What to Wear in Key West: Complete Key West Packing List

Are you planning a trip to Key West and wondering what to wear on your vacation?

For those who’ve never visited Key West before, coming up with a packing list might feel a little overwhelming. How casual is Duval Street? How many bathing suits do I need? Do I need a rain jacket?!

Florida weather is straightforward on the surface (WARM), but there are some items you absolutely want to pack for Key West that will make or break your trip!!

In this Key West packing list, I cover exactly what to wear in Key West in every season and must-have items for your packing list! I’ve also created a free, downloadable Florida Keys packing list that you can print out and use for your trip!

So whether this is your first time visiting Key West or you’re a seasoned Florida Keys traveler, this Key West packing guide will help you get ready for your next adventure in the Conch Republic!

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link or book through an affiliate program, I receive a small commission at no cost to you! 

A Detailed Guide on What to Wear in Key West for Every Season + Downloadable Packing List!

Frequently Asked Questions

Before we get into exactly what to wear in Key West, let’s cover some frequently asked questions about visiting Key West that will affect what to pack!

Mini Packing List for Key West

Here’s a high-level packing list for 3 Days in Key West that covers the essentials!

Later in this post, I’ll break down the major items you’ll need and also give some of my personal recommendations!

• 2-3 flowy dresses/rompers
• 2 pairs of jean shorts
• 1 pair of jeans (optional)
• 1 pair of flowy pants
• 2-3 tank tops / lightweight t-shirts
• 4 pairs of undies
• 2 bras/bralettes
• 2-3 bathing suits
• 1-2 bathing suit cover-ups
• 1 long-sleeve dry-fit shirt
• 1-2 pairs of pajamas
• 1 rain jacket
• 1 kimono / lightweight sweater
• hat & sunglasses
• beach towel
• reef-safe sunscreen
• after-sun lotion
• moisturizer with SPF
• lip balm with SPF
• bug spray
• GoPro
• underwater phone case
• snorkel & mask (fins optional)
• waterproof dry bag

Don’t forget to download my complete packing list as a printable so you can use it while packing!

Key West Weather and How to Dress for It

What to Wear in Key West in Winter

Referring to “winter” in Key West is kind of a misnomer! There’s nothing wintery about Key West, even if you visit in December, January, or February!

During the winter months in Key West, highs are typically in the mid-70s and lows are usually in the mid-60s. To most, this is perfect weather!

Of course, the Keys can get a sporadic cold front here and there. However, because Key West is so far south, it rarely gets below 55ºF, even when a cold snap hits!

So, if you are visiting Key West during the winter, make sure to check the weather before your trip to see if any cold fronts are expected. I recommend packing jeans and a lightweight sweater to wear at night! During the day, you can likely still wear shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, etc!

In terms of water temperature, the ocean will typically be between 70 and 75 degrees during the winter months. Depending on where you are from, this might feel chilly or totally normal!

As a Floridian, I would opt for a wet suit in the winter if I am scuba diving. However, if I am just snorkeling, I can typically get away with a long-sleeve bathing suit or maybe a shortie wet suit.

Don’t worry about buying these before your trip! If you are scuba diving, you’ll be able to rent these from your dive shop.

What to Wear in Key West in Spring

Spring (March – May) is my favorite time to visit the Keys! Highs during the day start to creep into the 80s, and lows are typically in the 70s.

Precipitation averages are quite low, so you can leave the rain jacket at home! Springtime in Key West means packing your standard Florida clothes like dresses, shorts, t-shirts, and tank tops!

Water temperatures also start to warm up, so you can likely skip the wetsuits while scuba diving and snorkeling.

What to Wear in Key West in Summer

Summer in Florida… you either hate it or you love it!

If you’ve never been to Florida during the summer, you might underestimate the heat and humidity. Temperatures often reach the 90s, so you’ll want to be near a body of water during the day. Luckily, there are plenty of choices for water activities in Key West, so make sure to pack plenty of bathing suits!

Water temperatures are extremely warm in summer, which is lovely! You can snorkel and dive in just a bathing suit and not worry about getting cold.

June through November also marks the Atlantic Hurricane Season, so you’ll need to prepare for the worst and make sure your trip is refundable!

In terms of typical weather, you can expect rain almost every afternoon, so I recommend packing a rain jacket and umbrella for summer in Key West! Don’t forget shoes that you don’t mind getting wet. Key West is prone to flooding thanks to the King Tides.

What to Wear in Key West in autumn

September and October are pretty much just an extension of summer in Key West, so your packing list won’t change much.

Temperatures finally start to cool down around November, and average rain chances lower, making November a perfect month to visit the Keys before high season! You will probably want a light sweater in the evenings, as lows may drop into the 60s.

What Clothing to Pack for Key West

Now let’s get into the details about what to wear in Key West, including my top recommendations for different types of clothing! I’ve been to the Keys over 10 times and like to think I have perfected my packing list, so I hope this helps you!

Bathing Suits & Coverups

Let’s start with the most obvious – bathing suits! Obviously, if you are visiting the Florida Keys, you will be getting in the water at some point. (If you’re not, you’re doing it wrong!)

Now I know everyone has different style preferences when it comes to bathing suits, but there are a few specific suits I LOVE for the Keys, which I will link below.

I highly recommend buying a long-sleeve swim top, which comes in handy when you’re snorkeling. With a long sleeve top, you don’t have to constantly put sunscreen on your back and arms!

In addition to bathing suits, you also want to pack one or two casual bathing suit coverups. These can be the fashionable crochet ones or simply an oversized, lightweight, long-sleeve shirt!

Personal Recommendations:

• Floral long-sleeve rash guard swim top
• Loose-fitting long sleeve swim top
• Hurley hooded zip-up rash guard
• Tropical long-sleeve one-piece
• Crochet swim cover-up dress
• Boho kimono cover-up
• Sheer crochet long-sleeve shirt dress
• Oversized white long-sleeve shirt

Sundresses, Skirts, and Pants

The Florida Keys are extremely casual, so there’s no need to buy fancy dresses or high heels! Most women will wear casual dresses, skirts, or shorts, day and night!

I recommend packing a few sundresses that are loose-fitting and breathable. After all, you will be doing a lot of walking during your time in Key West, so you want to be comfy!

Another great thing to pack for Key West is a pair of flowy beach pants. If you are going on a Key West sunset cruise, pants come in handy (recs below), so you don’t have to worry about your dress or skirt blowing up in the wind!

Two other staples I will always pack for Key West are jean shorts and a few casual tank tops!

Personal Recommendations:

• Lulu’s Out Tonight two-piece jumpsuit (I’m obsessed with this outfit!!)
• Lulu’s / Oneil wrap dress
• Casual white linen pants
• Floral red beach pants
• Old navy casual jumpsuit
• Lulu’s Floral two-piece jumpsuit

What Accessories to Pack for Key West

Alright, now that we’ve covered the main clothing items, let’s get into all the accessories you’ll need to pack for Key West. I’m talking about everything from snorkel and mask to your GoPro here!

Beach & Underwater Gear for Key West

If you’re heading to Key West, you’ll want to pack the basic beach gear like sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat! Make sure your sunscreen is REEF-SAFE – this is SO important to protect the beautiful coral in the Keys! I also highly recommend polarized sunglasses so you can see into the water.

Having an after-sun lotion like Aloe also can’t hurt. Of course, I recommend wearing plenty of sunscreen so you don’t NEED aloe, but it really helps if you do get sunburnt. Also, don’t forget chapstick with SPF!

Bug spray comes in handy in the Keys, especially if you are visiting during peak mosquito season from May through October.

For those driving to Key West, you might want to bring your own beach towels or beach blankets, but it’s not required!

If you are prone to any kind of seasickness, I highly recommend Dramamine pills or motion sickness patches. Nothing ruins a fun snorkeling excursion like getting seasick (ask me how I know!!!).

In terms of underwater accessories, there’s no better way to capture your underwater adventures than using a GoPro. However, if you don’t have one, an underwater phone pouch will also do the trick!

Don’t forget a dry bag to take on the boat with you to protect your valuables from water. In addition, a beach bag for the daytime always comes in handy.

Shoes for Key West West

In terms of footwear, of course you will need FLIP FLOPS! Because you can’t go to Florida without flip-flops, right?

Instead of flip-flops, I actually prefer these waterproof Reef sandals! They are my go-to shoes for all tropical vacations. You can wear them to the beach, on the boat, and even in the water if needed. Plus, they’re way more stylish than the traditional “water shoes”. They’re also great for walking around town because they’re SO comfy!

In addition to waterproof sandals, I recommend packing a nicer pair of sandals for the evenings. If you are doing a lot of walking during the day, a pair of sneakers can’t hurt!

Like I mentioned earlier, you can leave the high-heels at home. You won’t need them in Key West!

Miscellaneous Accessories

In addition to all the items we’ve already covered, I always bring a reusable water bottle with me on trips! There aren’t a ton of water fountains around Key West, but you can fill up your bottle at your hotel before you leave for the day. This is especially good for days you are enjoying one of the beautiful Key West beaches or going on the boat!

As I mentioned earlier in this post, if you are visiting Key West in the wintertime, you should also pack a lightweight jacket or sweater to bring with you to dinner in the evenings. The best Key West restaurants are typically outside where you can enjoy live music, and you don’t want to be cold if the weather is cool!

Lastly, one of my top packing tips is to use packing cubes to organize your luggage! This makes it so much easier when traveling, so your clothes don’t end up in a jumbled mess in your suitcase.

Final Thoughts

Although you will need more than bathing suits and flip-flops, packing for the Keys doesn’t have to be difficult! Choosing what to wear in Key West comes down to embracing the warm weather and casual dress code.

However, always make sure to check the weather before your trip! In summer, you might be surprised by a last-minute hurricane. And in winter, cold snaps might pop up, so it’s best to be prepared!

And make sure to download my free Key West packing list to make your life as easy as possible while preparing for your trip to the Florida Keys!

Planning a trip to the Keys? Here are some other Florida Keys blog posts to help!
Ultimate Florida Keys Travel Guide
Key Largo to Key West Road Trip Itinerary
Best Times to Visit the Florida Keys
Key Largo vs Key West: Which Key is Better?

Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!!