Yes, you can snorkel in Key West in February. NOAA’s Key West harbour gauge averages 73.8 °F (23.2 °C) in February, the second-coolest month after January, and the air averages highs of about 77 °F and lows of about 64 to 67 °F. February is one of the driest months of the year, with about 2 inches of rain. Boats run all month, and Fury Water Adventures offers wetsuits to February visitors; take one if you feel the cold. Cold fronts still bring windy days, so book your snorkel early in the trip. If your dates are flexible, March is a little warmer in the water (75.9 °F) but brings spring break crowds.
A midday trip puts your swim in the middle of a February day. Sebago’s Afternoon Snorkel Sail with Unlimited Cocktails leaves at 12:30 p.m. from the Sebago office on Lazy Way Lane, between Conch Republic and Schooner Wharf, runs three hours and costs from $60 per person (checked November 2026), with 4.4 from 1,621 reviews on Viator. Our review covers the boat and the bar.
Key West Afternoon Snorkel Sail with Unlimited Cocktails!
- 4.4/5 (1,621 reviews)
- About 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Operated by Sebago Key West
Includes Use of snorkeling equipment · Professional crew · Unlimited cocktails (per the listing title; guests 21 and over)
You'll choose your date and complete the booking on Viator. Free cancellation under Viator's standard terms; the booking page shows the deadline.
February water and air temperature
February is the turning point of the winter. NOAA’s long-term monthly means for the Key West gauge rise from 72.5 °F in January to 73.8 °F in February and 75.9 °F in March, then keep climbing through spring.
| January | February | March | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water, monthly mean | 72.5 °F (22.5 °C) | 73.8 °F (23.2 °C) | 75.9 °F (24.4 °C) |
| Average high | 74.7 to 75.8 °F | 76.5 to 77.4 °F | 78.8 to 79.6 °F |
| Average low | 62.9 to 65.5 °F | 64.3 to 67.1 °F | 66.8 to 69.3 °F |
| Average rain | 2.01 in | 1.96 in | 1.41 in |
Air figures are National Weather Service 1991-2020 normals, shown as the range across the NWS’s two Key West tables; rain is from the NWS Key West table.
Two things to keep in mind. The gauge sits in the harbour, so reef water can differ, and Fury says winter reef water can dip into the mid-60s °F after a front. Single Februaries also run cool: in February 2024 the gauge averaged about 71 °F, with a lowest reading of about 67 °F. Plan for low to mid 70s. Our water temperature by month page has the whole year in °F and °C.
Wind and cold fronts in February
February is still front season. The National Park Service, describing the weather around the Dry Tortugas west of Key West, says winter cold fronts push cool, dry air south and bring cooler, windier conditions, and that winter seas are usually rougher than summer seas. At the sheltered Key West harbour gauge, average wind runs about 8 to 10 knots from January to April, roughly half again what it is in July and August; the open water past the island is windier.
For your booking, that means:
- The ride to the reef can be choppy on a front day, and the crew may move the trip. Fury says its tours “will not depart in unsafe weather conditions” and that it will try to reschedule you during your stay. Nobody publishes how often this happens.
- Your snorkel day belongs at the start of the trip, with a free day after it.
- Free cancellation matters. The reef trips on our best Key West snorkeling tours page show their policy on the listing.
Our winter snorkeling guide goes through fronts, wind and seasickness for the whole season.
Other experiences
Other Key West snorkeling trips to compare
More ways to explore the area. Each listing shows its own cancellation policy.
What to wear in February
February is still wetsuit weather in the water and light-jacket weather on deck.
- In the water: a wetsuit if you will stay in for the full stop. Fury says visitors in January or February “may prefer to use the wetsuits we provide.” Danger Charters lists “comfortable wetsuits for the winter months” on its half-day kayak, snorkel and sail trip. Elsewhere, ask, or bring a thin neoprene top. A rash guard is the minimum.
- On deck: a dry long-sleeve layer and a towel for the ride back.
- For the sun: a hat and reef-safe sunscreen. Fury requires sunscreen without oxybenzone or octinoxate on its boats and hands out mineral sunscreen free on its snorkel trips, and NOAA recommends a rash guard to cut the sunscreen that goes into the water.
Which trips make sense in February
Every regular Key West trip type runs in February. These suit the month.
- Midday reef sails. Sebago’s afternoon trip above, or Sunset Watersports’ Afternoon Reef Snorkeling with Open Bar at 1:00 p.m. See our afternoon snorkeling guide, and our morning versus afternoon comparison if you are still choosing.
- Fury’s wetsuit trips. Fury’s Reef Snorkeling with Drinks and Sunset Option on GetYourGuide has morning, afternoon and sunset departures; see our cheap snorkeling guide.
- Two-reef sunset trips come back. Sunset Watersports’ 2 Reef Snorkel With Sunset Cruise on GetYourGuide (from $70 per person, 4.4 from 84 reviews) first showed a bookable date of 31 January 2027 when we checked, so February is the first full month to look for it. Its Viator copy has dates from 7 March 2027.
- Beginners. If anyone in your group is new to snorkeling, a short, shallow first swim also keeps the time in cool water down. Dolphin Echo’s Shallow Water Snorkeling and Dolphin Watching is built around that, though it has no free cancellation. See our beginners guide.
February or March?
If you can choose between the two, the difference is a couple of degrees against a crowd.
- Water. March averages 75.9 °F at the gauge, about 2 °F warmer than February’s 73.8 °F, and April 78.9 °F.
- Rain. Both are dry. March is the driest month of the year in the NWS normals, at 1.41 inches.
- Crowds. Local press puts Key West’s spring break at roughly mid-March to April. 2027 school dates were not available when we checked, so look up the weeks that matter to you. February comes before it.
- Seasonal trips. More come back in March: Sunset Watersports’ Happy Hour Sandbar Adventure and Sunset Cruise first showed a bookable date of 7 March 2027 on GetYourGuide.
So February suits you if you want to travel before the spring break weeks and can live with wetsuit water; March suits you if you want a few more degrees and are happy to book ahead. For spring, summer and hurricane season, see our guide to the best time to snorkel in Key West. For the coldest month, see our January guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can you snorkel in Key West in February?
Yes. Snorkel boats run all through February. The water averages 73.8 °F at the Key West harbour gauge, so a wetsuit is a good idea for a full stop, and cold fronts bring some windy days when trips move.
Can you swim in Key West in February?
Yes, though the water is cool on entry at an average of 73.8 °F (23.2 °C). For a quick swim a rash guard is enough; for a full snorkel stop, a wetsuit keeps you comfortable.
What is the Key West water temperature in February?
NOAA’s long-term February mean for the Key West gauge is 73.8 °F (23.2 °C). In February 2024 it averaged about 71 °F, and Fury says reef water can dip into the mid-60s after a front.
Is February or March better for snorkeling in Key West?
March is about 2 °F warmer in the water (75.9 °F) and is the driest month, but spring break crowds arrive from roughly mid-March. February is cooler and comes before the spring break weeks.
Pick your morning or afternoon
Reef trips leave Key West most days of the year. Wind decides which reef the captain chooses, so check your date and book with free cancellation where you can.
Check dates and prices