Beaches with warm water in Key West

7 beaches scored for warm water in Key West, from measured data with the source and date on every fact. Top score 8.3 of 10 at Higgs Beach. That is 7 of the 7 ranked beaches in Key West.

  • Scored7 beaches
  • 75 F or warmerFebruary to December
  • WhereKey West
  • Top score8.3 of 10 at Higgs Beach

7 beaches in Key West with warm water. Ranked by warm water score, then Beach Score, updated Sep 10, 2026. Rankings reflect typical conditions, not today.

Sea temperature by month

Warmest in August at 89 F. 11 months at 75 F or more, February to December. Averaged over the 7 listed beaches.

  1. Higgs Beach: sandy beach with palm trees, resort building, pier, and swimmers#1
    Key West, Florida
    Warm water8.3 of 10Mean sea temperature 82 F, 11 months at 75 F or more, February to December.
    Parking · Free parking · Restaurants and barsView beach
  2. Dog Beach: sandy beach with palm trees, resort building, pier, and swimmers#2
    Key West, Florida
    Warm water8.3 of 10Mean sea temperature 82 F, 11 months at 75 F or more, February to December.
    Parking · Free parking · Restaurants and barsView beach
  3. Smathers Beach: sandy beach with palm trees, dune fence, and calm ocean water#3
    Key West, Florida
    Warm water8.3 of 10Mean sea temperature 82 F, 11 months at 75 F or more, February to December.
    Parking · Hotels nearby · Beachfront hotelsView beach
  4. South Beach: sandy beach with palm trees, resort building, pier, and swimmers#4
    Key West, Florida
    Warm water8.3 of 10Mean sea temperature 82 F, 11 months at 75 F or more, February to December.
    Parking · Restaurants and bars · PierView beach
  5. Aerial view of Truman Beach in Key West, Florida, shoreline and surroundings, USDA NAIP imagery from May 2023#5
    Key West, Florida
    Warm water8.3 of 10Mean sea temperature 82 F, 11 months at 75 F or more, February to December.
    Parking · Bathrooms · ShowersView beach
  6. Aerial view of Boca Chica Beach in Key West, Florida, shoreline and surroundings, USDA NAIP imagery from May 2023#6
    Key West, Florida
    Warm water8.3 of 10Mean sea temperature 82 F, 11 months at 75 F or more, February to December.
    Parking · Sunrise over waterView beach
  7. Aerial view of Boca Chica Nude Beach in Key West, Florida, shoreline and surroundings, USDA NAIP imagery from May 2023#7
    Key West, Florida
    Warm water8.3 of 10Mean sea temperature 82 F, 11 months at 75 F or more, February to December.
    Sunrise over water · Clothing optionalView beach
7 beaches
7

Compare beaches with warm water

BeachWarm water scoreMean sea temperatureParkingBeach Score
Higgs BeachKey West8.382 FYes5.3
Dog BeachKey West8.382 FYes4.5
Smathers BeachKey West8.382 FYes4.5
South BeachKey West8.382 FYes4.5
Truman BeachKey West8.382 FYes4.5
Boca Chica BeachKey West8.382 FYes3.8
Boca Chica Nude BeachKey West8.382 F2.8

How warm water works

Sea temperature lags the air by a month or two, so the warmest water comes in late summer and the coolest in late winter. A beach counts as warm water when at least six months average 24 C (75 F) or more, which is warm enough to swim without a wetsuit.

How we verify warm water

Scored from monthly sea surface temperature over the last three years of marine model data. Counts as warm when at least six months average 75 F (24 C) or more. Sources and methodology

Where in Key West

All of the listed beaches are in Key West.

Today in Key West

Fair beach day, 63 of 100

Wind up to 20 mph, waves up to 2.1 ft, 29% rain chance, high 89 F.

Wind, up to20 mph
Waves, up to2.1 ft
Rain chance29%
High89 F

Forecast at each area's centre from Open-Meteo, refreshed hourly; the rating rule is on the methodology page. The ranking below reflects typical conditions, not today.

When to go

Warmest sea: August at 89 F (31 C). Calmest water: July, mean daily maximum wave 2.1 ft. Fewest rain days: February, March, November.

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