Key West, FL

Worst times to visit Key West

The weeks, days and hours locals would tell you to avoid in Key West — and what to do instead.

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The worst time to visit Key West is the week of Fantasy Fest
Unless costumed crowds and triple hotel rates are your thing, avoid late October. Locals leave for a reason.
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Skip Key West on a three-ship cruise day — Duval becomes a conga line
When three ships dock at once, ten thousand people share one street for six hours and every bar runs a forty-minute wait. Check the port schedule before you book; the quiet days are hiding in plain sight.
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Fantasy Fest is the worst week to book a Key West hotel, not the best
Unless costumes and tripled rates are the entire point of your trip, the last week of October is when the island is most expensive and least relaxing. Come two weeks earlier for the same weather and half the chaos.
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Key West month by month

Spring break — busy. March. Duval gets loud and young, and rates climb with it.

Shoulder season — good. Late April to early June. Warm water, thinner crowds, rates off their peak. The locals' answer.

Shoulder season — good. Late April to early June. Warm water, thinner crowds, rates off their peak. The locals' answer.