The sea temperature at Key West today is 27.2 °C (81 °F) – refreshing to pleasantly warm water, ideal for most people. The usual October average is 28.6 °C. The forecast for the next 3 days is 27.4 to 27.8 °C. Over the last 30 days the sea has cooled from 29.9 °C to 27.2 °C. Swimmable all year – the sea averages 23 °C or more in every month. Source: Sea Temp Map (seatempmap.com) – NASA MUR satellite data and the Copernicus Marine sea forecast.
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22.4°C / 72.2°F | 23.3°C / 74.0°F | 24.1°C / 75.4°F |
| February | 22.7°C / 72.8°F | 23.7°C / 74.6°F | 24.7°C / 76.5°F |
| March | 24.3°C / 75.7°F | 24.9°C / 76.8°F | 25.5°C / 78.0°F |
| April | 25.5°C / 77.9°F | 26.0°C / 78.8°F | 26.7°C / 80.1°F |
| May | 27.6°C / 81.6°F | 28.2°C / 82.7°F | 28.7°C / 83.7°F |
| June | 28.8°C / 83.8°F | 29.4°C / 84.9°F | 29.9°C / 85.8°F |
| July | 29.7°C / 85.4°F | 30.4°C / 86.8°F | 31.3°C / 88.3°F |
| August | 30.3°C / 86.6°F | 30.8°C / 87.5°F | 31.4°C / 88.5°F |
| September | 30.1°C / 86.2°F | 30.5°C / 86.8°F | 30.7°C / 87.2°F |
| October | 28.1°C / 82.5°F | 28.6°C / 83.5°F | 28.9°C / 84.0°F |
| November | 26.0°C / 78.8°F | 26.5°C / 79.7°F | 27.1°C / 80.7°F |
| December | 24.0°C / 75.1°F | 24.8°C / 76.6°F | 25.3°C / 77.5°F |
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21.6°C / 70.8°F | 21.7°C / 71.0°F | 21.8°C / 71.2°F |
| February | 22.6°C / 72.7°F | 22.8°C / 73.0°F | 23.0°C / 73.4°F |
| March | 23.6°C / 74.4°F | 23.8°C / 74.8°F | 24.0°C / 75.2°F |
| April | 24.5°C / 76.2°F | 24.8°C / 76.7°F | 25.1°C / 77.2°F |
| May | 26.3°C / 79.3°F | 26.7°C / 80.0°F | 27.0°C / 80.6°F |
| June | 27.4°C / 81.4°F | 27.7°C / 81.9°F | 27.9°C / 82.2°F |
| July | 28.4°C / 83.1°F | 28.7°C / 83.7°F | 28.9°C / 84.0°F |
| August | 28.6°C / 83.5°F | 28.9°C / 84.0°F | 28.9°C / 84.1°F |
| September | 28.0°C / 82.4°F | 28.3°C / 82.9°F | 28.4°C / 83.0°F |
| October | 26.5°C / 79.6°F | 26.8°C / 80.2°F | 26.8°C / 80.3°F |
| November | 24.7°C / 76.5°F | 24.9°C / 76.8°F | 25.0°C / 77.0°F |
| December | 23.1°C / 73.5°F | 23.3°C / 73.9°F | 23.4°C / 74.0°F |
5-year averages (2021–2025). Min/Max are typical daily lows and highs, not record extremes. (Copernicus ERA5)
Key West holidays
Key West is a small limestone island at the end of the Overseas Highway, about 180 km of road and bridges from mainland Florida and closer to Cuba than to Miami; more islands of the Florida Keys lie farther west. Its Old Town has wooden houses with verandas, bars along Duval Street and a harbour full of boats.
Beaches
The beach at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, at the south-western tip of Key West, is popular for snorkelling, with clear water and rocks close to shore; the sand is coarse, so water shoes help. Smathers Beach, a long stretch of imported sand on the south shore, is a popular public beach with water sports rentals. Higgs Beach, near the White Street Pier, is smaller and calmer. The water off Key West is shallow, with seagrass in places. The sea temperature on this page is measured off Fort Zachary Taylor.
Things to do
Mallory Square, on the waterfront of Key West's Old Town, hosts a sunset celebration every evening with street performers. The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, where the writer lived in the 1930s, is known for its many six-toed cats, and the Harry S. Truman Little White House was the president's winter retreat. A striped buoy known as the Southernmost Point is a Key West landmark, although it is not the true southern tip of the continental United States. Dry Tortugas National Park, with the huge brick Fort Jefferson, lies about 110 km to the west and is reached by ferry or seaplane. Snorkelling and diving trips visit the coral reef offshore.
Weather and best time to visit
At Key West the sea stays above 23 °C / 73 °F all year, even in the coolest month.
Key West has a tropical climate and is warm all year. December to April is the dry season and the busiest time, with sunny days and fewer mosquitoes. From June to October the air is hot and humid, with afternoon thunderstorms, and the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November. Winter cold fronts occasionally bring cooler, windier days.
Hotels and where to stay
The Old Town of Key West, around Duval Street and the harbour, is the liveliest area, with historic guesthouses and hotels within walking distance of the sights. Resorts with their own beaches stand on the south shore, and New Town, towards the airport, has more chain hotels.
Signature hotels: Casa Marina Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton (Reynolds Street) · Pier House Resort & Spa (Duval Street)
Airport and getting there
Key West International Airport (EYW) lies about 5 km east of Old Town, a short taxi ride away, with flights from several US cities. Miami International Airport is about 260 km away, a drive of around four hours along the Overseas Highway across dozens of bridges, including the Seven Mile Bridge. High-speed ferries also run from Fort Myers Beach; sailing dates vary, so check the operator's current calendar.