1. Key West
Best for: warmest winter weather | Vibe: end-of-the-road town | Nearest airport: EYW (Key West) | Season: December to April, highs in the upper 70s
Key West is the warmest place in the continental US in winter, with highs in the upper 70s to low 80s and water still swimmable. December through April is peak, so the Mallory Square sunsets, Duval Street, and the reef trips all run at full tilt. It is 3.5 to 4 hours south of Miami at the end of the Overseas Highway.
This is also peak season for the Dry Tortugas ferry, which sells out weeks ahead, so book early. For a harborfront base, the Opal Key Resort & Marina sits by Mallory Square. See Key West and the Florida Keys.
2. Miami Beach
Best for: winter sun with nightlife | Vibe: Art Deco, wide sand | Nearest airport: MIA | Season: December to April, highs in the mid-70s to low 80s
Miami Beach is the classic snowbird sun-and-scene escape: the pastel Art Deco hotels of Ocean Drive, wide South Beach sand, and Lincoln Road shopping, all in mid-70s to low-80s winter warmth. Winter and spring are the peak, priciest window, so book ahead, but the payoff is warm days when home is under snow.
Landmark hotels like the Fontainebleau Miami Beach and 1 Hotel South Beach anchor the strip. See Miami Beach and the wider South Florida.
3. Naples
Best for: upscale calm and golf | Vibe: polished beach city | Nearest airport: RSW (Fort Myers) | Season: December to April, highs in the mid-70s
Naples is peak snowbird country in winter: mid-70s days, calm Gulf sunsets, championship golf, and the Fifth Avenue South dining scene. The dry season is the best time to pair it with the Everglades and Ten Thousand Islands at the edge of town, about two hours from Miami across Alligator Alley.
Winter is high season, so golf tee times and beachfront rooms book early. See Naples in Southwest Florida, and browse the hotels and resorts directory.
4. Crystal River
Best for: swimming with manatees | Vibe: Nature Coast fishing town | Nearest airport: TPA (Tampa) | Season: November to March
Winter is the whole point at Crystal River. As the Gulf cools, hundreds of manatees crowd into the 72-degree spring water at Three Sisters Springs from November through March, and this is the one place in the US where you can legally swim and snorkel with them. It is a warm-water wildlife day even when the air is cool.
It sits about 90 minutes north of Tampa, with guided in-water tours from local operators. Read the full guide to Crystal River and the Nature Coast.
5. Marco Island
Best for: resort winter with family | Vibe: calm crescent beach and golf | Nearest airport: RSW (Fort Myers) | Season: December to April
Marco Island south of Naples is a self-contained winter resort base, with a long, calm crescent beach, full-service hotels, golf, and mangrove boat tours into the Ten Thousand Islands. Mid-70s days and warm Gulf water make it an easy family escape from the cold.
The JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort anchors the beachfront. See Marco Island.
6. Sanibel Island
Best for: shelling in cool comfort | Vibe: low-key, wildlife refuge | Nearest airport: RSW (Fort Myers) | Season: December to April
Winter is prime shelling season on Sanibel, with cooler air, fewer bugs, and strong tides that pile shells on the beach. The J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is at its best for birding in the dry months. The islands are rebuilding after Hurricane Ian in 2022, so check current access before booking.
It is about 45 minutes from RSW near Fort Myers. See Sanibel and Captiva Islands.
7. The Everglades
Best for: wildlife and airboats | Vibe: sawgrass wilderness | Nearest airport: MIA | Season: November to April
The dry season is the only time to do the Everglades right. From November through April, water levels drop, wildlife concentrates at the gator holes, and the mosquitoes are bearable. Take the Shark Valley tram, drive the road to Flamingo from Homestead, or run the Ten Thousand Islands from Everglades City.
It is the largest tropical wilderness in the US and an easy day from Miami or Naples. See Everglades National Park.
8. St. Pete Beach
Best for: mild Gulf beach with a city | Vibe: pink-hotel landmark | Nearest airport: TPA (Tampa) | Season: December to April, highs around 70
The Tampa Bay beaches run a touch cooler than South Florida in winter, with highs around 70, but St. Pete Beach still delivers calm Gulf water, the pink Don CeSar landmark, and the arts and Dali Museum in downtown St. Pete 15 minutes away. It is a milder, less expensive winter option than Miami or the Keys. Head farther north to the Panhandle and winter turns chilly, with cool nights and water too cold for swimming, so save the Emerald Coast for the warmer months.
The Island Grand at TradeWinds sits right on the sand. See St. Pete Beach, then compare picks across the state with the best places to visit in Florida, the top Florida beaches, or the full Florida travel guide.
9. Palm Beach and West Palm Beach
Best for: upscale winter sun | Vibe: barrier-island resort, Worth Avenue | Nearest airport: PBI (West Palm Beach) | Season: December to April, highs in the mid-70s to low 80s
Palm Beach is the original winter address, a barrier-island resort that fills every year from December through April when the northeast freezes. Highs sit in the mid-70s to low 80s, the Worth Avenue shops and the Flagler Museum fill the cooler afternoons, and West Palm Beach across the Intracoastal adds waterfront dining and nightlife with its own airport at PBI, about 70 minutes north of Miami. The 1896 landmark The Breakers Palm Beach anchors the oceanfront with its golf and beach club. Winter is the peak, priciest window here, so book well ahead. See Palm Beach and West Palm Beach in South Florida, and browse the hotels and resorts directory.
Frequently asked questions
Where is warmest in Florida in winter?
The Florida Keys and South Florida stay warmest. Key West runs highs in the upper 70s to low 80s from December through April, and Miami and Naples sit in the mid-70s to low 80s. North Florida and the Panhandle are noticeably cooler and can see chilly nights.
Is the water warm enough to swim in Florida in winter?
In the Keys and South Florida, generally yes, with water in the low to mid-70s that most people find swimmable. Farther north on the Gulf and Atlantic, winter water can dip into the low 60s, so it is better for beach walking than long swims.
When is the best time for a Florida winter escape?
The dry season, roughly December through April, is the peak travel window: warm, sunny, and low-humidity across the southern half of the state. It is also the best time for the Everglades, the springs, and manatee season at Crystal River, which runs November through March.
Can you see manatees in Florida in winter?
Yes, winter is the best time. As the Gulf cools, manatees crowd into the 72-degree springs at Crystal River from November through March, and it is the one place in the US where you can legally swim and snorkel with them on a guided in-water tour.