Ready for a vacation truth? You don’t actually have to skip travel plans during Key West hurricane season. While hurricane activity should be taken seriously, hurricane season in Key West still offers plenty of sunny days and pleasant weather. Travelers simply need to know how to prepare to enjoy the season.
While most people associate summer travel with tourist season, Key West’s peak season is actually led by winter crowds who come during the period from December through March to enjoy a sunny holiday season or spring break. Meanwhile, summer is considered the off-peak, rainy season here. There’s also almost always the looming threat of a tropical storm if you come between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Of course, this is when tourists also need to start thinking about hurricane season.
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When is hurricane season in Key West? Running from June 1 through Nov. 30, hurricane season in Key West overlaps with the summer travel season. While travelers seeking to avoid a significant storm threat and enjoy fewer crowds generally come during a shoulder season lasting from March to May or November to December, plenty of people visit Key West during summer to take advantage of schools being out.
Here are some tips to make coming to the Florida Keys during hurricane season a fun, safe experience for all ages:
1) Choose Tour Operators That Prioritize Safety And Offer Storm Refunds
It’s essential to only work with locally based tour agencies with employees who have been through hurricane season in Key West countless times. Responsible tour operators keep track of weather trends to act accordingly when dangerous conditions loom. They also have reasonable refund policies for times when excursions need to be cancelled due to weather.
At Key West Boat Trips, safety is always the priority of our experienced captains and crew members. If we need to cancel a trip because weather conditions aren’t safe, you’ll get a full refund. Book with confidence when you choose any of the following popular excursions:
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Hopping Sandbars In Key West – Spend a perfect day exploring mangrove trails at Mud Keys, the sandbar at Snipe Point, and the shallow waters of the Jewish Basin.
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Key West Sunset Cruise – Cruise to the “middle of the ocean” through idyllic backcountry waters to enjoy a peaceful sunset with a champagne toast.
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Mud Key Mangrove Safari – Cruise through backcountry waters and mangroves before enjoying a refreshing dip or relaxing stroll while anchored at Mud Key Sanctuary. Guests sometimes spot dolphins, manatees, and other types of marine life during this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Plan an amazing experience with a trusted, highly rated tour operator in Key West. Whether you’re coming during the calmer high season or the middle of Atlantic hurricane season, you can always rest assured that our captains will only depart if it’s completely safe to do so.
Ready to make unforgettable memories on the crystal-clear waters of Key West? Join us for a safe, fun-filled adventure you won’t forget. Book your spot today and let the island magic begin!
2) Set Aside Key West Indoor Activities For Days With Inclement Weather
To avoid disappointment if rainy weather moves into the Florida Keys during your visit, add a good mix of outdoor activities and indoor activities to your itinerary.
While famed for its sunshine and great beaches, the island is also home to amazing cultural attractions and fun activities that will keep you comfortable and dry inside for as long as the rain in Key West lasts.
Here’s a look at fun things to do in Key West when it’s raining or storming:
See Marine Life Indoors At The Key West Aquarium
Located close to the historic seaport, the Key West Aquarium offers opportunities to meet and learn about sharks, jellyfish, sea turtles, and hundreds of fish species that inhabit the waters of the Florida Keys. The aquarium’s interactive touch tanks contain sea stars, conches, hermit crabs, horseshoe crabs, and sea urchins.
Sample Key Lime Pie
As the official birthplace of this tart and wonderful dessert, the island offers several world-famous bakeries and dessert spots where you can savor the sweetest, creamiest slices on the planet while taking refuge from rain clouds.
Locals will tell you that the best slice in Key West can be found at:
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Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe (200 Elizabeth Street)
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Key West Key Lime Pie Company (511 Greene Street)
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Moondog Cafe & Bakery (823 Whitehead Street)
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Blue Heaven (729 Thomas Street)
No visit to Key West is complete without tasting its famous Key Lime Pie. Zesty, creamy, and sweet, it’s the perfect treat to brighten any rainy or sunny day on the island.
Get A Taste Of Nature And Tropical Beauty Inside The Key West Butterfly And Nature Conservatory
Step inside the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, a magical tropical paradise where colorful butterflies flutter freely around you. Wander through lush gardens filled with vibrant flowers and exotic birds, and let the peaceful beauty brighten even the rainiest day.
Home to hundreds of living butterflies and lively, colorful birds, this breathtaking attraction offers a climate-controlled, glass-enclosed habitat to walk around in for a few hours.
Get Lost In A Story At The Ernest Hemingway House And Museum
If your favorite thing to do on a rainy day back home is read a good book, just imagine the joy of spending a drizzly day walking through the home of one of history’s most brilliant literary minds. See where Hemingway penned “For Whom the Bell Tolls” and “To Have and Have Not.”
Step inside the Ernest Hemingway House and Museum to walk where the legendary writer lived and wrote. Feel the island’s history come alive as you explore his charming home filled with stories, cats, and a glimpse into Key West’s literary past. It’s a cozy, fascinating escape perfect for a rainy day or a quiet afternoon.
Good To Know: Key West summer rainstorms are usually very brief. Storms lasting just 30 to 60 minutes generally roll in during the afternoon to cool the air. To maximize your time, consider planning visits to indoor attractions for afternoons to leave early mornings and evenings free to enjoy the weather.
3) Consider Purchasing Travel Insurance
A travel insurance policy may protect you against losses stemming from having to cancel travel plans during hurricane season. Keep in mind that each policy is different. That means you’ll need to do some homework to find an option that offers ideal protection for Key West hurricane season travel. In general, weather-related covered reasons for trip cancellations can include:
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Mandatory evacuations due to a natural disaster in your travel destination
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Your travel destination becomes uninhabitable due to weather-related damage
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Your travel carrier cannot bring you to your destination within 24 hours of your scheduled arrival
Pro Tip: While some travel insurance companies will allow you to purchase coverage right up until the day before your trip, it’s wise to book insurance the same day you book your trip to take advantage of full benefits that can include easy pre-trip cancellation.
4) Stay Informed About Hurricane Activity And Evacuation Routes
Have a plan for staying informed about Key West weather patterns and storm protocols. If you’re booked at a hotel or resort, the staff will have information regarding evacuation routes and shelter protocols.
However, visitors to the Florida Keys during hurricane season should also make their own plans to ensure they can stay informed during times when they may be away from their hotel rooms. Here’s how to stay informed and prepared:
Download Storm Apps
Your phone is actually a great resource for keeping safe during hurricane season in the Florida Keys. First, be sure to follow the National Hurricane Center website to see if a tropical storm is about to hit Key West. You can also download the Monroe County’s Sheriff’s Office app to get live updates on tropical storm and hurricane warning protocols in Key West and the rest of the Florida Keys.
Be Familiar With Shelter Locations
Make sure you know where to take shelter during high winds. According to the Monroe County Emergency Management Department, Key West High School (2100 Flagler Street) is the designated shelter for Category 1 and 2 hurricanes. Other shelters throughout Monroe County include Sugarloaf School in Sugarloaf Key, Marathon High School in Marathon, and Coral Shores High School in Plantation Key.
Know When To Evacuate
In Key West and the rest of Monroe County, evacuation becomes mandatory for everyone in Category 3, 4, and 5 hurricanes. In Key West, visitors are evacuated ahead of residents. Follow the instructions provided by your hotel or local authorities to ensure you can get out quickly.
5) Pack For Stormy Weather
Regardless of when you visit Key West, essentials like sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes, and beach sandals belong in your suitcase. However, there’s some extra packing to do when you visit Key West during hurricane season. Don’t leave home without these essentials:
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A lightweight umbrella
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Rain ponchos
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A portable phone charger
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Extra battery pack for any electronics you use to communicate
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A physical map to help you find evacuation routes in the event your phone, data availability, and Internet connection all stop working
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A refillable water bottle you can use in the event that stores shut down
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A small, suitcase-sized first-aid kit
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A waterproof pouch for your phone, personal identification, or important documents
Pro Tip: To avoid the need to head back to the hotel for a change of clothes after a midafternoon sprinkle hits, pack moisture-wicking or quick-drying clothing for this vacation.
Hurricane Season Doesn’t Have To Stop Your Vacation Plans – Key West Can Be Magical In The Summer Months
If you want to visit Key West outside of the peak tourist season because you want to take advantage of lower prices, smaller crowds, and the fact that you have some vacation time to use, you don’t have to let fear of tropical storms and hurricanes stop you. If you’re willing to be an informed, proactive tourist, there’s still plenty of sunny days and warm weather to capture during hurricane season.
At Key West Boat Trips, we operate our world-class sandbar tours and backcountry excursions into the brilliant blue-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico all year long. As experienced local tour operators and captains, we prioritize safety whether it’s the thick of tourist season, off season, or anything in between.
We’ll alert you to a change of plans at the first sign of a tropical storm that threatens to put your safety in jeopardy. Don’t settle for anything less than the safest, most unforgettable sandbar cruise in Key West.
Experience amazing sights and unforgettable memories with our friendly and expert guides. Book your trip with Key West Boat Trips today and enjoy a safe, fun adventure on the beautiful waters of Key West.
