Warmest Beaches in Florida in March
March may not sound like the most popular month to visit Florida for beach vacation. But in fact, if you know where to go, you can enjoy the state’s warm weather on some of the best Florida beaches and even have a very pleasant dip in the ocean.
In this article I’ll share with you the warmest beaches in Florida in March. In general, for the warmest weather and the warmest water temperature, you need to head to South Florida on the Atlantic Coast. Anywhere from the Florida Keys to Jupiter, including all the major destinations like South Beach, Key West, Hollywood Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach should be fine.
How Warm the Water in Florida in March Will Be?
The water in Florida in March won’t be balmy but it won’t be cold. For most people, water temperatures above 73 °F (the average for March at many South Florida Beaches) are fine for bathing without a wetsuit. You may need a minute or two to get used to the water. But afterward, you can stay comfortably, particularly when moving around, for at least 1-2 hours.
Temperatures above 77 °F, the maximum in March for even the warmest Florida beaches, are comfortable for almost everyone, barring those who get cold easily. If the weather is particularly warm and the Atlantic Ocean heats up as well, you’ll have a very enjoyable beach day.
Temperatures above 81 °F start to get very balmy. But such water temperatures don’t come to the Sunshine State until May/June.
Top 7 Warmest Beaches in Florida in March
Here are your best options to have a pleasant dip in the ocean and not freeze while relaxing at the beach. As an extra tip, if you want to go in March, it’s better to go in early March, before the spring break chaos ensues at many beaches of South Florida.
1. The Keys From Duck Key to Tavernier
According to the ocean temperature averages, the area between Duck Key and Tavarnier, including Islamorada and Plantation Key, has the warmest water temperature in March in Florida. The average is between 73.3 and 77.9 °F.
Unfortunately, this region isn’t particularly rich in nice beaches. The options starting from #4 will be better for most visitors wishing to enjoy the best beaches in Florida in March.
As for the air temperature, the average high temperature (during the day) in Islamorada in March is 78.1 °F. The average low temperature (at night) is 68.9 °F.
2. Key Largo
Key Largo records average water temperatures in March between 72.1 and 77 °F. Like the Keys between Duck Key and Tavarnier, there aren’t many beaches in this area so it isn’t that suitable for proper beach vacation. Still, the water is some of the warmest in the state. North Key Largo has slightly cooler water temperature between 71.3 and 76.4 °F.
As for the air temperature, the average high temperature (during the day) in Key Largo in March is 79.7 °F. The average low temperature (at night) is 66.8 °F. In other words, days are warmer in Key Largo than in Islamorada but nights are colder.
3. Biscayne Bay Beaches
Beaches on the Biscayne Bay, stretching from the Biscayne National Park to downtown Miami aren’t in particular abundance but they still belong to some of the warmest beaches in Florida in March. The ocean temperature is between 71.3 and 76.4 °F.
As for the air temperature, the average high temperature (during the day) in the Biscayne Bay area (data for Elliott Key Ranger Station) in March is 76.8 °F. The average low temperature (at night) is 66 °F.
4. From Miami Beach To Hollywood Beach
The beaches located anywhere from Miami Beach to Hollywood Beach, regardless which one you choose (whether it’s South Beach, North Beach, Haulover Beach, or Hollywood Beach), offer some of the warmest waters in Florida in March. The average temperature of the ocean in this month is between 71.3 and 76.4 °F.
As for the air temperature, the average high temperature (during the day) in Miami Beach in March is 76.5 °F. The average low temperature (at night) is 65.2 °F.
This area offers some of the nicest beaches in South Florida while also offering some of the highest temperatures. If you want to visit Florida in March and not only enjoy the beach but also the neighboring areas, this region is one of your best options.
5. Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale has slightly cooler water than the area between Miami Beach to Hollywood Beach. Average temperatures are between 70.9 and 76 °F.
As for the air temperature, the average high temperature (during the day) in Fort Lauderdale in March is 79.7 °F. The average low temperature (at night) is 65.6 °F. This means that Fort Lauderdale has slightly colder water than Miami Beach but has a slightly warmer climate.
6. The Keys From Key West to Marathon
The area stretching from Key West to Marathon, including Stock Island, Big Coppitt Key, and Cudjoe Key records average water temperatures in March between 70.6 and 75.9 °F.
As for the air temperature, the average high temperature (during the day) in Key West in March is 79.6 °F. The average low temperature (at night) is 69.3 °F.
Key West and Marathon are two of the hottest cities in the US. They also get abundant sunshine, meaning that even in March, you’ll feel like on your summer vacation.
7. From Boca Raton to Jupiter
The coastal cities from Boca Raton to Jupiter, including West Palm Beach, record water temperatures between 70.9 and 75.6 °F. This is roughly the same as in Key West, though the minimum temperature is a little higher and the maximum temperature is a little lower.
As for the air temperature, the average high temperature (during the day) in West Palm Beach in March is 79.6 °F. The average low temperature (at night) is 63 °F. This makes it the area with the coldest nights in this ranking.
Florida Beaches That Will Be Too Cold
Can you still enjoy the ocean in Central Florida or North Florida? Maybe in Central Florida up to Cocoa Beach but not so much further north. Cocoa Beach in March will be between 69.6 and 73.2 °F.
New Smyrna Beach and Daytona Beach will already be much cooler (62.4 and 67.3 °F) while Jacksonville will be outright cold (58.1 and 63.2 °F).
The Gulf Coast is also not such a great idea. It will be much colder than the Atlantic Ocean, including in Naples, Cape Coral, Fort Myers (65.3 and 70.8 °F) and further north in Venice, Sarasota, or Clearwater Beach (64 and 69.4 °F).
Northwest Florida, with places like Panama City Beach or Destin (61.5 and 66.3 °F), is only suitable for beach vacation in the summer.
Further Reading
If you want to read more about Florida, you may also want to read my articles on the warmest cities in Florida and cities with the best weather in Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions
The warmest places in Florida in March are in South Florida. You’ll enjoy the warmest weather in the Keys as well as in Miami.
South Florida is warm enough to swim in March. The average temperature of water reaches about 74-75 °F which is comfortable enough for most people.
Clearwater Beach has relatively warm weather in March but the water temperature is too low for swimming. Air temperature in March is about 75 °F during the day but water temperature is on average only 67 °F.
You can swim in Cocoa Beach in March though if you’re sensitive to cold, it may be a little too chilly. The average water temperature in Cocoa Beach in March ranges from 69.6 to 73.2 °F.
The beaches southeast of Orlando like Cocoa Beach will be warm enough for swimming. The beaches northeast of Orlando like New Smyrna Beach will be too cold for most people.
March will be too cold for swimming in Tampa for most people. The average water temperature in March ranges from 64 to 69.4 °F.
Miami Beach is more than warm enough to swim in March. The ocean temperature is between 71.3 and 76.4 °F which is warm enough for most people, particularly if it’s at or above its average temperature of 73.85 °F.