Everyone knows the Florida Keys are very popular in both summer and winter, with visitors flocking to this tropical paradise in both seasons. However, some people may not know that Key West is actually the perfect destination any time of the year.

March, for example, is often considered one of the best times, as peak tourist season or high season in Key West runs from December to mid-April, which means March is close enough to the end that it is sometimes considered part of the low season or the shoulder season. Once March comes around, all the winter visitors have gone home and the summer travelers have not yet arrived. This has many benefits for visitors to Key West in March, many of which are explained in more detail below.

Another benefit to coming in March is that the Atlantic Ocean hurricane season hasn’t started yet, which means you won’t have to check the news for weather updates constantly or monitor storms with the potential to make landfall.

Instead, you’ll enjoy amazing weather and peaceful waters. The average temperature in March is a high of 80 degrees and a low of 67. Throughout the entire month, the island averages 1.67 total inches of rain, a far cry from the rainy season (mid-May to October), which can get over eight inches in a month at its peak.

Let’s look at seven reasons to visit Key West in springtime, as well as a few things to do in Key West in March:

1) Perfect Time For A Journey With Key West Boat Trips

Key West Boat Trips offers you and your party the opportunity to take a private boat excursion (or a shared trip, if you’re not particular!) through the beautiful waters near the island. Our tours include:

• Our Hopping Sandbars tour takes you to three amazing sandbars near Key West, allowing you to enjoy amazing scenery along the way, plus fun in the sun when you arrive.
• To combine an amazing meal with gorgeous scenery, look no further than our Lunch or Dinner Cruises, which takes you to an amazing nearby sandbar while your captain cooks your meal.
• For the perfect romantic setting, our two-hour Sunset Cruise lets you see the gorgeous sunset and even includes a place for you to hop out of the boat into ankle-deep waters to get the perfect picture of this amazing memory that you’ll cherish for years to come.
• The two-hour Mud Key Mangrove Safari takes you through backcountry waters to beautiful Mud Key, the perfect place for birdwatching, amazing views, and more.
• Our four-hour Boca Grande Island takes you to one of the best snorkeling spots in the Florida Keys. Non-snorkelers can also enjoy plenty of other amazing activities as well.

Pro Tip: Our private boat excursions allow you to connect your Bluetooth-enabled device to our speakers and pump up your own jams. Just remember to download a few songs in case the cell phone reception isn’t great!

Ready to create unforgettable memories? Book your Key West boat trip today and experience the beauty of the island’s waters like never before!

2) The Perfect Place For A Spring Break Excursion

Spring break provides students and their families the perfect opportunity to take a vacation. A very popular choice for spring breakers is the beach, of which plenty can be found in Key West Florida, including (but not limited to!):

• Dry Tortugas National Park, about 70 miles away and accessible from Key West by ferry, is perfect for snorkeling, seeing marine life up close, and much more.
• Smathers Beach is the largest public beach you’ll find when visiting Key West and offers beach volleyball, jet ski rentals, and much more.

Good To Know: Smathers Beach offers parking for $5 an hour, as well as public showers. Don’t forget to bring a towel to dry off!

3) See Nature Unbounded By Seasons In Key West

Nature lovers will rejoice as they can see beautiful plant life year-round while visiting Key West. Due to the temperate tropical climate, the plants here (both in the wild and those found at the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden) are evergreen and keep their leaves in all seasons.

Whether you visit Key West in March, July, September, or any other month, you’re in for a treat. From the tallest trees to the smallest bush, beautiful and abundant plant life remains unchanged by the calendar.

Good To Know: The Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden is also a great place for birdwatching, as many unique species can be found nesting in the trees.

4) Explore Different Types Of Marine Life In March

Key West visitors, especially those taking boat trips, will see different types of wildlife in March than in other seasons. This is due to many factors, like fish spawning seasons, water temperatures, and more.

There are also many great places to see wildlife indoors, including a museum on the boardwalk in Old Town dedicated to sea turtles and the Key West Aquarium, providing an awesome experience for groups and families of all ages and sizes.

The Key West Aquarium is a great place to see many types of marine life up close and personal. The Touch Tank that allows people of all ages to safely pet many species of ocean life is particularly popular.

5) Shorter Lines And Less Traffic At Popular Locations

One of the biggest benefits of coming to Key West in March is that, as a less popular travel time, it won’t be as crowded as it would be around Christmas or in the summer. This means you’ll get shorter waiting times at places like:

• The Key West Lighthouse is one of the oldest lighthouses still standing in the United States. Visitors can tour the Keeper’s Quarters, ascend to the top for majestic views of the area, and stop by the gift shop on their way out.
• The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory is a great spot for nature lovers! You can walk through a beautiful, tropical garden filled with hundreds of colorful butterflies flying all around you.
• The Conch Tour Train will take you on a loop through Old Town, showing you many historic sites belonging to the area called “The Conch Republic”.

Pro Tip: Consider visiting popular attractions early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the busiest times and enjoy a more relaxed experience.

6) Secure Your Restaurant Reservation With Ease

Another effect of lower visitor numbers for March in Key West is that there will be a shorter wait at restaurants and food trucks. Whether you’re looking for a slice of delicious Key Lime Pie or a more substantial meal, there will be much less competition from your fellow travelers.

This is particularly important at popular restaurants like:

• Blue Heaven
• Nine One Five
• Kelly’s Caribbean Bar, Grill, and Brewery

Fun Fact: The last restaurant on the list is owned by the beloved Top Gun actress Kelly McGillis! She brings her passion for great food and hospitality to this charming spot, making it a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy a delicious meal in Key West.

7) An Unending Supply Of Amazing Things To See And Do

Some popular tourist destinations don’t have much for visitors during the low season, as most places are only open from May to September. Key West Florida is not one of those places! Our amazing tropical paradise is available year-round for visitors to enjoy.

Here are a few places you won’t want to miss during your visit:

• Mallory Square in Old Town, home of the Sunset Celebration, a nightly festival that features live music, food vendors, entertainment, and much more, all under the gorgeous Key West sunset. There’s plenty to do here during the day, too!
• The historic thoroughfare of Duval Street is well-known for its electric nightlife, live musical performances, special events, and a whole lot more. If you’re visiting Key West in March, you won’t want to miss Duval Street.

Good To Know: Many live music venues and other locations in Key West (including Duval St. itself!) have live webcams on their websites, allowing you to sample the atmosphere without having to leave your home.

Riding With Key West Boat Trips In March

These are just a few of the amazing things to do in Key West in March and a few reasons why it may be the perfect month for your upcoming trip to our tropical paradise. You can avoid the rainy season and enjoy the gorgeous sunset without getting wet.

Key West Boat Trips is the premier tour provider in the Florida Keys and our experienced local captains have taken thousands of people on the rides of their lives. We can’t wait to add you and your party to that number!

Our tours do sell out fast, though (even in March!), so don’t miss out! Book your next thrilling Key West boat trip today!