Key West in April: Helpful Tips for Having the Best Spring Trip

girl walking by wall covered in colorful spring flowers - Key West in April

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you buy or book through one of these links, I may earn a small commission .

Are you headed down to Key West for an April escape? This sunny destination brings the fun and beauty all times of the year, and Key West in April is no exception. That said, this balmy spring month brings its own unique set of perks and even a couple minor challenges.

April is certainly a popular month to visit Key West, and you’ll find lots of people wandering past the shops and bars of Duval Street during that time. However, this month is typically when peak season starts to wind down as summer approaches. This makes April a bit of a sweet spot when crowds thin and pleasant weather remains.

Being from Ohio, I’ve chosen Key West twice now for a spring getaway. Both instances brought me an instant pick-me-up from Ohio’s gray, damp weather. Plus, I’ll look for any excuse to head to a tropical climate when possible!

Below, I’ve pulled together a complete guide to having an awesome April trip to Key West. This includes what to wear, sunset viewing times, and even seasonal foods to look out for!

This article was originally published in June 2021 and was updated in February 2024.


What to Know When Visiting Key West in April

Key West in April: A Snapshot

  • Hours of Daylight: April begins with about 12.5 hours of daylight, and ends with slightly over 13 hours.
  • Temperature: The average high in April is 81° F, and the average low is 723° F. The perfect beach weather!
  • Rainfall: April is one of the driest months of the year in Key West, with average rainfall of 1.7 inches. You’ll definitely feel that sun beaming down on you, so sunscreen is a must!
  • Popularity: After a peak in March, the crowds somewhat thin in April. However, you can still expect this to be a fairly busy time of year in Key West.
  • Biggest Events: Conch Republic Independence Celebration, 7 Mile Bridge Run, Afro Roots World Festival

April Weather in Key West

girl in black romper with iced coffee under Mallory Square sign

Key West is hot and dry in April. Temperatures range in the low to mid-80’s and there are plenty of sunny days. These are the perfect conditions for the beach or a road trip down the Overseas Highway from Miami to Key West.

That said, the sun can feel really strong. To beat the heat, bring sunscreen and consider doing your exploring in the morning when it’s a little cooler. Walking around becomes much less fun in the afternoon when the sun is hottest and you’re sweating through all your clothes.

As walking warms your body up faster, it helps to rent a bike or scooter to decrease time spent in the heat. Additionally, many of Key West’s restaurants are open air for enjoying the beautiful weather, but it’s also nice to eat indoors in the a/c a couple times. We also took plenty of mid afternoon breaks at our Airbnb to cool off.

Travel Savvy Tip

Bring extra socks, underwear, and outfits. You will likely sweat though your clothes while exploring and will probably want to change in the evening before dinner.

Bringing light, breathable clothing will also help prevent you from overheating. Denim is not your friend in the humidity. 

Crowdedness Level of an April Visit

people gathered at Mallory Square during sunset - Key West in April

Even though high season begins to taper off during April in Key West, it’s still a busy time of year. Many parts of the northern United States are still chilly (even with occasional snow) during this time. Therefore, lots of travelers are still heading south in search of warm sunny days.

During our April visit, there were definitely a lot of people in Key West, but not so much that it hindered any sightseeing. However, restaurants and experiences will book up quickly, so make reservations in advance for anything you want to do. 

For example, we wanted to return to Latitudes on Sunset Key, which is one of the most beautiful places to dine in the Florida Keys. I made reservations about a month in advance, and the best time available was 8:45 pm.

Be sure to also book popular excursions, like the ferry or seaplane to Dry Tortugas National Park, as far ahead of time as possible.

Key West Beaches in April

blue sky at Smathers Beach - Key West in April

The hot, humid weather of Key West in April will lure you straight to the surrounding turquoise waters.

However, I must warn you – there could be smelly, unsightly seaweed at some of the beaches during this time of year. Sargassum seaweed has unfortunately become a seasonal occurrence in the eastern Caribbean, the Atlantic and the Gulf Coast. It generally washes ashore beginning in February through August, and it will probably be making landfall during your April trip.

I can vouch for the presence of this seaweed during my April visit, though the distribution was uneven. I noticed the biggest problems at eastern facing beaches, such as Bahia Honda State Park and Smathers Beach. 

The good news is that you probably aren’t going to Key West for the beaches anyhow, since they’ve never been the highlight of this city. However, if you do crave beach time, I did not notice nearly as much seaweed at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park or Dry Tortugas National Park.

Sunsets/Sunrises in April

sunrise from Higgs Beach in Key West

Sunsets are spectacular in Key West, so you’ll want to know what time to look out for them. The sunset will be anywhere from 7:45 pm to 8:00 pm, depending on if you visit early or late in April.

The most popular viewing spot is Mallory Square, which holds a nightly sunset celebration. You should arrive at least an hour before sunset to find a good seat by the water. If you’d like to level up your experience, this sunset sail is still one of our favorite travel experiences to date!

Don’t forget about sunrises! This does require you to rise out of bed early on your vacation, but Key West sunrises are totally worth it. 

I recommend heading to the pier at Higgs Beach for the best viewing. The sunrise is anywhere from 7:10 am in early April to 6:52 am later in the month.

Travel Savvy Tip

If you are staying near Duval Street, Higgs Beach might be a bit of a walk for you, requiring an even earlier rise. This is where renting a bike really comes in handy. It’s the difference between a 20-minute or 5-minute journey. 

On a personal note, we went on foot in order to save money. The result was a rushed mile-long walk because we were running late, and I had a sore hip for several months afterward.

Know your limits. Renting a bike is definitely cheaper than incurring potential physical therapy costs!

Food in April

BBQ shrimp dish at Blue Heaven

Delicious food abounds in Key West year-round, but there are a few special menu items to look for in April. Again – make restaurant reservations in advance where you can.

Take advantage of the following foods being in season during an April visit to Key West:

  • Key West Pink Shrimp: You can find this local shrimp variety in dishes all over Key West. I for one loved it at Blue Heaven in their Caribbean “BBQ” Shrimp dish.
  • Stone Crab: Claws of stone crabs are served cold with a side of mustard. Eat this splurge meal at Alonzo’s Oyster Bar or Half Shell Raw Bar.

Key West Events in April

Albert Kee Conch-Blowing Statue in Key West

Keep an eye out for the following Key West festivals that take place in April:

  • Conch Republic Independence Celebration: On April 23rd, celebrate the formation of The Conch Republic, when the Florida Keys seceded from the Union for a day. You can read the highly entertaining history of it here.
  • 7 Mile Bridge Run: Annual race over the famous Seven Mile Bridge in the lower Florida Keys. Offers the unique experience of being surrounded by water during your run.
  • Afro Roots World Festival: A culturally diverse event held at the Green Parrot Bar that celebrates African musicians from various nationalities and genres.

• • •

Now you are all set for an amazing visit to Key West in April. This is a wonderful time of year to enjoy warm days and plenty of sunshine. Just be sure to book your favorite dinners and tours in advance, and you’ll be good to go!

What to know when traveling to Key West, Florida in April.  Spring is a lovely time for a trip to Key West in the Florida Keys.  Here are the top tips for an epic Key West vacation, including what to wear, eat, and do.  You'll have the best time, whether chilling at Key West's beaches or bar hopping on Duval Street.
What to know when traveling to Key West, Florida in April.  Spring is a lovely time for a trip to Key West in the Florida Keys.  Here are the top tips for an epic Key West vacation, including what to wear, eat, and do.  You'll have the best time, whether chilling at Key West's beaches or bar hopping on Duval Street.
What to know when traveling to Key West, Florida in April.  Spring is a lovely time for a trip to Key West in the Florida Keys.  Here are the top tips for an epic Key West vacation, including what to wear, eat, and do.  You'll have the best time, whether chilling at Key West's beaches or bar hopping on Duval Street.
What to know when traveling to Key West, Florida in April.  Spring is a lovely time for a trip to Key West in the Florida Keys.  Here are the top tips for an epic Key West vacation, including what to wear, eat, and do.  You'll have the best time, whether chilling at Key West's beaches or bar hopping on Duval Street.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

Instagram

@fueledbywanderlust