Key West has two seasons: dry (November–April) and wet/hot (May–October). The dry season is better weather-wise; the wet season is cheaper. Here's the month-by-month breakdown.
The Quick Answer
Best weather: November through April (dry season, 65–80°F, low humidity, minimal rain)
Best prices: August and September (low season, 20–40% off peak rates)
Best balance: November and late April (good weather, fewer crowds, moderate prices)
Worst overall: Mid-September (peak hurricane risk, heat, some closures)
Most festive: Late October (Fantasy Fest) and December (holiday season)
January — Perfect Weather, Peak Crowds
January is the most popular month to visit Key West — and for good reason. The weather is near-perfect: temperatures in the 65–80°F range, low humidity, almost no rain, and sunny skies almost every day. It's peak season, which means peak prices and booked restaurants. Christmas and New Year's week are the most expensive dates of the year. If you can handle the crowds and don't mind paying a premium, January is genuinely excellent.
February — Dry Season, Duval Lobster Season
February continues the dry-season excellence — the same weather as January but slightly fewer crowds after the New Year rush subsides. Duval Street lobster season (a street festival celebrating spiny lobster opening) typically falls in February. It's one of the best months to visit if you want good weather without the full peak-season prices. Book well in advance — Valentine's Day week in Key West is popular.
March — Spring Break
March is busy — spring break falls in the first three weeks and the island fills with families and college-age visitors. Weather is still excellent. Prices are high. If spring break falls on your calendar, consider the last week of March or early April when spring break crowds thin out. Duval Street will be crowded in March; plan accordingly.
April — Great Weather, Less Crowded
April is one of the best months to visit Key West. The dry season continues, temperatures warm to 75–85°F, humidity is still low, and spring break crowds have dispersed. Late April is particularly good — fewer visitors, still excellent weather, and prices begin to drop as the peak season winds down. Fantasy Fest planning begins in April (it's in October), so if you're thinking about it, start booking accommodation now.
May — Good Before the Heat
May is the last month of the shoulder season — good weather (80–85°F), fewer crowds, and prices that haven't hit summer lows yet. It's one of the better value months in the dry season window. The water is warming up, making it better for snorkeling and swimming. Hurricane season begins June 1, but May is reliably dry.
June — Hurricane Season Begins, Cheaper Rates
June is when things shift. Hurricane season officially begins, temperatures hit 85–90°F, humidity rises, and afternoon thunderstorms become common. Hotel rates drop noticeably from May. It's still a good month to visit if you understand the trade-offs — you'll get cheaper accommodation, but more heat and the risk of tropical weather. The first summer crowds (families, school vacations) arrive late in the month.
July — Hot, Hemingway Days + Lobsterfest
July is hot (85–92°F) and humid. Hurricane season is active. But it's also when Key West's two major summer festivals happen: Hemingway Days (late July, running of the bulls, cat look-alike contest) and Lobsterfest (early August, but planning and buzz starts in July). Kids are out of school, so expect family crowds. Prices are lower than peak season but not as low as August/September. It's worth a visit if you can handle the heat and want to catch one of the festivals.
August — Hot, Cheapest Time
August is the cheapest month to visit Key West. Hotel rates drop significantly, flights are cheap, and you'll find last-minute deals everywhere. It's also the hottest month (88–92°F), the most humid, and peak hurricane season. The lobsterfest event typically falls in early August. If you're flexible about weather and don't mind the heat and tropical storms, August is when your dollar stretches furthest. Book accommodation with free cancellation.
September — Quietest, Highest Hurricane Risk
September is the quietest month in Key West — kids are back in school, tourism drops, prices are at their lowest, and the island returns to something closer to normal. It's also the peak month for hurricane activity. Mid-September historically has the highest tropical storm risk. This is the month where the trade-off is most extreme: cheapest prices, but real hurricane risk. If you visit in September, have a flexible schedule, monitor forecasts, and book refundable accommodation. The island is lovely when it's quiet — it's just a matter of whether you get lucky with the weather.
October — Fantasy Fest, Best Shoulder Season
October is one of the most interesting months to visit. Fantasy Fest (late October, around October 16–26 in 2026) draws huge crowds for the biggest event of the year. The rest of October — early and mid-month — offers great weather, fewer crowds, and prices that haven't hit Fantasy Fest levels. Hurricane season is technically still active but the risk drops after mid-September. November is just around the corner and that's the start of peak season. October gives you excellent value if you can avoid the Fantasy Fest weekend crowds.
November — Fantastic
November is the start of the dry season and one of the best months to visit Key West. Weather is excellent (70–80°F), humidity drops, rain is minimal, and the island hasn't hit peak-season pricing yet. Thanksgiving week draws a crowd, but early November is often very quiet and very pleasant. Start of lobster season (the annual event, not the summer one) is typically in November. This is the month I'd recommend for first-time visitors who want the best weather without peak-season prices.
December — Festive, Peak Prices for Holidays
December brings the holiday season — festive decorations, Mallory Square is magical around Christmas, and Key West has a genuinely charming holiday feel. The trade-off: it's peak season pricing. Christmas week and New Year's Eve week are the most expensive times of the year to visit Key West. The weather is excellent (65–78°F). If you can afford it, December is magical. If you're budget-conscious, consider the first week of December before holiday pricing kicks in, or the week after New Year's when rates drop sharply.
Hurricane Season Callout
Hurricane season (June 1–November 30) is a real consideration, not a reason to avoid the Keys entirely. The vast majority of tropical systems that affect Key West are tropical storms, not hurricanes. The island has excellent infrastructure for handling storms. If you visit during hurricane season:
- Book accommodation with free cancellation
- Monitor weather forecasts daily during your trip
- Have a plan to extend your stay or rebook if a storm approaches
- Don't visit in mid-September if you have hard travel date constraints
- Consider travel insurance for trips during hurricane season
Packing Tips
Dry season (November–April): Light layers for evenings (it can get cool in the 60s), sunscreen, sunglasses, casual clothes. Nothing fancy — Key West is very casual. A light jacket or sweater for evening dining in winter months.
Wet season (May–October): Quick-dry clothing, high-SPF sunscreen, a rain jacket or umbrella, water shoes for snorkeling and rocky beaches, bug spray (mosquitoes are active in summer), and plenty of water. The heat is real — bring a reusable water bottle.
For the complete month-by-month calendar with crowd forecasts, price data, and packing lists: keywestondemand.com has the full planning guide →
Book Key West Activities
Activities are available year-round — book in advance for peak season months when tours fill up.
Browse Viator Key West Tours →Common Questions
When is the best time to visit Key West weather-wise?
November through April — the dry season. Temperatures run 65–80°F, humidity is manageable, and rain is minimal. December through March is the most reliable weather window, though it coincides with peak season pricing and crowds. November and April are the shoulder months that offer good weather with slightly lower prices.
When is Key West cheapest to visit?
August and September. These are the cheapest months to visit Key West — hotel rates drop significantly, flights are cheaper, and you'll find last-minute deals. The trade-off: it's hot (85–90°F), humid, and hurricane season is active. September is particularly quiet as kids go back to school. If you're flexible about weather and don't mind the heat, this is when you'll save the most.
Is hurricane season bad in Key West?
It's a real risk, not a guarantee. Hurricane season runs June 1–November 30. The peak months for actual hurricane landfalls are August and September, but most tropical systems pass without major impact. If you visit during hurricane season, book accommodation with free cancellation, monitor weather forecasts, and have a flexible timeline. Key West has handled hurricanes before — the infrastructure is built for it. But you should respect the season and plan accordingly.
When should I avoid Key West?
September is the quietest month — cheapest, least crowded — but also the highest hurricane risk. Mid-September specifically tends to be the most active hurricane period. If you want to avoid the risk, skip September and choose November instead. Avoid Fantasy Fest weekend if you hate crowds. Avoid any week with a major cruise ship schedule (many ships visit on Wednesday and Saturday) if you want to avoid the cruise passenger influx.