Key West Weather and Sea Conditions

Sun seekers will enjoy Key West weather. The decidedly tropical Caribbean climate offers a toasty warm environment with hundreds of sunny days per year.

Key West offers fishing, diving, snorkeling, boating, and beaches almost everyday of the year with average daily temperatures ranging from 80 to 90 degrees F in summer and 70 to 80 degrees F in the winter. Spring and Autumn temperatures fall in between this range.

Key West averages about 40 inches of rainfall per year with about 75% of the total falling during the summer months. From November until May it doesn’t rain much here.

Offshore sea water temperatures are fairly steady year round and range from 72 to 85 degrees. The proximity to the Gulfstream plays a big role in stabilizing our water temperatures.

Inshore water temperatures can vary a bit more depending on the weather. After a strong winter cold the inshore water temperatures can dip into the 60s. During the heat of the summer they can push as high as 90 degrees F.

Marine weather and wave heights around and west of Key West can change rapidly as tides and currents shift and interact with prevailing winds.

For example, if you're fishing tarpon in Key West Harbor on an outgoing tide accompanied by a breeze with some northern component you can expect relatively calm seas, even with a fairly stiff wind.

However, when the tide turns and starts to go against the wind expect wave heights to increase. Even in this protected area, they can increase significantly on short order.

These same conditions can exist offshore when a strong east breeze bucks an east bound Gulfstream current. Boaters should be aware and prepared for these events.

Up-to-date offshore wind and weather is recorded for the Key West area and can be found at Sand Key Light website. The light sits about 4 miles offshore of the city of Key West.

The Florida Keys marine forecast gives you expected winds and sea conditions as well as the approximate position of the Gulfstream.