Best time to visit The Florida Panhandle
The best time to visit the Florida Panhandle is usually May, June and October, when a typical day grades A-, B+ and A-. January and February are the weakest (C- and C). Seaweed is usually lightest in February and June and heaviest in October and November. The quietest months are January and December, and storm risk peaks in September.
Pick a month
The Florida Panhandle month by month
| Month | Typical day | High | Water | Rain chance | Seaweed | Crowds | Storm risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | C- | 61°F | 60°F | 32% | Very low | Quiet | Very low |
| February | C | 66°F | 61°F | 33% | Very low | Moderate | Very low |
| March | B- | 71°F | 66°F | 35% | Very low | Very busy | Very low |
| April | B+ | 75°F | 71°F | 29% | Low | Busy | Very low |
| May | A- | 81°F | 78°F | 45% | Low | Busy | Very low |
| June | B+ | 86°F | 84°F | 64% | Very low | Very busy | Very low |
| July | B | 87°F | 86°F | 76% | Low | Very busy | Low |
| August | B | 88°F | 87°F | 69% | Low | Busy | High |
| September | B | 85°F | 85°F | 51% | Low | Moderate | High |
| October | A- | 78°F | 78°F | 22% | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| November | B+ | 71°F | 72°F | 24% | Moderate | Moderate | Very low |
| December | C+ | 65°F | 65°F | 31% | Low | Moderate | Very low |
Typical-month numbers from Veabird's year-ahead outlook for the 19 resorts here (median resort). Grades weigh seaweed, temperature, rain, sun, water, waves, wind, UV, crowds, storm risk and travel safety.
Best beaches in the Florida Panhandle
Resorts with the best typical May, and their grades for the next few days.
- St. George Island Beach Rentals May A-SatBSunC+MonCTueBWedB
- Mexico Beach Resorts May A-SatBSunC+MonC-TueB+WedB+
- Navarre Beach Resorts May A-SatB+SunCMonBTueB+WedA-
- Portofino Island Resort May A-SatB-SunCMonBTueBWedB+
- Hilton Pensacola Beach May A-SatB-SunCMonBTueBWedB+
- Margaritaville Beach Hotel Pensacola Beach May A-SatB-SunCMonBTueBWedB+
- Perdido Key Beach Resorts May A-SatBSunC+MonB+TueB+WedB+
- Cape San Blas Beach Rentals May A-SatBSunB-MonCTueB+WedB+
Grades for the next few days from Veabird's beach forecast, updated Oct 3, 18:00 UTC. Higher is better: A+ to F.
Questions
- When is the best time to visit the Florida Panhandle?
- The best time to visit the Florida Panhandle is usually May, June and October, when a typical day grades A-, B+ and A-. January and February are the weakest (C- and C). Seaweed is usually lightest in February and June and heaviest in October and November. The quietest months are January and December, and storm risk peaks in September.
- When is sargassum season in the Florida Panhandle?
- In a typical year seaweed is heaviest in April, October and November and lightest in February and June. The Atlantic sargassum belt varies a lot from year to year; Veabird's weekly sargassum report tracks the current season.
- When is the cheapest and least crowded time to visit the Florida Panhandle?
- Crowds are usually lightest in January and December and heaviest in June and July (US summer school break). Quieter months usually mean lower hotel rates.
- When is hurricane season in the Florida Panhandle?
- Storm risk runs from about July to October and peaks in September.
- When is the water warmest in the Florida Panhandle?
- The sea is warmest in July and August (about 87°F) and coolest in January and February (about 60°F).