professionals and some college students plan their visits. Spring is a popular time for swimming, fishing, snorkeling, visiting gardens, and wildlife watching. St. Patrick’s Day in Key West offers a myriad of activities from bar strolls, 5 & 10K walk/runs, to themed boat excursions and more.
A visit during April or May enables you to enjoy all your favorite activities without the spring break crowds! The annual Conch Republic Independence Celebration at the end of April offers a fun glimpse into how “Key West Seceded Where Others Have Failed”. Learn more about planning your Spring Getaway in Key West.
Summer (June-September)
Month High / Low (°F)
June 88° / 80°7 days
July 90° / 81°8 days
August 91° / 81°10 days
Key West summer is the hottest time of the year and the start of hurricane season, so be prepared for the possibility of some passing rain showers. Summer is the second most popular time to visit Key West, welcoming an influx of families enjoying school breaks. Water is at its clearest and warmest in the summer, ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and diving.
Summer is the best time to visit Key West for travelers who want to join us for festivals! Key West Pride and MangoFest both occur in June. July 4th includes the traditional fireworks, festivities and The Mermaid and Key Lime Festivals; and Hemingway Days later in the month. Also, the very popular Lobsterfest is held in August.
Fall (September-November)
Month High / Low (°F)
September 89° / 80°
October 85° / 78°
November 79° / 72°
Photo: Tripadvisor
Fall is the low season in Key West and the best time to visit for travelers looking for fewer crowds, lower priced accommodations, and travel incentive flight pricing. The beginning of September offers the annual Key West BrewFest with tastings and pairings on the beach and at venues around the island. The island also welcomes thousands of women for the event-packed annual WomenFest! Fantasy Fest is at the end of October and is the most popular fall event, welcoming up to 75,000 travelers each year! Join us for ten days of costumes, parades, libations, and excitement this October!
November kicks off with the Race World Offshore Key West Championships featuring the world’s top power boat racers vying for the prestigious title, prizes and more. Each November, also attracts film aficionados to the island for the highly praised Key West Film Festival. It always receives two thumbs up!
We all have a lot to be thankful for on this island of Key West, especially all of us who are fortunate enough to be able to celebrate Thanksgiving here in paradise. Plan a Thanksgiving getaway with Rent Key West Vacations and celebrate the holiday island style!
Visit Key West
Year-Round with
Rent Key West Vacations
So, when is the best time to visit Key West? Anytime! Rent Key West Vacations offers excellent rental properties to host your getaway year-round. Browse over 60 Key West vacation rentals and let our knowledgeable staff help you customize your vacation. Please call our reservation specialists at 1-800-833-7368 for more information!
