Is August the Best Time to Visit the Florida Keys? What to Know Before You Book
- Debbie Kronebusch
- 3 days ago
- 7 min read
If you're searching for the best time to visit the Florida Keys, August deserves a real look. It brings something the busier seasons can't match: some of the warmest, clearest water of the year, noticeably lower rates, and the excitement of lobster season opening in Marathon, FL. This guide walks through exactly what August looks like on the ground, from local events to what makes it a smart time to book Casa Feliz, so you can plan with real details instead of guesswork.
Which Month Matches You? A 60-Second Self-Check
Before diving into everything August offers, run through these three quick questions. If your answers line up with the highlighted options below, August is shaping up to be your month.
1. What matters most to you when planning the trip?
The best possible price on a rental ← August match
Peak-season energy and the busiest events calendar
The calmest, most crowd-free beaches of the year
Cooler, milder daytime temperatures
2. Who's coming with you?
A big multi-generational crew that needs room to spread out ← August match
Just the two of us, somewhere quiet and low-key
A group of friends looking to fish, dive, or explore reefs ← August match
Young kids who need shorter travel days and early bedtimes
3. What does your ideal day in the Keys look like?
Hours in the pool or the water, with a fresh seafood dinner to close it out ← August match
Bundled up for cooler mornings and quieter porch time
Wall-to-wall festivals, tours, and things to do
A slow, unhurried pace with very few plans at all
If most of your answers matched, here's what a real August guest had to say about their stay:
Great hideaway! Great stay with lots of amenities!
— Ronnie M., 7-night summer stay at Casa Feliz
If your answers pointed elsewhere, don't worry. This is the first post in a full year-round series on the best time to visit the Florida Keys, so there's a month ahead built around exactly what you're looking for.
What August Weather Feels Like in the Florida Keys
August in the Florida Keys means warm, sunny days and some of the best swimming conditions of the year. Daytime temperatures sit comfortably in the low 90s, mornings are typically clear and bright, and brief afternoon showers roll through and clear out quickly, often leaving a fresh breeze behind. It's ideal weather for a day built around the water, whether that means the beach, the pool, or a boat.
Metric | August Average | Why It Matters |
Daytime high | Low 90s °F | Great beach and pool weather all day |
Overnight low | Mid-70s °F | Warm enough for evening pool and porch time |
Water temperature | 86-88 °F | Some of the warmest, clearest water of the year |
Sunshine pattern | Sunny mornings, brief afternoon showers | Mornings and evenings are usually clear and bright |
The real highlight: the Gulf and Atlantic waters around Marathon warm to some of their best temperatures of the year, which means calm, comfortable snorkeling and swimming conditions all day long.
A Quieter, More Relaxed Version of the Keys
August has a slower, easier pace than the busier winter and spring months. Restaurants are easier to get into, charter boats leaving Boot Key Harbor have more open availability, and the beaches feel more spacious. For families who'd rather spend a vacation actually relaxing than navigating crowds and long waits, that shift in pace is one of August's biggest draws.
August offers a version of the Florida Keys that feels more laid-back: warmer water, quieter beaches, and more room to enjoy it all at your own pace.
That easier pace pairs naturally with a longer, more flexible daily rhythm: slow mornings on the water, an easy lunch, an afternoon by the pool, and dinner without a long wait.
August Is Lobster Season, and That Changes the Whole Trip
Regular lobster season opens around August 6 and runs through March, and the Middle Keys reefs around Marathon are some of the most productive spiny lobster waters in the state. Local dive shops fill up, seafood restaurants roll out lobster specials, and the entire community leans into the occasion. For families who enjoy fresh seafood or want to try a guided snorkel or dive trip, this is the single best reason to time a trip for early August.
Sombrero Reef, a short boat ride from Marathon, is one of the best snorkel spots in the Middle Keys, with coral formations, tropical fish, and the occasional sea turtle or nurse shark. It's an easy add-on for a family that wants one guided excursion during the stay without turning the whole trip into a dive vacation. Several local outfitters run half-day trips that work well for a range of ages and swimming abilities, and many can accommodate larger multi-generational groups traveling together.
We spent our days exploring the nearby reefs, lounging and soaking up the sun at the unbelievable pool. The sunrises were absolutely breathtaking, providing the perfect backdrop for our morning coffee.
— Bubba W., group of friends, 7-night stay
August Events Worth Building a Trip Around
Date | Event |
August 5-9 | Key West Lobsterfest, a street festival built around fresh Florida lobster |
August 6 | Regular lobster season opens, running through March |
August 10-16 | Key West Rum Fest, with tastings, distillers, and live music |
August 25 | Free entry to Dry Tortugas National Park (Great American Outdoors Act anniversary) |
Key West is roughly an hour down the Overseas Highway from Marathon, which makes Lobsterfest, Rum Fest, or the Dry Tortugas an easy day trip rather than a separate destination to book around.
Is August the Best Time to Visit the Florida Keys for Your Family?
August is a great fit for families who love spending full days in and on the water: snorkeling, boating, swimming, and paddling in some of the warmest, clearest conditions of the year. It also suits families who prefer a quieter, more laid-back version of the Keys, with more room on the beach, easier restaurant reservations, and a slower overall pace than the peak winter months.
If that sounds like your family, August offers something the busier months can't: a relaxed, sunny version of the Keys, at a better price, with some of the best water conditions of the year.
Lower Prices and Fewer Crowds: The Off-Season Case for August
Late summer through early fall is generally considered a value season in the Florida Keys, and that shows up directly in rental and hotel pricing. Families who don't need peak-season dates can typically find meaningfully better rates in August than they would over winter holidays or spring break. Crowds thin out too, aside from a modest bump around the lobster season opener, which means shorter waits at restaurants, easier boat charter bookings, and quieter beaches. For a multi-generational group booking a larger home, that value gap tends to be even more noticeable than it is for a single hotel room.
→ Related: Best Time to Visit Florida Keys with Family
A Day Trip to Dry Tortugas
For families who want one bigger excursion during an August stay, Dry Tortugas National Park is free to enter on August 25 and reachable by ferry or seaplane from Key West. The park centers on historic Fort Jefferson, a 19th-century fort built from more than 16 million bricks, and offers snorkeling in the fort's coral-rich moat along with birdwatching across the park's small, mostly open-water islands. It's a full-day commitment, so it works best as a single highlight rather than something to repeat during a shorter trip.
What to Pack for August
Reef-safe sunscreen, required in many protected snorkeling areas
A light, packable layer for the occasional afternoon shower
Bug spray for evenings near the mangroves
A reusable water bottle to stay refreshed on warm, sunny days
Water shoes for reef walking and rocky shoreline entry points
Why a Private Home Makes More Sense in August
A private home is simply built for the kind of long, water-filled days August invites. Casa Feliz Florida Keys, a private waterfront home in Marathon that sleeps up to 10 guests, gives a multi-generational group its own resort-style pool and private beach to enjoy together between excursions, rather than sharing a single hotel pool with the rest of the property. With lobster season in full swing, a full kitchen means the group can cook up a fresh catch together instead of everyone squeezing into a booked-solid restaurant.
Our group consisted of several kids and adults, and it was very comfortable for a bigger group. Our favorite details about the house were the gaming/movie room, HUGE pool, and dock. We spent many hours on the dock catching fish and stargazing.
— Mary Beth F., multi-generational family stay
Casa Feliz's concierge program can also help line up guided snorkeling trips, lobster dinners, and day-trip bookings, so the whole visit comes together easily.
→ Related: Florida Keys Vacation Rentals Top Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Is August a good time to visit the Florida Keys?
Yes. August offers some of the warmest, clearest water of the year, noticeably lower rates, and a quieter, more relaxed version of the Keys, along with the excitement of lobster season opening in Marathon.
What is there to do in the Florida Keys in August?
August highlights include the opening of regular lobster season, Key West Lobsterfest, Key West Rum Fest, a free entry day at Dry Tortugas National Park, and snorkeling trips to reefs like Sombrero Reef near Marathon. Warm water also makes it a wonderful month for swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking.
Are Florida Keys vacation rentals cheaper in August?
Generally yes. Late summer is considered a value season in the Keys, and rental and hotel rates typically run lower than winter holiday or spring break pricing, aside from a modest bump around the lobster season opener in early August.
What's the weather like in the Florida Keys in August?
Daytime temperatures typically reach the low 90s °F with warm evenings in the mid-70s, perfect for beach days and evening pool time. Mornings are usually clear and sunny, with brief afternoon showers that pass quickly.
What is Key West Lobsterfest?
Key West Lobsterfest is an annual street festival celebrating the opening of lobster season, with live music, outdoor vendors, and lobster served grilled, steamed, and baked into local dishes. It typically runs for several days in early August and makes for an easy day trip from Marathon.
A private pool, a private beach, and enough room for the whole family to spread out and beat the August heat, together. |