Question about visiting the Keys during the winter

[oscarkitty1]

Will the water temperature in the Keys in early February be warm enough to swim/snorkel without wetsuits? I've been checking the average water temperture for this time of year, and it looks like it averages around 70 degrees.

Will that feel warm to someone from the midwest?

The last time I went to the Keys it was November. I recall the water being very pleasantly warm. From what I've found, the average water temp at that time of year is 76.

Will that 6 degree difference feel a lot colder?

Please help a "usually land-locked" DISer!

 

[JessicaR]

I wouldnt do it w/o a wetsuit. Dec-Feb, wear a wetsuit (5mm). You can rent one! But thats me and I do NOT like to be cold. Have a great time.

*Ohh sorry for some reason I thought you asked about Scuba. Even still I would wear a wetsuit in February. It was 69 degrees in February, Key Largo according to my husbands log.

 

[Kathi OD]

It might depend on where in the Keys you are. DH and I have been to Key West in Feb. and didn't need a wetsuit. At the top of the Keys, you might definitely need one.

 

[oscarkitty1]

We are going to the Dry Tortugas off of Key West, so hopefully we'll be okay!

The thought of squeezing into a wet suit was making me !!

Thanks!!

 

[TinklednPants]

I swim nekkie year round. No problem. If it's chilly have a drink first. This is the Keys.

 

[oscarkitty1]

I swim nekkie year round. No problem. If it's chilly have a drink first. This is the Keys.

 

[WhereOWhere]

November tends to be much warmer in the Keys than February. My parents are down there right now, and it was in the 30's at night 2 days ago, so I doubt you would want to be in the ocean during the day in that kind of weather.

Most cold weather doesn't really start to affect Florida until after the New Year, so I wouldn't use November as your judge.

That being said, there is always a chance you could get some really nice "warm" weather in February, but it's not a given.