How warm is Tampa Bay in December?

Typical highs are about 73°F and the sea is about 67°F. The water is on the cool side for long swims.

Is there sargassum in Tampa Bay in December?

In a typical year seaweed is low in December. It is usually lightest in January and February and heaviest in October and November. Landings vary a lot by year, wind and currents; Veabird's weekly sargassum report and each beach's page have the current forecast.

Is December hurricane season in Tampa Bay?

No. Storm risk is very low in December.

How crowded is Tampa Bay in December?

Typically busy, around Christmas & holiday break. The quietest months are usually September and October.

Tampa Bay in December

December is a middling month for Tampa Bay: a typical day grades B, the 7th best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 73°F, water around 67°F and about a 19% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually low in December. Beaches are typically busy (Christmas & holiday break).

Typical dayB7th of 12 months

Highs / water73°FSea 67°F

Rain chance19%on a given day

SeaweedLowtypical year

CrowdsBusyChristmas & holiday break

Storm riskVery lowoutside storm season

Tampa Bay month by month

Typical grade and high for each month. Higher is better: A+ to F.

November: A- · December: B · January: C+. The best months are usually April, May and October, and the weakest are January and February.

Best beaches in Tampa Bay in December

Resorts with the best typical December, and their grades for the next few days.

Beach	Typical Dec	Seaweed	This week
Siesta Key Beach Resorts	B+	Low	SatB+SunB+MonB+TueB+WedB
Lido Beach Resort	B+	Low	SatB+SunB+MonA-TueB+WedB
The Resort at Longboat Key Club	B+	Low	SatB+SunA-MonB+TueB+WedB
Zota Beach Resort	B+	Low	SatB+SunA-MonB+TueB+WedB
Anna Maria Island Beach Resorts	B+	Low	SatB+SunA-MonB+TueB+WedB+
The Don CeSar	B+	Low	SatB+SunA-MonB+TueB+WedB+
Sirata Beach Resort	B+	Low	SatB+SunA-MonB+TueB+WedB+
TradeWinds Island Grand	B+	Low	SatB+SunA-MonB+TueB+WedB+

Grades for the next few days from Veabird's beach forecast, updated Oct 3, 18:00 UTC. Higher is better: A+ to F.

Better beach options in December

Elsewhere in Florida & the Gulf Coast, Southwest Florida (A-) and Florida Keys (A-) usually grade higher in December. Further afield: Huatulco (A), Puerto Vallarta (A) and Los Cabos (A). Every destination in December.

Questions

Is December a good time to visit Tampa Bay?: December is a middling month for Tampa Bay: a typical day grades B, the 7th best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 73°F, water around 67°F and about a 19% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually low in December. Beaches are typically busy (Christmas & holiday break).
How warm is Tampa Bay in December?: Typical highs are about 73°F and the sea is about 67°F. The water is on the cool side for long swims.
Is there sargassum in Tampa Bay in December?: In a typical year seaweed is low in December. It is usually lightest in January and February and heaviest in October and November. Landings vary a lot by year, wind and currents; Veabird's weekly sargassum report and each beach's page have the current forecast.
Is December hurricane season in Tampa Bay?: No. Storm risk is very low in December.
How crowded is Tampa Bay in December?: Typically busy, around Christmas & holiday break. The quietest months are usually September and October.

Plan it

Typical-month numbers from Veabird's year-ahead outlook for the 16 resorts here (median resort): 6 years of ERA5 climate normals, the seasonal pattern of the Atlantic sargassum belt, holiday crowd calendars and historical storm tracks. Any given year can differ; check the 16-day forecast before you go.