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| Best time to visit Key West is January to May |
The off season (June to December) has its charms, but big downsides you need to be aware of, as I explain below.
See below for a month by month guide 📆 to visiting Key West….
See below for a month by month guide 📆 to visiting Key West….
KEY WEST VISIT FAQs 🏝
I'm only coming for the weather 🌞 - when is the very best month to visit?
I'm only coming for the weather 🌞 - when is the very best month to visit?
March very best, but will be good January through May.
Recently January has been a bit cold and wet so my recommendation is now to come February or March.
When is it busiest in Key West?
March is always the busiest month. And, yep, it's really busy.
If I come in March, and great weather is my only priority, what are my chances I'll be disappointed?
Very unlikely. Less than 5% chance you'll be disappointed. The temperature will be just right (mid to high 70s or higher), unlikely to rain, little humidity, lots of blue skies.
Is it like this all year round? There are no BAD months to visit, right?
Wrong. It gets super humid July to November. Makes it very sweaty and uncomfortable being in Key West. You can also get some big rain days during this time.
I want it cheap, I'm on super budget - when is the best time to visit?
July to September or right after Fantasy Fest (beginning of November) through to end November. (
Is there anything to do in Key West apart from sit by the pool?
Top things to do in Key West
I'm visiting from UK or Europe. Is this good idea?
Yes - that's what I do - see post here on how easy it is to travel to Key West from London and Europe.
Is it good to visit Key West for a specific event or festival?
Yes and Key West has a festival almost every week!
How tropical is Key West? Is it like the Caribbean?
Tropical means blue skies, palm trees, heat, strong sun, laid back "island life" vibe, sea, beaches, and peace / tranquillity. Key West does all of these pretty well except the last two. Key West only has two beaches, only one of them is any good, and it's small. You can find peace and tranquillity on Key West definitely, but just round the corner it can be mad, crazy, busy (as you'd expect from a party island, famous around the world, and which is visited by 4m tourists every year).
How long should I visit Key West for, and what is the best way to travel?
At least 4 days. By car on the trip down the Keys, but you'll not need the car during the time you are in Key West as it's a walking town.
Go to my Key West vacation planning post for more detailed answers to these questions.
How quiet is Key West in the off season?
In the off season (July through to Fantasy Fest in late October) Key West is 50% to 60% less busy than peak. It's quiet and sleepy. Bars can get really empty and quiet. It's not good time for party, but good for relaxing. And hotels and B&Bs are definitely cheaper. The downside is the humidity which really makes a difference.
Next, let's look at Key West's weather. Here's some good news:
The weather in Key West is awesome, and for most of the year - see month by month, below.
When should you visit to get the best weather?
January
Can be a little on the cold side (60s) and even colder at night. Can be quite rainy too. My recommendation is that you avoid January and visit February or March if getting the best weather is your priority.
The peak season: Feb to April
It's fantastic weather. Little rain, average temperatures in the 80s and Key West is busy, busy, busy. Hotel and guesthouse occupancy rates near 100%. It really is very busy and lively. Bars are packed, you need reservations in many restaurants. Hotels and guesthouses charge their highest rates.
The shoulder seasons: May, June; and November and December
Starting to get hot and humid. Quite often cheaper hotel rates can be found from June onwards. Still quite busy.
The off peak season: July, August, September, October
Hot (which means early 90s temperature), but the real problem is the humidity: it's drippingly humid. Hotel and guesthouse prices 40% lower than peak season highs. Key West is quiet, a small number of restaurants even close down totally for a month or two (they take their vacations during these months). So it's not deserted, but blissfully quiet!
August and September are peak rain months and so you could get some rainy days, but if you're lucky the rain will fall in the night (strangely, this is a Key West thing - the rain falls much more at night rather than like in Miami where it falls a lot during the day).
Month by month guide
New Year - Key West is very busy for new year, hotels and guest houses will charge super extra premium to stay for New Year's Eve. The week after is a little quieter and nice time to visit.
January
Risk of it being a little cold and disappointing. Maybe better to come February or March.
Feb and March - Lovely, perfect weather. Very little rain. KW is the hottest place in America during these months. If you don't mind the high cost of hotels, and like it busy, busy, busy then this is the time for you. Bars will be full, Duval Street will be extra crazy, better restaurants will need reservations. Room rates are likely to be 40% more expensive than off peak time. Can be a little chilly in the evenings in January and February, hence why I think March or April is perfect month to visit.
March - watch for Spring Break, yes, even in Key West. If you don't like Spring Break, go in April. I'm going to try and avoid March from now on because of Spring Break. It's not a major Spring Break destination, no where near as bad as Miami for example, but I'd still rather avoid the Breakers because they are loud!
April through June - Great weather and KW is busy, but just a little less mad busy than Jan to March. You'll find some bargain room rates in April and by the time we get to May (the official end to the high season) even in the best places and hotels, room rates will be reduced. Expect room rates in May to be 40% lower than in February.
July through August - Snowbirds go back north to home, only the die hard locals are left and a smaller number of tourists. It won't be that you will be the only tourists in town but visitor numbers are 50% less than January. Hotels are cheaper. Humidity takes hold. It's hot and very very sweaty. It's quiet around town but most places are open. If you don't mind the humidity then it's good time to visit. After all, you're in shorts all the time and have a swimming pool at your disposal!
August and September are peak rain months and so you could get some rainy days, but if you're lucky the rain will fall in the night.
September - Really humid. Rains most days in the morning for a short while. Then it stops raining but it becomes even more humid! But many restaurants, some art galleries and some B&Bs close. Key West business people and staff have to vacation sometime and this is when they choose to quit the island, shutting up their restaurants for weeks on end.
Some restaurants close fully for this period. The flip side to this is that:
Recently January has been a bit cold and wet so my recommendation is now to come February or March.
When is it busiest in Key West?
March is always the busiest month. And, yep, it's really busy.
If I come in March, and great weather is my only priority, what are my chances I'll be disappointed?
Very unlikely. Less than 5% chance you'll be disappointed. The temperature will be just right (mid to high 70s or higher), unlikely to rain, little humidity, lots of blue skies.
Is it like this all year round? There are no BAD months to visit, right?
Wrong. It gets super humid July to November. Makes it very sweaty and uncomfortable being in Key West. You can also get some big rain days during this time.
I want it cheap, I'm on super budget - when is the best time to visit?
July to September or right after Fantasy Fest (beginning of November) through to end November. (
Is there anything to do in Key West apart from sit by the pool?
Top things to do in Key West
I'm visiting from UK or Europe. Is this good idea?
Yes - that's what I do - see post here on how easy it is to travel to Key West from London and Europe.
Is it good to visit Key West for a specific event or festival?
Yes and Key West has a festival almost every week!
How tropical is Key West? Is it like the Caribbean?
Tropical means blue skies, palm trees, heat, strong sun, laid back "island life" vibe, sea, beaches, and peace / tranquillity. Key West does all of these pretty well except the last two. Key West only has two beaches, only one of them is any good, and it's small. You can find peace and tranquillity on Key West definitely, but just round the corner it can be mad, crazy, busy (as you'd expect from a party island, famous around the world, and which is visited by 4m tourists every year).
How long should I visit Key West for, and what is the best way to travel?
At least 4 days. By car on the trip down the Keys, but you'll not need the car during the time you are in Key West as it's a walking town.
Go to my Key West vacation planning post for more detailed answers to these questions.
How quiet is Key West in the off season?
In the off season (July through to Fantasy Fest in late October) Key West is 50% to 60% less busy than peak. It's quiet and sleepy. Bars can get really empty and quiet. It's not good time for party, but good for relaxing. And hotels and B&Bs are definitely cheaper. The downside is the humidity which really makes a difference.
Next, let's look at Key West's weather. Here's some good news:
The weather in Key West is awesome, and for most of the year - see month by month, below.
When should you visit to get the best weather?
January
Can be a little on the cold side (60s) and even colder at night. Can be quite rainy too. My recommendation is that you avoid January and visit February or March if getting the best weather is your priority.
The peak season: Feb to April
It's fantastic weather. Little rain, average temperatures in the 80s and Key West is busy, busy, busy. Hotel and guesthouse occupancy rates near 100%. It really is very busy and lively. Bars are packed, you need reservations in many restaurants. Hotels and guesthouses charge their highest rates.
The shoulder seasons: May, June; and November and December
Starting to get hot and humid. Quite often cheaper hotel rates can be found from June onwards. Still quite busy.
The off peak season: July, August, September, October
Hot (which means early 90s temperature), but the real problem is the humidity: it's drippingly humid. Hotel and guesthouse prices 40% lower than peak season highs. Key West is quiet, a small number of restaurants even close down totally for a month or two (they take their vacations during these months). So it's not deserted, but blissfully quiet!
August and September are peak rain months and so you could get some rainy days, but if you're lucky the rain will fall in the night (strangely, this is a Key West thing - the rain falls much more at night rather than like in Miami where it falls a lot during the day).
New Year - Key West is very busy for new year, hotels and guest houses will charge super extra premium to stay for New Year's Eve. The week after is a little quieter and nice time to visit.
January
Risk of it being a little cold and disappointing. Maybe better to come February or March.
Feb and March - Lovely, perfect weather. Very little rain. KW is the hottest place in America during these months. If you don't mind the high cost of hotels, and like it busy, busy, busy then this is the time for you. Bars will be full, Duval Street will be extra crazy, better restaurants will need reservations. Room rates are likely to be 40% more expensive than off peak time. Can be a little chilly in the evenings in January and February, hence why I think March or April is perfect month to visit.
 |
| The downside to January through April in Key West is the crowds. In the picture above visitors are packed in to every available space at Blue Heaven restaurant. |
April through June - Great weather and KW is busy, but just a little less mad busy than Jan to March. You'll find some bargain room rates in April and by the time we get to May (the official end to the high season) even in the best places and hotels, room rates will be reduced. Expect room rates in May to be 40% lower than in February.
August and September are peak rain months and so you could get some rainy days, but if you're lucky the rain will fall in the night.
 |
| Key West is a tropical destination and so when it rains, it rains! Above on Duval Street in Key West. The wettest months are August and September. |
Some restaurants close fully for this period. The flip side to this is that:
- lots of good restaurants DO stay open, and
- in those you can always get a table without booking
- the locals have more time to chat to you
- several restaurants do special offer menus, at 30% off prices outside of off season
- BIG bargains can be had on room rates - ring / email and negotiate!
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| A storm in Key West means a day of wind and rain. This in October. |
November - humidity reducing. OK time to visit. Can be not as warm as you'd like, especially at night.
December - Humidity totally gone, party time is back. Getting busy again. Weather good, can be cool(ish) at night but hot during the day. I've still to this day NEVER worn anything but shorts in Key West.
I strongly recommend first time visitors stick to peak season (Feb to April - 🌞) but not January (can be a little to cold).
As I said above, the absolute temperatures are never a problem in Key West, it's never been over 100 degrees here. The problem is the humidity in summer. This makes it feel over 100 degrees and very uncomfortable. That's why so few visitors come here July to November.
Here are some average daily highs in degrees F:
January 75
February 76
May 85
August 90
October 85
December 77
Rain - averages
Here's when Key West's 39 inches of rain fall - the % are how much of the year's total falls in that month (data from Weather Channel):
🌀🌀🌀
Should I be worried about Hurricane season in Key West?
Basically, no.
Here's why: Hurricane season is 1 June to end of November. Key West is never complacent about hurricanes, as it and the Keys has a long history with hurricanes. But it's unlikely your vacation will be disrupted.
KW last took a direct hit in 1998 by Hurricane Georges (September 24, the eye passed very close to Key West, the island was evacuated of tourists, 7000 locals remained). Often the KW is impacted by "smaller" tropical storms, or the fringes of storms - for example, Tropical Storm Isaac in August 2012. These "smaller" storms do happen in the summer months, especially August to October, and if you're unlucky enough to be here then you're vacation WILL be impacted: you'll loose a few days to dreadful weather.
The bottom line is: if you want the absolute guarantee of great weather, don't come July to November! Only come during these times if you are here for Fantasy Fest, or you enjoy Key West a little quieter, with less tourists clogging up the island!
- The highest recorded temperature was 100°F in 1886.
- On average, the coolest month is January.
- The lowest recorded temperature was 41°F in 1981.
- The maximum average rain occurs in September.
If this post has been interesting / useful or if you want to ask me a question - please leave a comment below. I check the comments every day and I'd really appreciate a comment! thanks, David 💗👍
Other posts on my blog you might like:
Top 11 Things to do in Key West
14 things to know when planning a Key West vacation
Does anyone know if it is difficult travelling by RV to Key West? My partner and I have a 32 ft 2011 RV and would like to visit Key West but are a little concerned about travelling US 1 in the RV. Any advice? Answers to the email address below would be greatly appreciated!
ReplyDeleteTHanks in advance!
mgrk@att.net
We traveled with a 39 ft 5th wheel and camped at the KOA in Key West. No problems traveling there and back. A bit of work backing into the tight campsites, other than that no problems.
DeleteMark - I have seen RVs on US1 - but i am no expert. for questions like this you really need an RV expert - see the TripAdvisor forum for KW:http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowForum-g34345-i53-Key_West_Florida_Keys_Florida.html
ReplyDelete