Florida Keys Boating Forecast

Key Largo to Key West

Today's go / no-go call for Florida Keys, with wind, seas, tides, water clarity, and a captain's strategy note. Below is a real sample report so you can see exactly what you get every morning.

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Boating in Florida Keys

Channels & Crossings
  • ·Hawk Channel (Atlantic side)
  • ·Snake Creek and Whale Harbor Channel
  • ·Channel Two and Channel Five
  • ·Moser Channel (Seven Mile Bridge)
  • ·Bahia Honda Channel and Key West Harbor
Key Cities & Launch Areas
  • ·Key Largo
  • ·Islamorada
  • ·Marathon
  • ·Big Pine Key and Key West
Typical Conditions

Prevailing easterly trades set up most days; the Atlantic (ocean) side and the Gulf (bay) side trade places depending on wind direction, so there is almost always a lee somewhere. Reef seas build quickly when the wind turns east or southeast.

Sample daily forecast

A recent Boating Window report for Florida Keys. Open it on its own page.

Sample report. This is not a live forecast.
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Florida Keys

Key Largo to Key West

Boating Window
Daily Boating Decision Intelligence for Florida Keys

Boating Window Report - Sample

Key Largo to Key West

DECISION:
GO
GO - Morning window is good before winds build to 10-15 knots. Launch early, return by noon to avoid afternoon chop and thunderstorms.
Forecast Confidence
High
Hazard Flag
All Clear
No advisories in effect
Trend
Winds increasing from 10 knots early to 10-15 knots by midday with seas building to light to moderate chop, afternoon thunderstorms possible.
Day Arc
morning
GO
6:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Best window of the day with east to southeast 10 knot winds and 2-foot seas with light chop, comfortable conditions before buildup begins.
afternoon
GO
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Winds increase to 10-15 knots with light to moderate chop developing, scattered thunderstorms possible after 1 PM, still manageable but less comfortable.
evening
GO
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Winds hold 10-15 knots with thunderstorm chance continuing, seas subside to 1-2 feet, acceptable for experienced captains monitoring weather.
Overall: GO
GO - Morning window is good before winds build to 10-15 knots. Launch early, return by noon to avoid afternoon chop and thunderstorms.
Launch by 7:00 AM - Return by 11:30 AM
Sea Conditions
Wind
East to southeast 10-15 knots
East to southeast winds near 10 knots this morning, increasing to 10-15 knots by midday and holding through afternoon. Typical June pattern with building sea breeze component.
Seas
Nearshore
Around 2 feet, becoming light to moderate chop
Offshore
2-3 feet
Sea State
Light to moderate chop
Hawk Channel starting around 2 feet with light chop early, building to light to moderate chop as winds increase to 10-15 knots. Florida Bay remains light chop throughout. Straits 2-3 feet.
Environment
Air Temp
82-88F
Water Temp
86-88F
Swim Comfort
Excellent - water 86F, calm early
Visibility
Good, 5-7 miles
Sky & Safety
Sunrise
6:32 AM
Sunset
8:17 PM
UV Index
10 — Very High
Rain Chance
50%
Afternoon and evening, scattered thunderstorms developing after 1 PM
Advisories
All Clear
No advisories in effect
  • ·Winds building to 10-15 knots by midday
  • ·Afternoon thunderstorms developing after 1 PM
  • ·Moderate chop Hawk Channel by noon
Wind & Wave Forecast
Nearshore (0-20 nm)
morning
Wind: East to southeast 10 knots
Seas: Around 2 feet, light chop
Bay: Light chop
midday
Wind: East to southeast 10-15 knots
Seas: Around 2 feet, light to moderate chop
Bay: Light chop
evening
Wind: East to southeast 10-15 knots
Seas: 1-2 feet, light to moderate chop
Bay: Light chop
→ Morning offers the best nearshore window with light chop before winds build to 10-15 knots by midday and afternoon thunderstorms develop.
Offshore (20-60 nm)
morning
Wind: East to southeast 10-15 knots
Seas: 2-3 feet
midday
Wind: East to southeast 10-15 knots
Seas: 2-3 feet
evening
Wind: East to southeast 10-15 knots
Seas: 2-3 feet
→ Offshore Straits run 2-3 feet all day with steady 10-15 knot winds - acceptable for experienced offshore captains but morning departure recommended before thunderstorms.
Water Clarity Index

Actual water color across Florida Keys — not generic ratings.

Key Largo / Upper Keys
green-blue
Islamorada
green-blue
Marathon / Boot Key
green
Lower Keys / Big Pine
green-blue
Key West / Northwest Channel
blue-green
Backcountry / Florida Bay
green

No other forecast shows you where the water is actually clear.

Regional Tide Intel

Tide & Current Flow by Region

How tide direction is impacting boating conditions

Upper Keys / Key Largo

  • ·Falling tide through 10:33 AM pulls water through channels
  • ·Incoming afternoon tide improves backcountry and Basin access
  • ·Channel 2 and Channel 5 run strong on falling water

Middle Keys / Islamorada

  • ·Morning falling tide creates current through Whale Harbor channel
  • ·Afternoon incoming tide fills backcountry by evening
  • ·Snake Creek and Lignumvitae passages run strong mid-morning

Marathon / Boot Key Harbor

  • ·Incoming tide peaks 9:09 AM, excellent harbor exit timing
  • ·Falling tide afternoon pulls through Boot Key Channel
  • ·Seven Mile Bridge current builds after 3:32 PM low

Lower Keys / Key West

  • ·Falling tide through 12:37 PM pushes Northwest Channel
  • ·Morning high at 6:02 AM offers calm harbor departure
  • ·Backcountry cuts and channels run strong late morning
Regional Boating Intel

Coastal Conditions by Region

How conditions vary across Key Largo to Key West today

Key Largo / Ocean Reef

  • ·Hawk Channel 2 feet early, building to moderate chop
  • ·Offshore Straits 2-3 feet with 10-15 knot winds
  • ·Best window before 11 AM on ocean side

Islamorada / Whale Harbor

  • ·Hawk Channel light to moderate chop by midday
  • ·Bayside remains protected and calm all day
  • ·Early launch recommended for Atlantic side trips

Marathon / 7 Mile Bridge

  • ·Bridge area builds to moderate chop by noon
  • ·Gulf side calmer with 1-2 foot seas maximum
  • ·Morning offers best offshore reef conditions

Key West / Marquesas

  • ·Straits 2-3 feet with building easterly wind
  • ·Northwest passage remains protected and calm
  • ·Marquesas run best completed before noon today
Best Region Today
Florida Bay offers the calmest conditions today with light chop throughout, protected from the building easterly winds affecting Hawk Channel.
Best Use Case
Early morning Hawk Channel trips before winds build, or all-day Florida Bay exploration for calm protected waters.
Return Ride
Return by noon on Hawk Channel before moderate chop and afternoon thunderstorms develop, bayside remains comfortable through afternoon.
Bill's Strategy Note

"Conditions start calm with 10 knot winds and 2-foot seas, building to 10-15 knots with moderate chop by midday, afternoon thunderstorms possible. Best approach is early departure to complete your run before conditions build. Launch by 7 AM, return by 11:30 AM."

7 Day Boating Outlook

Weekly Boating Decision Intelligence for planning your best days on the water

Thursday
GO
All day favorable
Afternoon thunderstorms possible, otherwise excellent
Friday
GO
All day excellent
Light afternoon thunderstorm chance only
Saturday
GO
All day excellent
Isolated thunderstorms possible late afternoon
Sunday
GO
All day favorable
Very light winds, afternoon thunderstorm chance
Monday
GO
All day favorable
Light southeast winds, typical summer pattern
Tuesday
GO
All day favorable
Continued light winds, isolated storms possible
Wednesday
GO
All day favorable
Southeast flow continues, typical June conditions
Weekly Strategy

"Today offers good morning conditions before winds build to 10-15 knots and afternoon thunderstorms develop. Thursday through Saturday show improving trend with lighter winds 5-10 knots and calmer seas, excellent for all-day trips. Sunday into early next week remains light and favorable."

Forecast Confidence

High confidence - stable June pattern with typical afternoon buildup.

Boating Window delivers daily and weekly Boating Decision Intelligence for Florida Keys. Sent daily by 5:00 PM.

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Boating Window delivers daily and weekly Boating Decision Intelligence for Florida Keys. Sent daily by 5:00 PM.