How warm is Tampa Bay in March?

Typical highs are about 78°F and the sea is about 70°F. The water is on the cool side for long swims.

Is there sargassum in Tampa Bay in March?

In a typical year seaweed is very low in March. 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 March hurricane season in Tampa Bay?

No. Storm risk is very low in March.

How crowded is Tampa Bay in March?

Typically very busy, around College & school spring break and Semana Santa / Easter. The quietest months are usually September and October.

Tampa Bay in March

March is a good month for Tampa Bay: a typical day grades A-, the 4th best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 78°F, water around 70°F and about a 26% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually very low in March. Beaches are typically very busy (College & school spring break and Semana Santa / Easter).

Typical dayA-4th of 12 months

Highs / water78°FSea 70°F

Rain chance26%on a given day

SeaweedVery lowtypical year

CrowdsVery busyCollege & school spring break

Storm riskVery lowoutside storm season

Tampa Bay month by month

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

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

Best beaches in Tampa Bay in March

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

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

Further afield: Huatulco (A), the Yucatán Gulf Coast (A) and Puerto Vallarta (A-). Every destination in March.

Questions

Is March a good time to visit Tampa Bay?: March is a good month for Tampa Bay: a typical day grades A-, the 4th best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 78°F, water around 70°F and about a 26% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually very low in March. Beaches are typically very busy (College & school spring break and Semana Santa / Easter).
How warm is Tampa Bay in March?: Typical highs are about 78°F and the sea is about 70°F. The water is on the cool side for long swims.
Is there sargassum in Tampa Bay in March?: In a typical year seaweed is very low in March. 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 March hurricane season in Tampa Bay?: No. Storm risk is very low in March.
How crowded is Tampa Bay in March?: Typically very busy, around College & school spring break and Semana Santa / Easter. 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.