Did you know that Florida’s tourism visitors contribute $96.5 billion to the state’s economy? The warm weather and variety of vacation activities make Florida a bit of a no-brainer for tourism.
However, the reality is that certain times of the year can make Florida miserable for certain activities. Scorching hot temperatures and large crowds have the potential to ruin a vacation.
So, exactly when is the best time to visit Florida? If you want to know the answer to these questions and more, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll explain the best season to see the state — both broadly and with more specific activities. Let’s get started!
When Is the Best Time to Visit Florida?
The best time to visit Florida depends on the specific activity that you want to do. However, you can also break it down into more general categories.
Both categories revolve around the months with the least amount of rainfall. Florida gets a lot of rain which doesn’t mesh well with a lot of vacation activities. The first category is visiting Florida when there is little rain and cool temperatures. The best time to do this is either in April,November and in December holidays.
These months have the lowest rainfall and cool temperatures. However, keep in mind that Florida has a different definition of cool weather (75 to 90 degrees). So, pack accordingly.
The second category is visiting Florida when there is little rain and warm weather. May and October are generally the best time for this category. This is right before the temperature gets blisteringly hot. Plus, it’s the next best thing to April and November in terms of rainfall.
When is the Worst Time to Visit Florida?
From June through September you have huge amounts of rainfall. However, June has the most rain so if there’s one month to avoid it it’s that one. On top of that, the temperature and humidity are often too much for many vacationers to handle.
Keep in mind that you also risk running into a tropical storm from late summer to fall. In some cases, this can even turn into a hurricane which will likely end any vacation plans.
The Best Time to Visit Theme Parks in Florida
There are tons of famous theme parks found in central Florida. Walt Disney World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Studios, and Legoland are just some of the options to choose from.
Three factors determine when is the best time to visit these parks: the weather, the crowds, and your schedule. For weather, we recommend either late March or late October.
You can go anytime during the winter too for some relatively good weather. These days the parks tend to be crowded no matter what. However, you can usually avoid a ton of waiting if you go directly after Thanksgiving or during December.
Finally, there isn’t much you can control when it comes to your schedule. If you have children or work as a teacher, then summer is probably the only time you can go. Sadly, this is the worst time both for crowds and for the weather. As such, you might want to rethink your trip if that’s the only time you’re available.
The Best Time to Visit the Beach
Want to visit the beautiful beaches in Florida? We recommend going in the warm months of October or May. There are two reasons you should hold off on a Summer beach trip if you can help it.
First, there are frequent thunderstorms and lightning storms in the afternoon. This can clear the water and leave you in swelteringly hot weather. There are also bugs to worry about.
Sandflies appear on the beaches in huge numbers during hot weather. Without repellent there bites often hurt more than mosquitoes. Plus, they’re small and nearly impossible to see. As such, stick to October or May for the best type of Florida beach weather.
The Best Time to See Wildlife
There are tons of unique forms of wildlife to enjoy in Florida. If you’re interested in birdwatching, then you should check out the state from January to April.
This is the best time to see shorebirds. You can also see some different varieties between October and December. The good news is that the other forms of wildlife and typically visible all year round. This includes animals like:
- Alligators
- Manatees
- Dolphins
- Reptiles
- Amphibians
And, if you can’t find them in the wild, then consider going to one of the many wildlife preserves or sanctuaries.
The Best Time For Sightseeing Tours
There are tons of sightseeing destinations found in Florida. Historic lighthouses, the everglades, and beautiful helicopter tours, like those offered by Ultimate HeliTours (Ultimate-helitours.com), are just some of the options.
If this is your main reason for visiting Florida, then you will want to make sure that the weather is as clear as possible. This means avoiding the afternoon storms that run from June to November.
These types of storms can ruin the sightseeing experience by canceling tours and spoiling otherwise pristine views. As such, Winter or early Spring is a good time for sightseeing.
Depending on the weather it might not be warm enough for swimming. But, for sightseeing, the weather should be clear and temperate enough to enjoy the sights.
Want More Content? Keep Exploring
We hope this article helped you find out when the best time to visit Florida is for your next vacation. As you can see, the answer mainly depends on what you plan on doing.
So, make an itinerary of things you want to do and then pick the season that best corresponds with those activities. That way, you get the most out of your next Florida vacation. Did you enjoy this article? If the answer is yes, then you’re in the right place. Keep reading to find more topics that you’re sure to love.
