Season guide · Key West · United States
Key West in autumn
September–November: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Abraham Ortelius, Public domain
Quick answer
September is peak hurricane season and very quiet; October brings Fantasy Fest and November the start of the dry season. Expect highs up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 22°C (72°F), with about 28 rainy days across September–November.
Key facts
- Months
- September–November
- Temperatures
- 22°C (72°F) to 31°C (88°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 28
- Sea
- 26°C (79°F) to 30°C (86°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in autumn
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | 31°C (88°F) | 26°C (79°F) | 13 | 12.3 h | 1/5 |
| October | 29°C (84°F) | 25°C (77°F) | 9 | 11.5 h | 4/5 |
| November | 27°C (81°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 6 | 10.9 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 29°C (84°F) against a yearly 28°C (82°F), and 28 of the year's roughly 92 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in autumn
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- October: Fantasy Fest — adult costume festival and parade (usually the 10 days before Halloween)
Good choices for autumn
Museum · Old Town and Duval Street
Mel Fisher Maritime Museum
Try lifting the gold bar on display, a hands-on highlight for children.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
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
.jpg){kind=link}
Historic site · Truman Annex
Harry S. Truman Little White House
The surrounding botanical grounds are free to walk; the house is by guided tour only.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
.jpg){kind=link}
Garden · Old Town and Duval Street
Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
A glass-domed tropical garden at the southern end of Duval Street where hundreds of butterflies from around the world fly freely among the plants, along with a few small birds.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Nature
- Rainy day
- Couples
Day trips in autumn
- Looe Key reef (About 40 minutes by car plus a 30-minute boat ride) — A spur-and-groove coral reef in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, often considered one of the best snorkelling and diving sites in the Lower Keys, with shallow coral and abundant fish.
- Marathon and the Seven Mile Bridge (About 1 hour 15 minutes by car) — Drive over the Seven Mile Bridge to Marathon, home to the Turtle Hospital, which rehabilitates injured sea turtles, and to Pigeon Key, a former railroad workers' camp reached by ferry.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is autumn a good time to visit Key West?
It is a trade-off: September is peak hurricane season and very quiet; October brings Fantasy Fest and November the start of the dry season. The best months overall are December–May.
+What is the weather like in Key West in autumn?
Highs of up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 22°C (72°F), with about 28 rainy days over the season.