Key West in winter is warm, sunny, and just a little breezy—perfect for escaping colder climates. This quirky island paradise offers a laid-back atmosphere, Caribbean-style beaches, historic charm, and endless ocean views. Winter months (December to February) are peak season, thanks to the pleasant temps and minimal rainfall.
Expect daytime highs of 22–26°C (72–79°F) and cooler evenings around 17–20°C (63–68°F). It’s the perfect balance for wearing sundresses by day and light jackets by night. There’s little chance of rain, but breezes off the ocean can add a chill, so smart layering is key for comfort.
This all-inclusive Key West winter packing list covers beach gear, casual resort looks, skin essentials, and helpful extras for your sunny southern getaway—no heavy coats required!
📝Note: This article is all about what to pack for Key West in winter. Here you can find a huge and comprehensive list. Feel free to adapt to your needs, and share your tips in the comments!
Weather & Travel Context 🌦️
- 🌡️ Temperatures: 22–26°C (72–79°F) during the day
- 🌬️ Evenings: 17–20°C (63–68°F)
- 🌞 Mostly sunny, low rain chances
- 🌴 Ideal for water sports, beach lounging & walking tours
What to Pack for Key West in Winter
Packing smart will help you make the most of your trip. Here’s everything you need to bring for a comfortable and stylish adventure.
Carry-On Suitcase / Travel Bag Duffle / Portable Steamer / Packing cubes / Luggage scale / Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones / Speaker / Portable Charger / Universal Travel adapter / Compact Hair Dryer / Eye Mask / Waterproof Toiletry Bag Hanging / Zipper Pouch / Water BOTTLE / Liquid I.V. Hydration Vegan
🧳 Luggage & Packing Tools
If you want more options to have everything organized and well packed, take a look at these suggestions.
1. Rolling Backpack / 2. Luggage (large) / 3. Luggage (small) / 4. Toiletry Bag / 5. Beach Bag / 6. Backpack / 7. Packing Cubes
- 🧳 Carry-on suitcase – Enough for light island outfits
- 🧵 Packing cubes – Separate beachwear from casual clothes
- 👞 Shoe bags – Sand stays off your outfits
- 🧼 Toiletry kit – Waterproof and beach-safe
- 📁 Travel wallet – Keep ID, cards, and reservations organized
- 👜 Daypack or beach tote – For outings or lounging poolside
- 🧺 Laundry bag – For swimsuits and activewear
- ⚖️ Luggage scale – If you plan to shop
- 🔒 TSA lock – Extra peace of mind when flying
- 🧻 Quick-dry towel – Perfect for beach hopping
- 🛏️ Neck pillow – If you’re driving in from Miami
- 😴 Eye mask – Great for naps or bright vacation mornings
👗 Clothes
- 👕 Lightweight tops & tanks (4–6) – Easy, breezy and breathable
- 👚 Blouses or short-sleeve shirts (2–3) – Casual to dinner-ready
- 🧥 Light jacket or cardigan – For breezy evenings
- 🩳 Shorts (2–3) – Cotton or linen is best
- 👖 Linen pants or flowy trousers (1–2) – Ideal for dinner out
- 👗 Sundresses or maxi dresses (2–3) – Perfect for daytime and sunset strolls
- 🩱 Swimsuits (2–3) – You’ll use them daily
- 👘 Swimsuit cover-up – For beach-to-bar transitions
- 🏃 Activewear set – For watersports or exploring by bike
- 🛌 Pajamas – Lightweight sets for warmer nights
- 🩲 Breathable underwear – Comfortable in humid air
- 🧦 No-show socks – Minimal, mostly for sneakers
💆 Skincare
- 🧴 Gentle cleanser – To wash off sunscreen and sweat
- 🧪 Toner – Refreshing post-beach or post-sun
- 🧴 Lightweight moisturizer – Hydration without heaviness
- 🌞 Reef-safe SPF 50+ – Daily essential
- 🧼 Micellar water – Quick cleanse option
- 🧽 Exfoliator – 1–2 times weekly for smooth skin
- 👁️ Eye cream – For tired, sun-exposed eyes
- 💦 Facial mist – Keep fresh while walking Duval Street
- 😷 Sheet masks – Rehydrate after beach time
- 💋 Lip balm with SPF – Lips burn easily in the sun
- 🎯 Spot treatment – In case of vacation breakouts
💄 Makeup
- 💄 Tinted sunscreen or BB cream – Lightweight, sun-safe base
- 🕳️ Concealer – For nights out or quick fixes
- 🧼 Setting powder – Help fight humidity
- 🌸 Cream blush – Natural sun-kissed glow
- ✨ Highlighter – Perfect for golden hour selfies
- 🌞 Bronzer – Optional for island glow
- 🎨 Mini palette – Think coral and bronze tones
- ✏️ Waterproof eyeliner – Windy days = watery eyes
- 👁️ Waterproof mascara – Beach-proof beauty
- 💎 Brow gel – Define without overdoing
- 💋 Lip gloss or tinted balm – Lightweight and glossy
- 💦 Setting spray – Lock in glam under the sun
- 🖌️ Brush kit – Minimal and compact
💇 Hair Care
- 🖌️ Detangling brush – For post-swim tangles
- 🪢 Hair ties & clips – Easy pool-to-dinner styles
- 🧴 Nourishing shampoo & conditioner – Saltwater recovery
- 🌬️ Dry shampoo – Skip a wash, save time
- 🔥 Heat protectant – If you’re styling for dinner
- 🌊 Leave-in conditioner – Combat frizz and dryness
- 💨 Hair dryer – Many hotels have one, but double check
- 🧊 Curling wand or flat iron – For styled evenings
- 💧 Anti-humidity serum – Frizz control in ocean air
- 👒 Sun hat – Shields both scalp and style
👟 Shoes & Accessories
- 🩴 Flip-flops – Absolute must for beach & pool
- 👟 Sneakers – For bike tours or walking Key West
- 🥿 Sandals – Cute pair for restaurants and shops
- 🧢 Baseball cap or wide-brim hat – Sun protection in style
- 🧣 Light scarf – Evening layer or chic wrap
- 🕶️ Sunglasses – Polarized preferred for ocean glare
- 💍 Simple jewelry – Avoid anything too valuable
- ⌚ Watch – Waterproof if possible
- 👜 Crossbody or beach tote – Daytime convenience
- 🌂 Packable umbrella – Light showers can surprise
📑 Documents & Essentials
- 🪪 Government-issued ID – Required for flights & bars
- 🎫 Printed confirmations – Hotel, car rental, and tickets
- 📄 Travel insurance – Optional but smart
- 🗺️ Offline maps – Signal may drop at times
- 💳 Credit/debit cards – Widely accepted
- 💵 Small bills – For tips, meters, and quick buys
- 📍 Emergency contacts – Both printed and digital
- 🧾 Folder – Hold receipts and important docs
- 🖊️ Pen – Always handy for forms or notes
- 👛 RFID wallet – Secure your identity
🚑 First Aid
- 🩹 Band-aids – For flip-flop blisters
- 🧻 Antiseptic wipes – Clean scrapes and hands
- 🩺 Pain relief – For sun fatigue or travel headaches
- 🩸 Feminine products – Bring your preferred brands
- ✂️ Tweezers & clippers – Useful on any trip
- 🌡️ Thermometer – Optional but helpful
- 🧴 Cotton pads or Q-tips – For skincare or first aid
🧼 Health & Hygiene
- 💊 Daily prescriptions – With RX label
- 😷 Face masks – For flights or indoor areas
- 💊 Vitamins or supplements – Keep your energy up
- 🧼 Hand sanitizer – Beaches and bikes = germs
- 🧻 Travel wipes – Sticky hands and sandy feet
- ❤️ Contraceptives – Always plan ahead
- 👁️ Eye drops – For salt and wind exposure
- 🪞 Mirror – Compact for touch-ups
- 🪥 Toothbrush + toothpaste
- 🧵 Floss – Never skip it on vacation
- 🧴 Deodorant – Freshness in Florida heat
- 🪒 Razor – Smooth for beach days
- 💅 Nail kit – Chips happen on vacation
- 🌸 Body spray or light perfume – Fresh island scent
📱 Tech & Electronics
- 📱 Smartphone – Essential for everything
- 📷 Camera – Optional if phone camera is great
- 🔌 Chargers – For phone, watch, and more
- 🔋 Power bank – Stay charged during day trips
- 📎 Cord organizer – No more cable tangles
- 🔌 US plugs – No adapter needed
- 💽 Extra SD card – If you’re snapping a lot
- 📖 E-reader – Lounge and read by the pool
- 🎧 Headphones – For travel and beach vibes
- 📱 Offline travel apps – Maps, weather, activities
🎧 Entertainment
- 📚 Paperback or Kindle – Key West is made for lazy reads
- 🎬 Downloaded movies or shows – Wi-Fi can vary
- 🎧 Vacation playlists – Reggae, acoustic, or beachy vibes
- 📓 Journal – Write or sketch during your trip
- 🎲 Travel games – Cards or mini sets for downtime
- 📰 Magazine – Great for pool or hammock lounging
🎁 Extras
- 🥨 Snacks – Protein bars for excursions or beach
- 💧 Reusable water bottle – Stay hydrated
- 🛍️ Foldable shopping bag – For souvenirs and snacks
- 🧼 Travel detergent sheets – Wash swimwear if needed
- 🧵 Sewing kit – Wardrobe backup
- 📣 Safety whistle – Good for solo travelers
- 🧽 Lint roller – For evening outfits
- 🦶 Inflatable footrest – Useful on the journey
- 👃 Shoe deodorizer – For sandy flip-flops
- 🌙 Melatonin – For adjusting sleep to vacation mode
🌍 Travel Tips
- 🧥 Pack versatile layers – warm days, cool nights
- 📲 Download Key West apps and walking guides
- 📸 Snap your passport and luggage info
- 🏦 Notify your bank of travel plans
- 🧴 Apply sunscreen before leaving your hotel
- 🚲 Rent a bike—it’s the best way to get around
🛂 Visa Tips
- 🇺🇸 No visa needed for U.S. citizens
- 🛂 Bring valid photo ID or passport
- ✈️ Keep travel confirmations printed or saved offline
- 🧳 Pack essentials in your carry-on
- 🔍 Check U.S. entry rules if traveling internationally first
⭐ Must-Haves
- 🛂 Photo ID or passport
- 🩱 Swimsuit + cover-up
- 🌞 Reef-safe sunscreen
- 🕶️ Sunglasses + sunhat
- 👜 Beach bag or crossbody
- 📱 Phone + charger
- 💳 Credit cards + small cash
- 💧 Refillable water bottle
- 🧴 Lip balm + face mist
- 🎫 Confirmations + itinerary
👍 Good-to-Have
- 🎧 Noise-canceling headphones
- 🛍️ Shopping tote for Duval Street
- 🏷️ Luggage tags
- 📶 Roaming plan or SIM card
- 🦴 Footrest for long drives/flights
- 😴 Eye mask + melatonin
