How warm is Tampa Bay in May?

Typical highs are about 87°F and the sea is about 83°F. That is warm enough for long swims without a wetsuit.

Is there sargassum in Tampa Bay in May?

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

No. Storm risk is very low in May.

How crowded is Tampa Bay in May?

Typically busy, around Memorial Day weekend. The quietest months are usually September and October.

Tampa Bay in May

May is one of the best months to visit Tampa Bay: a typical day grades A-, the 1st best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 87°F, water around 83°F and about a 41% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually low in May. Beaches are typically busy (Memorial Day weekend).

Typical dayA-1st of 12 months

Highs / water87°FSea 83°F

Rain chance41%on a given day

SeaweedLowtypical year

CrowdsBusyMemorial Day weekend

Storm riskVery lowoutside storm season

Tampa Bay month by month

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

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

Best beaches in Tampa Bay in May

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

Beach	Typical May	Seaweed	This week
Treasure Island Beach Resorts	A	Very low	SatA-SunA-MonBTueB+WedA-
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa	A	Very low	SatB+SunB+MonA-TueB+WedB+
Opal Sands Resort	A	Very low	SatB+SunB+MonA-TueB+WedB+
Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach	A	Very low	SatB+SunB+MonA-TueB+WedB+
Sandpearl Resort	A	Very low	SatB+SunB+MonA-TueB+WedB+
Plantation on Crystal River	A	Very low	SatBSunA-MonB+TueB-WedB+
Postcard Inn on the Beach	A	Very low	SatB+SunA-MonBTueB+WedB+
Cedar Key Waterfront Hotels	A-	Low	SatB+SunB+MonBTueB-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 May

Further afield: Puerto Vallarta (A), Los Cabos (A) and Maui (A). Every destination in May.

Questions

Is May a good time to visit Tampa Bay?: May is one of the best months to visit Tampa Bay: a typical day grades A-, the 1st best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 87°F, water around 83°F and about a 41% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually low in May. Beaches are typically busy (Memorial Day weekend).
How warm is Tampa Bay in May?: Typical highs are about 87°F and the sea is about 83°F. That is warm enough for long swims without a wetsuit.
Is there sargassum in Tampa Bay in May?: In a typical year seaweed is low in May. 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 May hurricane season in Tampa Bay?: No. Storm risk is very low in May.
How crowded is Tampa Bay in May?: Typically busy, around Memorial Day weekend. 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.