Visiting Key West by yacht
When to come to Key West, an event in November, where yachts anchor and how to get here.
Picture made with AI. It shows the place but is not a photograph.
When to come
| Months | Mean high | Rain per month | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| November to April | 24 to 28 C | 39 to 55 mm | Hurricane season ends on 30 November |
| May | 30 C | 79 mm | Hurricane season starts on 1 June |
| June to September | 32 to 33 C | 92 to 184 mm | Hurricane season |
| October | 30 C | 144 mm | Hurricane season |
Source: NOAA NCEI, 1991 to 2020 monthly normals, Key West International Airport. Season bands are our own estimate.
Events and dates
Key West Harbor Walk of Lights opening
Wednesday 25 November 2026, 18:00, at Greene and Elizabeth Street Plaza, Key West Historic Seaport. The lighting of the Giant Fishing Buoy Christmas tree opens the Harbor Walk of Lights.
Where yachts anchor
Man of War Harbor
North of the city. NOAA Coast Pilot 4 calls it the best anchorage for vessels up to 150 ft long. Depths are 14 to 26 ft. Wrecks lie in the harbour.
West of the city
Outside the federal channel and the upper turning basin, in depths of 20 to 26 ft. Reefs rise abruptly along the edges of the channels (NOAA Coast Pilot 4).
Southwest of Fort Taylor
Outer anchorages in depths of 20 to 35 ft. They are somewhat exposed and are safe for vessels with good ground tackle (NOAA Coast Pilot 4).
Where not to anchor
Anchoring near Key West Bight Channel Light 2 is not recommended because of poor holding ground, strong currents and blocked dock approaches. Anchoring or mooring in Garrison Bight is not permitted, except in an emergency or as shelter in bad weather (NOAA Coast Pilot 4).
Hurricane advice
1 June to 30 November
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November (US National Hurricane Center).
Leave early
NOAA Coast Pilot 4 advises masters of deep-draft vessels to assess a tropical cyclone threat early, because of shortages of tug power and a lack of protected anchorages and piers at Key West. It names evasion at sea as the recommended course for seaworthy deep-draft vessels that can make 15 knots or more.
Getting here
Key West International Airport
3491 S. Roosevelt Blvd, Key West FL 33040. Phone 305-809-5200 (Monroe County).
Harbor entrance
Key West Harbor is 134 miles from Miami Harbor by the inside route and 151 miles by the coastwise route. The Main Ship Channel is the only deep-draft approach. Refer to the pilotage rules on the berths page.
Sources. Checked 8 November 2026.
- NOAA NCEI, 1991 to 2020 monthly normals, Key West International Airport
- US National Hurricane Center, climatology
- NOAA Coast Pilot 4, chapter 11
- NOAA Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, regulations
- 15 CFR 922.163, sanctuary-wide prohibited activities
- 15 CFR 922.164, additional activity regulations by sanctuary area
- 22 CFR 41.41, crewmen
- 19 CFR 101.3, customs ports of entry
- City of Key West, Key West Bight Marina
- Integra Marinas, The Perry Marina
- Dockwalk, The Perry Marina Key West (sponsored), 2 November 2023
- Conch Harbor Marina, slips
- Monroe County, airports
- Key West Holiday Fest, Harbor Walk of Lights
- UKSA annual superyacht salary guide 2025
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