Month guide · Key West · United States
Key West in October
What October is really like in Key West: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Andreas Lamecker, CC BY 2.5
Quick answer
October is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 29°C (84°F), lows of 25°C (77°F), about 9 rainy days and roughly 11.5 hours of daylight. Still warm, with the island filling up for Fantasy Fest late in the month; stone crab season opens mid-month.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 29°C (84°F) / 25°C (77°F)
- Rainy days
- About 9
- Daylight
- About 11.5 hours
- Sea temperature
- 28°C (82°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in October
October is the 6th-warmest month in Key West: days average 29°C (84°F) against a yearly average high of 28°C (82°F), and nights fall to about 25°C (77°F). Rain falls on roughly 9 of its 31 days. Compared with September (31°C (88°F)), October is cooler; by November highs drop to around 27°C (81°F).
- Sunrise (15 October)
- About 07:25
- Sunset (15 October)
- About 19:00
- Daylight
- About 11.5 hours
- Sea
- 28°C (82°F)
Summer (June–August). Hot and humid with brief tropical downpours, very warm sea and lower prices; hurricane season is under way.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, October rates 4 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in January). Book accommodation early: October is one of the pricier months.
Events in October
- Fantasy Fest — adult costume festival and parade (usually the 10 days before Halloween)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in October
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
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
Waterfront · Historic Seaport
Historic Seaport harbour walk
Look into the water near the fish-cleaning stations, where large tarpon often gather.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- After dark
- Couples
Aquarium · Old Town and Duval Street
Key West Aquarium
An open-air aquarium on Mallory Square, first opened in the 1930s, focusing on fish, turtles and sharks of the Keys, with touch tanks and guided feeding tours.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Nature
Waterfront · Old Town and Duval Street
Mallory Square Sunset Celebration
Arrive about 45 minutes before sunset to find a spot on the water's edge and see the performers set up.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- After dark
- Couples
- Kids
- Views
The sea averages 28°C (82°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Key West.
What to pack
For highs near 29°C, lows near 25°C and 9 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is October 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 October a good time to visit Key West?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Still warm, with the island filling up for Fantasy Fest late in the month; stone crab season opens mid-month.
+How warm is Key West in October?
Average highs are around 29°C (84°F) and lows around 25°C (77°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Key West in October?
Expect rain on about 9 days of the month.