Visiting the Sandbars of Key West are definitely one of the top attractions on the Island and the wintertime is no
exception. While we all expect a picture perfect beach right out of a pamphlet reality can be quite different if you visit at the wrong time.
So when is the best time to visit the Sandbars?
One of the top questions we get asked is it better to visit in the morning or the afternoon? Surely the sun will be out and it will be warmer by the afternoon. Well that isn't always the case. Typically in the winter we may get windy and overcast days with little variation in temperature from the morning to the afternoon especially after a cold front. So when is the best time? Well it really depends on the day. The best time to visit the sandbars on cold days after a cold front is typically during the low tide. You will see the most visible amount of sand/beach while visiting and provides more options for staying dry if you choose to. Don't get caught up on the tides however because there are many different places to visit that can also be great during the high tide as well. On nice days the temperatures can start out cooler and warm up slightly through the day so you will get a slightly higher air temperature in the afternoon but the water temperatures will likely remain the same.
What are tides?
Tides are the movement of water caused by the gravitational pull of the moon on the earth. As the moon and the earth rotate water bulges out on the side and opposite side closest to the moon. As the earth rotates through these parts we experience a high tide. The opposite being the low tide when the water is the lowest.
What does that mean for the Sandbars?
Visiting the sandbars at the low tide is when the water level has reached its lowest point and can be the difference between this image on the left and the high tide on the right.
Same beach but very different. Which would you rather visit when the water temperature is between 67-76 degrees?
Is the water too cold?
That depends on who you ask. Most of our winter guest are visiting from some really cold places year round. If I had a dollar for every time I heard "This is like a nice summer day for us back in [Insert State]" I would have a much bigger boat. Typically the water temperature can vary anywhere from 66 - 76 degrees depending on the frequency and intensity of cold fronts. Recently things have been in the warmer side of the spectrum and even this Florida native gets in the water.
What about snorkeling and other activities?
While the winter time typically isn't the best time for underwater activities due to the frequent windy days and cooler water temperatures there are still some really great days between cold fronts that allow for really good snorkeling and lobstering. Paddle boarding is always a great option even on the windy days with lots of protected mangrove tunnels to paddle through. The winter is also a great time to opt for an eco tour as we have lots of wildlife active this time of year in the backcountry from birds to dolphins and everything underneath the sea.
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