Month guide · Key West · United States
Key West in August
What August is really like in Key West: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Abraham Ortelius, Public domain
Quick answer
August is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 32°C (90°F), lows of 27°C (81°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 13 hours of daylight. Hot, humid and quiet, with hurricane risk building; prices are among the year's lowest.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 32°C (90°F) / 27°C (81°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 13 hours
- Sea temperature
- 31°C (88°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in August
August is the 2nd-warmest month in Key West: days average 32°C (90°F) against a yearly average high of 28°C (82°F), and nights fall to about 27°C (81°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 31 days. Compared with July (32°C (90°F)), August is about as warm; by September highs stay near 31°C (88°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 07:02
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 20:02
- Daylight
- About 13 hours
- Sea
- 31°C (88°F)
Spring (March–May). Hot sun, calm water and the best diving conditions, with spring-break crowds in March and quieter weeks in May.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 2 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in January). That makes August one of the better-value months to book.
Events in August
- Key West Lobsterfest (usually August)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in August
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Museum · Casa Marina and South Roosevelt
Fort East Martello Museum
A Civil War-era brick fort near Smathers Beach, run by the Key West Art and Historical Society, with exhibits on island history, folk art and Robert the Doll, a reputedly haunted doll that draws ghost-story fans.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Historic site · Old Town and Duval Street
Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
Go first thing in the morning before the tour groups and the heat; tours start frequently and are included in admission.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Kids
- Architecture
Waterfront · Old Town and Duval Street
Mallory Square Sunset Celebration
Every evening the dock at Mallory Square fills with jugglers, tightrope walkers, musicians and food carts for the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- After dark
- Couples
- Kids
- Views
Street · Old Town and Duval Street
Duval Street
Walk the full length once by day, then come back after dark when live music spills out of the bars.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- After dark
- Shopping
- Food
The sea averages 31°C (88°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Key West.
What to pack
For highs near 32°C, lows near 27°C and 12 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit Key West?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, December–May are better overall. Compare every month.
Key West in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit Key West?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Hot, humid and quiet, with hurricane risk building; prices are among the year's lowest.
+How warm is Key West in August?
Average highs are around 32°C (90°F) and lows around 27°C (81°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Key West in August?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.