How warm is Tampa Bay in September?

Typical highs are about 87°F and the sea is about 86°F. That is warm enough for long swims without a wetsuit.

Is there sargassum in Tampa Bay in September?

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

September falls in the tropical storm season; the typical risk on a given day is high. It peaks in September. Travel insurance and flexible bookings help.

How crowded is Tampa Bay in September?

Typically moderate, around Labor Day weekend and Mexican Independence Day. The quietest months are usually September and October.

Tampa Bay in September

September is a middling month for Tampa Bay: a typical day grades B, the 8th best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 87°F, water around 86°F and about a 70% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually low in September. Beaches are typically moderate (Labor Day weekend and Mexican Independence Day). It is hurricane season, with high storm risk.

Typical dayB8th of 12 months

Highs / water87°FSea 86°F

Rain chance70%on a given day

SeaweedLowtypical year

CrowdsModerateLabor Day weekend

Storm riskHighhurricane season

Tampa Bay month by month

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

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

Best beaches in Tampa Bay in September

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

Beach	Typical Sep	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+
Cedar Key Waterfront Hotels	B+	Low	SatB+SunB+MonBTueB-WedB
Postcard Inn on the Beach	B+	Low	SatB+SunA-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 September

Elsewhere in Florida & the Gulf Coast, South Padre & the Coastal Bend (B+) usually grades higher in September. Further afield: Maui (A), Oʻahu (A) and Kauaʻi (A). Every destination in September.

Questions

Is September a good time to visit Tampa Bay?: September is a middling month for Tampa Bay: a typical day grades B, the 8th best of the 12 months. Expect highs near 87°F, water around 86°F and about a 70% chance of rain on a given day. Sargassum (seaweed) is usually low in September. Beaches are typically moderate (Labor Day weekend and Mexican Independence Day). It is hurricane season, with high storm risk.
How warm is Tampa Bay in September?: Typical highs are about 87°F and the sea is about 86°F. That is warm enough for long swims without a wetsuit.
Is there sargassum in Tampa Bay in September?: In a typical year seaweed is low in September. 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 September hurricane season in Tampa Bay?: September falls in the tropical storm season; the typical risk on a given day is high. It peaks in September. Travel insurance and flexible bookings help.
How crowded is Tampa Bay in September?: Typically moderate, around Labor Day weekend and Mexican Independence Day. 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.